Uisge Ban Falls Provincial Park

Another provincial park, this one in Victoria County in Cape Breton, only a few miles from Baddeck. The park is easily reachable by car and offers a spectacular water falls and hiking trails along the river through a wonderful forest.

The forest path along the river is littered with large rocks, some of which are entwined with the roots of trees. How in the world could a tree survive and grow in that location? 

The 20-minute walk leads up the river ravine into a rock-walled chasm that grows deeper and deeper, with sides reaching 500 feet at the falls. The Uisge Ban Falls tumble down in two stages - impossible to photograph adequately - and offer lots of viewing angles. 

There is a longer hike back to the parking lot, through a mile or two of sugar maple (seen here), birch, spruce and white pine. Loads of lichens and mosses and nothing but the sounds of birds, small mammals and the river. Definitely one of our favorite places.