Where to Find Us
Cabot Trail Writers Festival 2012
This year, our festival will be presented at North River, on the St. Ann's Bay loop of the Cabot Trail—the Artisans' Loop. This stretch of the Trail is called a loop because it does loop around the body of water called St. Ann's Bay. Watch for lots of dazzling views!
Click the map on this page for a larger version that can be printed.
Our main venues are almost exactly at the middle of the route between Exits 11 and 12 off Highway 105 (on the Island, this is the Trans Canada Highway). One route, using Exit 11, takes you first past the Gaelic College, and then on to North River. Exit 12 starts you at the opposite end of the route. You'll find great views on both routes; Exit 11 features St. Ann's Bay, an inlet from the sea, along with rivers and brooks heading out. Exit 12 adds sea views and an interesting cable ferry ride at Englishtown.
The Festival Venues
There are four venues for this year's festival.
They are within walking
distance of each other, for reasonably comfortable walkers.
Most events share the main venue; for workshops, there are
two satellite venues, and Saturday's supper is at a fourth.
Accessibility—unfortunately, we cannot offer fully wheel-chair-accessible venues. Most venues are accessible with some minor assistance, but we cannot provide wheelchair-accessible washrooms at North River Hall or Shape Shift Retreat. We are sorry for this inconvenience. If you are wondering about your specific circumstances, please do contact us with your questions.
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North River Community Hall
37 Oregon Road, North River - Site of most events and activities of the festival.
- Turn onto the Oregon Road (only one direction is possible); the Hall is the second building on the left.
- Free parking on road and on site.
- Accessibility: accessible entrance is at the front of the building. Washrooms are not wheel-chair accessible.
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Shape Shift Pottery: Retreat Hall
31 Oregon Road, North River Bridge - Site of two of Saturday's workshops.
- Turn onto the Oregon Road (only one direction is possible); the Retreat is in the first building on the left (a white historic former schoolhouse), through the entrance at the left side of that building.
- Free parking on road and on site.
- Next door to main Hall.
- Accessibility: porch stairs, step up/down to washroom.
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Walsh-MacDonald Residence
24 Meadow Road, North River Bridge - Site of two of Saturday's workshops.
- Turn into the Meadow Road at the western side of the main bridge at the North River. The house is at the second driveway on the right (immediately after the Volunteer Fire Department shed).
- Free parking on road.
- 10-minute scenic stroll from main Hall.
- Accessibility: two steps up at main entrance.
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St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church:
Memorial Hall
42462 Cabot Trail, North River Bridge - Site of Saturday's supper.
- The Church is on the north-east side of the Trail, in its own little valley beside the North River; it sits opposite the entrance to the Murray Road.
- If you are travelling from Exit 12 or northeastern Cape Breton, the Church is just before the North River bridge, on your right.
- Free parking on site.
- 10-minute scenic walk from main Hall.
- Accessibility: Memorial Hall is downstairs. Fully accessible washrooms.
Driving Directions
A few notes about construction delays
We have flagged projects on local routes in the sections below, but there are others to note that may affect your drive times.
Twinning along Highway 125, the Sydney bypass, continues this year. As well, there are numerous repaving projects, and a couple of twinning projects, along Highway 104, which is the only route onto Cape Breton Island.
Nova Scotia's road condition hotline offers current traffic information: dial 511 on your mobile or landline phone. You can enter the number of the specific highway for which you want a report. The Cabot Trail is "30", and the 100-series routes are their 3-digit numbers.
From the North
Ingonish Route
If you are travelling south from Ingonish and points further north, simply follow the Cabot Trail to the Barachois River. Here, a flashing overhead light marks the right turn that continues the Cabot Trail onto the Artisans' Loop. Turn right, and continue along the Trail for about 10 kilometres. Watch for the Oregon Road on your right (north side) for the main venues at North River.
Margaree Route
Note This section of the Cabot Trail is being improved this fall, between Cheticamp and Grand Étang. Expect construction delays, sometimes up to half an hour. Please allow extra time along this route.
Travelling south from Cheticamp, Margaree, Middle River, or other points along the western arm of the Cabot Trail, take Trans Canada Highway 105 East. At about 28 kilometres, turn left at Exit 11. The main venues at North River are about 18 kilometres from Exit 11.
If you are travelling to the main venue at North River, you can alternatively continue on to Exit 12 to try the cable ferry at Englishtown.
From the West
Coming from mainland Nova Scotia (and all points west, including New Brunswick and beyond, the US, and Prince Edward Island), you will enter Cape Breton at the Canso Causeway. The Causeway is served by two main routes, Highway 104 (Trans Canada) and the older, more scenic Highway 4.
From the Causeway crossing, make your way to Highway 105 through the roundabout (trend left into the roundabout, then take the second exit to the right, toward Baddeck). From the Causeway, it is about 115 kilometres to North River.
Once you have entered the Island and Highway 105, follow the directions for Exit 11 or Exit 12.
From the East
From the JA Douglas McCurdy/Sydney Airport
- Exiting north from the airport, turn left onto Grand Lake Road.
- At about 8 kilometres, turn left onto Highway 125 W at the lights.
- At about 28 kilometres, take Exit 1 W (toward Baddeck/Canso Causeway) onto Highway 105 (Trans Canada).
- Follow Highway 105 to Exit 12 or Exit 11 (about 32/36 kilometres).
From the Newfoundland Ferry
When you exit the Ferry, you will be driving onto Highway 105.
Simply remain on this route, heading toward Baddeck. About
35 kilometres on, watch for Exit 12
or Exit 11.
Exit 11
Note The Artisans' Loop section of the Cabot Trail is being improved this fall, between each end of Meadow Road (a very long "crescent". Expect construction delays, sometimes up to half an hour. Please allow extra time along this route.
From the Trans Canada Highway 105, take Exit 11 onto Cabot Trail; the Gaelic College is on the right just up this road. Follow the Trail around St. Ann's Bay to North River. When you have passed Meadow Road for the second time (it's a very, very long crescent), you will cross the North River bridge. The next left is Oregon Road. North River Community Hall is just a few hundred yards up this road, on the left. Total journey from the Exit is just under 18 kilometres.
Exit 12 : Cable Ferry
From the Trans Canada Highway 105, take Exit 12 to Route 312. Follow along through Englishtown to take the cable ferry Torquil MacLean (about 10 minutes). Turn left at the Ferry lane. A ferry ticket is $5.25 (operators can make some change), and the crossing takes about 5 minutes, depending on conditions. The ferry operates 24 hours a day, every day.
Off the ferry, continue along Route 312; eventually, this route merges with Cabot Trail at the flashing overhead light. Turn left at this light to enter the Artisans' Loop of the Cabot Trail. Continue along the Trail for about 10 kilometres. Watch for the Oregon Road on your right (north side). Total journey from the Exit is just under 18 kilometres.
Exit 11 or Exit 12?
There is a chance that the Ferry will not be running (generally, for reasons related to heavy weather). For those travelling from the west, just before you arrive at Exit 11, when you must make your choice, there is a sign that indicates (by flashing) that the Ferry is out of service. For those travelling from the east, Exit 12 is similarly marked. When the Ferry is not operating, use only Exit 11.
If North River is your destination, these routes are very similar in terms of time and distance. They are just a few kilometres apart along Highway 105, so your choice need not depend on whether you are coming from the east or the west. The Ferry route offers an interesting crossing, and the Loop route hosts many shops and businesses, as well as the Gaelic College. You may want to try each route, one coming, and one going!
