Description
- Background
- This road is officially the Southwest Ridge Road, but it is also known as the Mabou Ridge Road, a name which is still found on some local road signs. Both names are in common local use; I do not know if this was always the case. Dan Hughie MacEachern’s well-known march, Trip to Mabou Ridge, celebrates this beautiful ridge, overlooking Mabou.
- Google Maps Name
- Southwest Ridge Road
- Local Names
- Southwest Ridge Road, Mabou Ridge Road
- Direction
- North to South
- Start Point
- 46°04.143′N 61°23.906′W, in Mabou at its junction with the Cèilidh Trail (Highway 19)
- End Point
- 46°00.214′N 61°22.627′W, at the junction of the Alpine Ridge Road, the Southwest Ridge (Mabou Ridge) Road, and the Whycocomagh Port Hood Road
- Length
- 7.7 km (4⅘ mi)
- Classification
- Local Road
- Surface
- Paved to the top of the ridge, gravel thereafter
- Condition
- Good to excellent
- Route Description
- This road quickly reaches a Y with the Rankinville Road; bear right and continue up the ridge. Once you have gained a little height, the views will open up on your left; you will want to go slowly for the fine views of the area to the east. From the summit, you have views reaching to the Gulf of St Lawrence at the mouth of the Mabou River. Over the summit and on the way down into the Mull River Valley, there are fine views of the area to the south. This road offers even better views on the return trip, with views of Mabou village nestled at the base of Mabou Mountain and of the Cape Mabou Highlands adding their beauty to the road.
- Vic’s Scenic Rating
- ☆☆☆☆☆
