Sports and the Outdoors

Cabot Cliffs Golf Course. Along with Cabot Links, this course is turning Cape Breton into an international golf destination. Cabot Cliffs, perched atop 80-foot cliffs with a stunning view, was designed by the impressive team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and promises superlative golf in classic links style. 20 Beach Rd., Inverness, Nova Scotia, B0E 1N0. 902/258–4653; 855/652–2268; www.cabotlinks.com/golf/cabot-cliffs. C$110–C$150.

Cabot Links. As Canada's only true links course, designed by Rod Whitman and opened in 2012, Cabot Links has caused much excitement among players and golf media alike, and with good reason. Set along the rugged Cape Breton seashore near Inverness, it is both challenging and stunningly scenic, and comes with superb lodging and dining options as well. This is a walking-only course, so no buggy rentals. 15933 Central Ave., Inverness, Nova Scotia, B0E 1N0. 902/258–4653; 855/652–2268; www.cabotlinks.com. C$165–C$195. Mid-May–mid-Nov..

Mabou Highlands. The Cape Mabou Trail Club, a volunteer organization, maintains 30 km (18 miles) of nature trails, 17 in total, on this mountain range. Gaelic-speaking immigrants from Scotland settled this region of plunging cliffs, isolated beaches, rising mountains, and glens, meadows, and hardwood forests, and some of the trails follow tracks made by carts traveling to and from the pioneer settlements. Today the area is so hauntingly quiet that you might halfway expect to meet the sidhe, the Scottish fairies, capering on the hillsides. Trail maps can be purchased from local retailers or viewed online. Mabou, Nova Scotia. www.capemabouhiking.com.