Nova Scotia, 3–4 days, self-drive
The Cabot Trail loops 185 miles around Cape Breton Island’s highlands, and it draws a fraction of the Rockies’ or Icefields Parkway’s traffic despite comparable coastal drama — cliffside roads, whale-watching coves, and Gaelic-Acadian culture that’s genuinely distinct from the rest of Canada.
Drive it counter-clockwise for the better ocean views from the driver’s seat, and budget at least 3 days rather than the single-day version some visitors attempt — Cape Breton Highlands National Park alone has enough hiking (Skyline Trail’s cliffside boardwalk is the standout) to fill a full day.
Stop in Chéticamp for Acadian food and live fiddle music, and watch for whales off Pleasant Bay from June through October — pilot whales are resident here nearly year-round, not just a seasonal pass-through.
Typical range: $120–$250 per night, considerably less than the more famous Canadian Rockies routes.
Sephari’s Outdoor & Adventure Gear collection carries the wind layers this exposed coastal driving route calls for.