Views from Le Chemin Cormier

Driving north along the Cabot Trail in Point Cross on the southern outskirts of Chéticamp, you will notice the world-famous Flora’s, a shop specializing in fine hooked rugs and other handcrafts created by local artisans, works that are always fascinating to check out, and providing as well a fine ice cream parlour for those less interested in these arts. At that point, the Cabot Trail follows the left fork of the Y into Chéticamp while the right fork, Chéticamp Back Road, climbs up a short hill on its way to Petit-Étang. A four corners is at the top of that hill, formed by Chemin LeFort (LeFort Road). Turn right onto Chemin Lefort and you will climb up towards the Highlands; eventually, you will be forced to turn left onto Mountain Road, from which there are fine views of Chéticamp Island and Chéticamp and the harbour in between the two. Mountain Road soon makes a sharp left turn and descends from its commanding heights; at its end, a junction with le Chemin Cormier (Cormier Road), turn right and continue down it to about 250 m/yds before its end on Chéticamp Back Road, where you will see in the distance the views on this page. This is a scenic detour that will more than repay your time on a fine day, offering many great views both of the Highlands and of the coastal area at their feet.

The views here are somewhat to the north of northeast. At the far left of both photos, one sees the summit of Jerome Mountain; directly below it and to its right is La Grande Falaise, seen on the previous page of this essay. It is surprising that its red hues do not come across as well here; instead, it is the snowy slopes to its left that catch the eye—not so in the summer time, I can assure you! The much lower ridge of Le Buttereau sits below the Highlands across the left half of photo #1 (and nearly all of photo #2), forming the western side of La Rigwash-à-Bernard, also seen previously. From these photos it is obvious why the views from L’Acadien (The Acadian Trail), which follows along the tops of the mountains here, are so fine, as they provide an unobstructed view of all of the surrounding coastal area.