On the Way to Cape Breton

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In the last two decades, ecotourism has grown at an astounding rate. Also known as sustainable tourism, green travel, adventure travel and nature and wilderness tourism, the international ecotourism market has seen, in some regions, an increase of 5-600% and billions of dollars in increased revenues. Yet, in spite of the explosion, the industry is still new and defining the 'ecotourist' is an elusive task.

According to the International Ecotourism Society, "Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people." "Ecotourism", says Adventure Travel Guide Carla Lund is "travel with a purpose", focused more on the experience than the destination. Whatever 'ecotourism' means to the industry and to the individual traveller, it is closely tied to sustainable development and follows the general rule of thumb to 'take only photographs and leave only footprints'.

Nova Scotia has always been a destination of natural beauty.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) extends outside the urban bustle to Hubbards and along the eastern rural region of HRM. While the Greater Halifax region has a variety of wonderful urban hiking trails and natural adventures of its own, many ecotourists are discovering the Eastern Shore.

Called "Marine Drive" in the industry, Highway 7 and its many 'shunpikes' travel along 300 km of pristine Atlantic coastline and some of the most beautifully rugged scenery in the province. Highway 7 leaves Supercity at Ecum Secum Bridge in the much photographed Bay of Islands Region and continues on to Antigonish, the 'heart of the Highlands'. From Goldboro, the "Marine Drive" dips down to Canso, one of the oldest port settlements in Canada.

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Visitors who gravitate to the Eastern Shore enjoy an amazing variety of scenic vistas. Unlike those who simply 'drive through' however, ecotourists hike along the many trails mapped out through the Acadian forest. Canoeing through the hundreds of interconnected lakes and rivers and sea kayaking among the thousands of uninhabited coastal islands is becoming increasingly popular. Adventures like cycling, whalewatching, scuba diving, birding, surfing, bouldering, skydiving, sailing and boating and can all be found along the beautiful Marine Drive.

Be sure to check the collection of links on the sidebar for more natural adventures in Cape Breton, the Annapolis Valley, the South Shore and the Bay of Fundy.

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