Located in Cape North at the top of the Cabot Trail, Highlands Hostel is a unique accommodation experience that caters to nature enthusiasts and seekers of outdoor adventure. 

Now in its third year, Highlands Hostel was started by Bricin “Striker” Lyons and his wife, Patricia Sauer, who moved to Cape Breton from British Columbia with their two children to start a new business and a new life. Their vision is to establish the Hostel as a year-round  basecamp for visitors who wish to fully engage with the Cape Breton Highlands’ natural beauty.

Bricin is an enthusiastic longboarder who helped pioneer the sport of downhill skateboarding in Canada. Downhill skateboarding is an Xtreme sport that sees contestants racing down mountain roads on longboards and hitting speeds in excess of 100 kilometres per hour. While on a cross-Canada fundraising tour called Push for the Cure, a friend told him to check out the hills on the Cabot Trail. Bricin fell in love with Cape Breton and the new adventure began.

“We found an old Presbyterian church in Cape North that has already been partially done over as a seasonal tea room and wellness centre,” said Bricin. “We needed  to reno the building and we had no money, so we reached out to the longboarding community and raised $90,000 to make it happen. We are so grateful for their support, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”

Highlands Hostel is opened year round and features single and family rooms, as well as dorm accommodation. From the Cape North location, visitors can quickly access all the outdoor activities the Cape Breton Highlands National Park has to offer, including beaches, hiking trails, secluded swimming holes and waterfalls, and lots of fresh seafood. Winter activities include downhill and X-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. 

And of course, being Cape Breton, visitors can experience live music in the hostel’s Great Room by a range of local musicians.

For longboard enthusiasts, some of the best downhill skateboarding runs in North America can be found minutes away. Part of Bricin’s vision is to establish an international downhill skateboarding museum on site. 

“I was involved in the early days, back when there was only 12 of us,” said Bricin. “Now there are thousands and I am still involved in many of the events. This hostel was built by longboarders and funded by longboarders. I’d like to see their contribution recognized and the history of the sport celebrated.”  

In accordance with current health measures, the Hostel is accepting only Atlantic visitors at this time. 

For more information, please their WEBSITE or check out their Facebook page.

Highlands Hostel

29295 Cabot Trail, Cape North, NS B0C 1C0

T:  902-383-2371

E: [email protected]