Water , water everywhere

The key to enjoying your travels along the Margaree Trail is the realization that no matter where you are in the Margaree Valley , you are on the water or very near the water. Check the map . 
The "Ocean"
The ocean coast along Route 219 and the Cabot Trail gives you ocean in many ways . You have the four beaches , namely Chimney Corner , Whale Cove , Margaree Harbour and Belle Cote . You have the place  names of Chimney Corner , Margaree Harbour, Belle Cote and Terre Noire .
You have the lighthouses , gift shops , artisants studios , stores and dining , but also a working wharf at the end of the Belle Cote Beach Road . 


And this is one of the few locations on Cape Breton Island where you are looking at sunsets on the ocean horizon with no obstructions !!!


The Rivers 
First , there is the Margaree River which begins way inland and flows out to the GULF of St. Lawrence at  Margaree Harbour (on the South side)  and Belle Cote on the North side , and along the way it brings in the South West Margaree river at Margaree Forks that begins in Lake Ainslie . This river system is famous for it's trout and salmon fishing . Also great for a canoe or kayak trip , as you have over 20 miles of river , you can then opt to go onto the ocean and browse the coastline 


The Lakes
There is the Lake o' law on the Cabot Trail as you enter  the Margaree valley travelling from Baddeck (the Clockwise Cabot trail route) ; 
Next is Lake Ainslie which is on Route 395 that comes to the Margaree River Valley from the Trans Canada 105 route by turning left at  Whycocomagh.

The Margaree River

The   first part of the puzzle is to understand that the Margaree River begins inland , maybe 30 miles or more inland at a source of water in what we call "the Highlands".

It then twists and turns through the valley to meet the ocean ( actually the Gulf of St. Lawrence ) at a harbour with the village of Margaree Harbour on the South, and village of Belle Cote on the North where all the fishing boats are sheltered. 

Along the way, many smaller "brooks" and the South West Margaree river flow into the main Margaree River. This is why we have so many , about 15 , village "settlements" along the way . Some early settlers arrived by crossing Cape Breton by land and river, while others arrived on the coast by  sailboat.

This photo is one of the many quiet places along the river between East Margaree and Margaree Harbour where you'll likely see some one in a canoe or a kayak, or fishing from the shore for trout.