Description
- Background
- The Nova Scotia Atlas and the topographical map both identify the east bank of the Northeast Margaree River north of Sugarloaf Mountain as the locality of Kingross; the locality of Big Intervale is shown on the west bank. However, the church and the cemetery are both on the east bank and have names incorporating Big Intervale, so the local usage is at some variance with the geographical labels. I have chosen to follow the maps’ usage, as it adds a bit of clarity, but I suspect most of the remaining residents from either bank identify themselves as from Big Intervale rather than Kingross.
- Google Maps Name
- Kingross Crossing Road
- Local Usage
- Kingross Cross Road, Kingross Crossing Road
- Direction
- East to West
- Start Point
- 46°26.908'N 60°55.133'W, at its junction with the East Big Intervale Road
- End Point
- 46°26.980'N 60°55.660'W, at its junction with the West Big Intervale Road past the new Bailey bridge
- Length
- 730 m (½ mi)
- Classification
- Local Road
- Surface
- Gravel
- Condition
- Very good
- Route Description
- The Kingross Cross(ing) Road is a short connector road across the Kingross bight of the Northeast Margaree River, joining the East Big Intervale Road in Kingross to the (northern section of) the West Big Intervale Road in Big Intervale. It proceeds due west and passes by the entrance to the Big Intervale United Cemetery (in Kingross) at the 112 m (370 ft) mark; it then crosses three small bridges, the first over MacKenzies Brook at the 192 m (⅛ mi) mark, over an unnamed stream at the 314 m (⅕ mi) mark, and over another unnamed stream at the 465 m (0.3 mi) mark. The road then turns to the northwest and arrives at the new Bailey bridge over the Northeast Margaree River (the old green truss bridge sadly is no more) at the 670 m (⅖ mi) mark, where it again turns west and crosses the river, arriving immediately at the West Big Intervale Road on the west side. With the advent of the new Bailey bridge, a good-sized parking area is now available at the guardrails beside the bridge; it is a good place to leave one’s vehicle and stroll about—this area of the road is very scenic and the views from the bridge are superb.
- Vic’s Scenic Rating
- ☆☆☆☆☆
- Comments
- The scenic rating is not exclusively for the Kingross Cross(ing) Road, but for the views on the East Big Intervale Road, the views from the Kingross Cross(ing) Road, and the views from the West Big Intervale Road; if you make it as far as Kingross, you should definitely explore the cemetery, which offers superb views of the Cape Breton Highlands to the east and of Sugarloaf Mountain to the south, and drive the West Big Intervale Road south to its end at the Big Intervale Fishing Lodge. This is one of the finest backcountry drives in Cape Breton Island.
