Hostel HI - Cape Breton
HI - Cape Breton
Bear on the Lake Guesthouse
10705
Highway # 105
B0E 3M0 Aberdeen
Cape Breton Island
Canada
Tel.
+1.902.756.2750 or 1.866.718.5253 (Toll Free North America)
Customer Rating
| 99% | ||
| 98% | ||
| 96% | ||
| 94% | ||
| 92% | ||
| 91% | ||
| 100% | ||
Welcome to Cape Breton Island hostel - the traveler's home away from home! Sitting on Salt Mountain, overlooking the beautiful Bras D'or Lakes, we are minutes away from the world famous Cabot Trail, highlighting 300 km of ocean, mountains, wildlife and amazing views! Perfectly located with excellent facilities this hostel is one of the HI network of hostels in Canada and one of three HI hostels in Nova Scotia.
Are you ready for one of the World's best road trips? Cape Breton Island is a traveler's paradise! Rated a "Top Choice" accommodation by Lonely Planet we invite you to stay with us as you explore one of the 'Top 3 Island's' in the World!
Our central location on CAPE BRETON ISLAND makes our loved guesthouse a place to rest your backpack as you drive the breathtaking CABOT TRAIL and explore CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK. Discover nearby charming coastal towns of Mabou, Baddeck, Cheticamp and Ingonish. Treat yourself to fresh seafood, sample North America's only single malt whisky and feel the energy of the surf & sand on our amazing beaches! Don't forget your camera!
We're amongst world class sailing, hiking, kayaking, golfing, cycling and whale watching. Learn about the diverse cultural history of Cape Breton Island at Louisbourg Fortress and the Highland Village. Don't miss the lively musical nightlife at the famous Red Shoe Pub! Not sure what a Ceilidh is? You soon will!
Sit back & grab a hammock, your bed is made for your arrival, so drop your bags and relax! Look for the eagles soaring over the lake and the wildlife walking in the backyard!
BBQ while taking in a 180 degree view of the lake, and later roast marshmallows over the campfire! As the moon rises over the lake, make a wish on one of the countless stars above!
Our dorm rooms sleep 3 to 5 people and our private rooms come with their own private lounge and balcony! If traveling is a family affair, we do offer special rooms for families on the road. Contact us to determine what type of room set-up will work best for you!
For further information or to make a booking, give us a call! We can not wait to introduce you to our beautiful part of the world!
*IMPORTANT* If the dates you are looking to book appear unavailable - don't worry! We always keep a few beds open to prevent overbooking!
Contact our office directly and we will look into the availability of the dates you hope to stay!
Are you ready for one of the World's best road trips? Cape Breton Island is a traveler's paradise! Rated a "Top Choice" accommodation by Lonely Planet we invite you to stay with us as you explore one of the 'Top 3 Island's' in the World!
Our central location on CAPE BRETON ISLAND makes our loved guesthouse a place to rest your backpack as you drive the breathtaking CABOT TRAIL and explore CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK. Discover nearby charming coastal towns of Mabou, Baddeck, Cheticamp and Ingonish. Treat yourself to fresh seafood, sample North America's only single malt whisky and feel the energy of the surf & sand on our amazing beaches! Don't forget your camera!
We're amongst world class sailing, hiking, kayaking, golfing, cycling and whale watching. Learn about the diverse cultural history of Cape Breton Island at Louisbourg Fortress and the Highland Village. Don't miss the lively musical nightlife at the famous Red Shoe Pub! Not sure what a Ceilidh is? You soon will!
Sit back & grab a hammock, your bed is made for your arrival, so drop your bags and relax! Look for the eagles soaring over the lake and the wildlife walking in the backyard!
BBQ while taking in a 180 degree view of the lake, and later roast marshmallows over the campfire! As the moon rises over the lake, make a wish on one of the countless stars above!
Our dorm rooms sleep 3 to 5 people and our private rooms come with their own private lounge and balcony! If traveling is a family affair, we do offer special rooms for families on the road. Contact us to determine what type of room set-up will work best for you!
For further information or to make a booking, give us a call! We can not wait to introduce you to our beautiful part of the world!
*IMPORTANT* If the dates you are looking to book appear unavailable - don't worry! We always keep a few beds open to prevent overbooking!
Contact our office directly and we will look into the availability of the dates you hope to stay!
Hostel bed capacity
| Beds per room: |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Number of rooms: | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Opening times
| Opening times (daily/weekly): | Reception Open: 08.00 - 12.00 // 16.00 - 20.00 No curfews or lockouts! Come and go as you wish as you explore Cape Breton at your leisure! (Guests may receive a front door key when securing a refundable deposit). |
| Opening times (over the year): | 2011 --- May 1 - October 26*--- Come join us for our 4th season at the start of the Cabot Trail! *Please call us directly if you are hoping to stay with us after October 20th. |
Street Map and Route Planning
Directions
| Bus: | Acadian Bus Lines --- www.acadianbus.com (Nova Scotia's equivalent to Greyhound) The bus arrives daily in Whycocomagh at 21h00. Dropping passengers off at Vi's Restaurant, located 5 km from our hostel. * We strongly recommend that our guests take a shuttle company that will drop you off right at our doorstep rather than the bus! Please contact us for details! |
| Parking: | Free On-site Parking! |
| Sea port: | If arriving off the Newfoundland Ferry in North Sydney - you'll be 87km // approximately 45 minutes from us! *Shuttles leave daily from the ferry terminal & will drop you off at our doorstep! Contact us for details!* If driving from the ferry terminal, take HWY # 105, heading south towards Baddeck. We are located in Aberdeen; just after the 55 km highway marker you will find us at # 10705 on the right hand side of the road. |
| Location: | We're minutes from the start of the stunning Cabot Trail, overlooking the Bras d'Or Lakes and less than an hour from Sydney and the Newfoundland Ferry! Only 54 km (40 min) from when you cross onto Cape Breton Island from mainland Nova Scotia. You will pass through the town of Whycocomagh before you get to our town of Aberdeen. You will find us on the left hand side of the road at 10705 Hwy # 105 Aberdeen, Cape Breton Island Look for our Black Bear ! You can't miss this handsome devil holding the red mailbox! GPS Co-Ordinates: N 45 58.395' W 061 03.328' |
| Rail: | If arriving by VIA Rail in TRURO or HALIFAX, a renting a car or taking a shuttle will be your best means of getting to our doorstep. Contact us for more details! |
| Airport: | *Please contact us for shuttle information from the airports to our doorstep!* Halifax (Stanfield) International Airport - HALIFAX - 290 KM // 3.0 hrs approx Sydney International Airport - SYDNEY,(Cape Breton) 125 km // 1.5 hrs approx. |
Attractions
 | Cultural centre nearby | | Museums/art galleries nearby |
| Historical sites nearby | | River/harbour/lake nearby |
| Hiking area | | Main attractions nearby |
| Forested/wooded area | | Horseriding at or near hostel |
| Restaurants nearby | | Shopping centre/market nearby |
| Beach at or near hostel | | Mountainous/hilly area |
| Meet other travellers! Read their tips for things to do in HI - Cape Breton |
Facilities
 | Discounts and concessions available |  | Family rooms available |
 | Self-catering kitchen |  | Groups welcome |
 | Common room(s) |  | Sheets in price |
 | Travel/Tour bureau |  | Laundry facilities |
 | Cycle rental available at or near the hostel |  | Internet access |
 | Credit card accepted |  | Individual traveller welcome |
 | Luggage Store |  | Lockers available |
 | Non smoking room/area |  | Basic store available at or near the hostel |
 | Garden |  | Green Hostel |
 | Sports |  | BBQ |
Customer Reviews HI - Cape Breton
| 07 Oct 2011 Heather, USA | 93% | |
| The hostel host,Camden, is great and goes above and beyond to help everyone with their inquiries, needs and comfort. By far the most accommodating host that I've encountered in 15+ hostels in US, Canada and Europe. Be advised that the hostel is in a residential area and services such as a grocery/liquor store and restaurants are a few miles down the road, either direction. That said, when you are there you will feel like you are staying at someone's home, not a lodge, not a hotel, not a cabin, that has all the comforts of home and a great view of the lake. | ||
| 20 Aug 2011 Mickael, France | 100% | |
| Excellent and very friendly hostel, close to a wonderful landscape. | ||
| 20 Aug 2011 Bonnie, USA | 100% | |
| What a gem in this wild area.I am 73 yr old, female Had excellent private room. View on bay is beautiful. Close to services in Whycocomagh | ||
| 19 Jul 2011 Caroline, Ireland (Republic of) | 100% | |
| Great place to stay, great welcome, clean and comfortable. Hostel response: | ||
| 08 Jul 2011 Joshua, USA | 100% | |
| This is a uniquely comfortable hostel. I honestly felt like I was being welcomed as a new member of a family, and I was just staying for a single night. Cat, the manager, is a big part of that. She also was amazingly passionate and knowledgeable about the island, filling me with more ideas for exploration than I could follow in a month. The setting, as a nice little house overlooking the lake, is as beautiful as I've ever seen for a hostel. I'm very happy I found this place. Hostel response: | ||
| 21 Jun 2011 Corinne, Australia | 100% | |
| This hostel was fabulous. I stayed just before the high summer season so maybe it was a bit quieter than it would be when full. But Kat was extremely helpful and her creativity and attention to detail made it not only comfortable, but an inviting and warm environment to be in. And the location is superb with easy access (by car) to good hiking, interesting artist galleries, and good celtic music, as well as to the Cabot Trail and Cape Breton national park. | ||
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