Description
- Google Maps Name
- Not Shown
- Local Usage
- The Beinn Bhiorach (pronounced [bɛn.ˈvɪ.ɾɪʧ]) Trail, the Steep Mountain Trail
- Direction
- Southwest to Northeast
- Start Point
- Either junction of the Beinn Bhiorach Trail and the MacKinnons Brook Trail: 46°09.768′N 61°25.952′W (main trail), 46°09.936′N 61°26.079′W (cut-off trail to the shore)
- End Point
- 46°10.079′N 61°25.416′W, at the Beinn Bhiorach Trail Head
- Length
- 1.8 km (1⅛ mi)
- Classification
- Hiking Trail
- Surface
- Mixed tread (dirt/gravel/roots/grass), with long grassy stretches
- Condition
- gGood to excellent
- Route Description
- The Cape Mabou Trail Club Map shows two routes for this trail, both starting along the MacKinnons Brook Trail: the main trail is but a minute’s walk north from the MacKinnons Brook Trail Head, while the cut-off trail to the shore starts a few minutes further north, beyond the side trail to the Meadows. The main trail is an easier climb than the cut-off trail, which is steeper. I have not recently hiked the lower portion of the main trail, which passes through a spruce forest that has been decimated by the spruce bark beetle; it was blocked by deadfalls, but I am told that it is now again open. In 2013, I hiked the cut-off trail, which was in generally good shape. The two routes converge at GPS 46°09.894′N 61°25.990′W and thereafter follow a single course up and along the southwestern ridge of Beinn Bhiorach. Beyond the cut-off trail junction, the trail passes along the side of the ridge with good views to the south and southeast of the MacKinnons Brook valley and the Highlands across it. Part of the trail is through forest, but a good portion is through open grassy areas with excellent backwards views that improve the higher one goes. The climb is steady and moderate for much of the trail, but, as one approaches the summit, the trail gets much steeper and the tread turns to gravel and small stones. In spite of the stiff climb, this final, fairly short stretch is easier to ascend, because gravity and the surface stones make for treacherous footing when descending. Once at the summit, the trail continues across a grassy meadow to the trail head; a side trail part way to the trail head leads to the side of the mountain with spectacular views reaching as far as St Georges Bay on a clear day.
- 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.
- Comments
- In many ways, the summit Beinn Bhiorach is the focal point of the Cape Mabou Trail System, where three trails meet (and two others are close by), making it an ideal choice for any of several loop hikes. The magnificent panorama from the summit is unforgettable. On a day with good thermals, eagles are commonly seen in considerable numbers (I have seen twelve at once) riding them and socializing. On a clear day, Prince Edward Island can be seen without optics across the Gulf of St Lawrence.
