Join us for our social evenings!
Meet your fellow hikers and relax after a great day on the trails.
Evening presentations begin at 7:00 pm and last an hour. Here is last year’s (2012) schedule of events . 2013 coming in late April.
Friday, Sept. 14 - Opening Ceremonies, St. John’s Hall , 7 pm.
Description: A great evening is being organized to help the festival get off to a great start. There will be a show of the best photos from the Nature & Landscape Photography Workshop, Wally Hayes will be here to do a Wally Vision show, the Closing show of 2011 festival will be shown, a meet and greet, food and updates on the 2012 Festival.
Saturday, Sept. 15 – Moosebait.com, St. John’s Hall, 7 pm.
Description : Steven Rolls, founder and administrator of moosebait.com will be presenting a look at Cape Breton from the many hiking trails which cover our island. Touching on such topics as culture, history, friendships and hiking with kids, Steven will introduce you to Moosebait.com and the Cape Breton you will not find in the brochures. There is so much more to Cape Breton than that one iconic photo of the Cabot Trail winding itself through the Highlands.
Sunday, Sept. 16 – The Peaks – St. John’s Hall, 7 pm.
Description : Don’t miss shows on hiking Scafell Pike, England’s Highest Mountain at 3209 feet & the 2012 Cape Breton Highlands 3 Peaks Challenge with Tom Wilson.
Monday, Sept. 17 - Haunted Hike, Freshwater Lake, 7pm.
Description: As the darkness creeps in, listen for the haunting call of the loon , or will it be one of Ingonish’s ghosts ? As the moonbeams glisten on the lake you will become spellbound by the tales of this place.
Tuesday, Sept. 18 - A Taste of l’Acadie, Cheticamp Visitor Centre, 7 pm.
Description : Experience Acadian culture that lives on in Cheticamp! You’ll feel the pride of the Acadian people as you hear about the hardships they overcame and their innovative ways of living off the land. Songs and laughter guaranteed!
Wednesday, Sept. 19 – Sunset Hike (Skyline) 5 pm.
Description : Immerse yourself in nature’s masterpiece where the mountains truly meet the sea. You will be led thorough the boreal forest to witness a breathtaking sunset over the Atlantic Ocean 400 metres below. Don’t forget your camera : bald eagles, moose, and whales often make an appearance.
Thursday, Sept. 20 – Hiking the Blue Mountains, Australia
Description : There’s lots of great hiking in Australia’s National Parks. Our show will highlight our walking vacation in the Blue Mountains National Park, home of the three sisters. But, we also visited the twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park, towering waterfalls in Kondalilla Falls National Park and impressive ferns in Great Otway National Park amongst other great hiking memories. Presenters : Tim & Paula Reynolds.
Friday, Sept. 21 – Campfire , Ingonish, 7 pm.
Description: An evening of fun and relaxation. Enjoy sitting around the fire and chatting with your new hiker friends. The evening will have music, wiener roast and more. The campfire will take place on the beach between the two wharfs at North Ingonish not far from the festival headquarters.
Saturday, Sept. 22 – Closing Ceremonies, St. John’s Hall, 7 pm.
Description – A special evening to highlight and thank hikers, sponsors & partners of 2012 Hike the Highlands Festival. Presentation of the Hiker Distance Awards, Door prizes and the 2012 Closing Show.
Other Activities to do in the area:
1) Whale watching in Ingonish, Neil’s Harbour, Bay St. Lawrence, Pleasant Bay and Cheticamp. The Whale Interpretative Centre in Pleasant Bay is open 9-5 each day.
2) Visit Museums – North Highlands Community Museum, Cape North, Les Trois Pignons in Cheticamp,
3) Golf – Highlands Links in Ingonish Beach or Le Portage in Cheticamp
4) Enjoy the beaches at Ingonish Beach, Black Brook, North Bay, Neil’s Harbour, Cabot Landing Beach, Pleasant Bay & Cheticamp.
5) Kayaking – rent or take tours
6) Visit our artisans studios & craft shops in our communities
7) Enjoy evening entertainment in Ingonish & Cheticamp.