Hike the Highlands Festival https://www.hikethehighlands.com

The April 2009 issue of Backpacker magazine is out which features the Annual Gear Guide. This year Backpacker magazine features 521 reviews and skills. Of course there are the Editors’ Choice Awards, my favorite section,  as well the 10 page skills guide. The Annual gear guide looks at...Read more

What is the difference between nordic walking poles and trekking poles ?  I thought I would do some research and find out some answers for you. I have used both types while hiking but more with nordic walking poles as I own a pair of those – a one piece design.  However I did use […]Read more

The hiking schedule for the 2009 Hike the Highlands Festival has been announced and it includes nine new hikes.  They include White Point to Burnt Head, Coastal, Lone Sheiling, MacIntosh Brook, Robert’s Mountain, Red River to Black Brook, Red River to Otter Brook, Le Chemin du Buttereau,...Read more

Backpacker magazine  asked its readers the same question and in the March 2009 Issue of Backpacker  page 10, provided the results of their survey. a) Where would you go ? Top 3 – 45% said New Zealand would be the first choice, 16% Europe and 15% Australia.  b) What international...Read more

One of the great ways to stay in shape in the winter for hikers is to cross country ski.  In the highlands, we have a number of events,  but one that attracts alot of skiers is the the 2009 Trail Shop Marathon at North Highlands Nordic Ski Trails in Cape North.  This  event will take […]Read more

With eight winter storms to date,  it has been an interesting winter here on Cape Breton Island.  The last couple of weeks have been great seeing  birds and animals.  Michelle Sears from Halifax started things off by saying  she saw a Auk at Englishtown Ferry – see pic 2 below. Then...Read more

   It is a new year and with it comes goals & resolutions. Mine are simple – stay healthy and be physically active. One of the great ways to enjoy winter is to take part in outdoor activities.  Three popular outdoor physical activities are skating, cross country skiing and...Read more

  Here are some great ideas for christmas gifts for your hiker friends and for yourself :  a compass, first aid kit, smart wool socks, biners, thermometer, wool hat, gloves,  gaiters,  fleece jacket, stainless steel thermos, BPS or non- polycarbonate plastic water bottle, trekker/nordic...Read more

Life is full of adventures and one of  them for me is to hike the West Highland Way in Scotland. A 95 mile (152km) trek across the highlands in Scotland ending in Fort William, the outdoor capital of UK.  My wife and I are going to do the hike next September (2009) after the Hike […]Read more

Hiker Trish McCormick recently informed me that Hike the Highlands Festival has been recognized as a Nova Scotia Must by Allan Lynch in his new book (2008) ” Nova Scotia – Book of Musts -” the 101 Places every Nova Scotian Must See”.   Trish is one of Hike the Highlands...Read more