Description
- Google Maps Name
- Not Shown
- Local Names
- Fair Alistair’s Trail, Fair Alistair’s Mountain Trail, the Beinn Alasdair Bhain (pronounced [bɛn.ˈæl.ɪs.dɛr.ˈvæn]) Trail
- Direction
- South to North
- Start Point
- 46°08.550′N 61°26.834′W, in MacDonalds Glen at the Mabou Post Road Trail Head, below Cnoc Aitein (Sandy’s Hill)
- End Point
- 46°09.73?′N 61°26.01?′W, in MacKinnons Brook at the three-way junction of the MacKinnons Brook Trail (just past the MacKinnons Brook Trail Head), the Cul Na Beinne (Beyond the Mountain) Trail (also known as MacKinnons Brook Lane), and the Beinn Alasdair Bhain (Fair Alistair’s Mountain) Trail
- Length
- Approximately 3 km (1⅞ mi)
- Classification
- Hiking Trail
- Surface
- Footpath and two-track-with-crown lane
- Condition
- A very short stretch just after the Mabou Post Road Trail Head is sometimes a bit muddy; otherwise, the trail is a footpath in generally excellent condition. The last portion of the trail follows a driveable two-track-with-crown lane.
- Route Description
- From the Mabou Post Road Trail Head, the trail climbs smartly up Beinn Alasdair Bhain (Fair Alistair’s Mountain), with many open views of the area to the south as it proceeds along the side of the mountain. At the summit, a short side trail leads to an open meadow with fantastic views of the Cape Mabou Highlands, Mabou Coal Mines, and the Colindale Shore as far as Black Point to the north of Port Hood. The main trail continues past the side trail and quickly reaches the junction with the MacPhee Trail. The old trail is impenetrably blocked by extensive deadfalls at this point, so you need to follow the signage, which takes you along the MacPhee Trail to the ridge on which the relocated trail now descends (i.e., both trails now share a common segment). From the MacPhee Trail and descending the relocated trail, you will see stunning views of the MacKinnons Brook valley, Beinn Bhiorach (Steep Mountain) rising above the Gulf of St Lawrence, and the Cape Mabou Highlands to the northeast. Near the bottom, the trail passes through a gate and then follows MacKinnons Brook Lane, a very gentle downhill walk, to the three-way junction. This trail is one of the most glorious in the entire Cape Mabou Trail Club system. Highly recommended.
- Vic’s Scenic Rating
- ☆☆☆☆☆
- Notes
-
Purchase the Cape Mabou Trail Club Map, available in most local stores and establishments in Mabou and Inverness: as well as giving you a map of the trail system, it will provide you with great information in planning your hike and will allow you to incorporate other trails into your day hiking the Cape Mabou Highlands.
Due to extensive deadfalls from the spruce bark beetle, a section of this trail had to be relocated to an adjacent ridge in 2011. Follow the signage, not the trail map in this instance.
Small children need close supervision where sharp drop-offs are adjacent to the trail.
