more stats
6.1 miles
Distance
991 ft
Climb
-1,108 ft
Descent
01:46:22
Avg time
-115 ft
Altitude change
418 ft
Altitude min
1,406 ft
Altitude max
568 ft
Altitude start
453 ft
Altitude end
-0.4%
Grade
-36.9%
Grade max
45.9%
Grade min
3 miles
Distance climb
3 miles
Distance down
3,924 ft
Distance flat
01:46:22
Avg time

Franey Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    • Snowshoe
  • Riding Area
    Cape Breton Highlands National Park
    Ingonish, Nova Scotia
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond Rate
  • Local Popularity
    75 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in E-Biking
    • 90 in Trail Running
    • 85 in Hiking
    • 5 in Snowshoeing
  • Global Ranking
    #172554 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #227705 in E-Biking
    • #63770 in Trail Running
    • #39247 in Hiking
    • #23339 in Snowshoeing
  • Provincial Ranking
    #555 in Mountain Biking · Nova Scotia [+]
    • #356 in E-Biking
    • #277 in Trail Running
    • #164 in Hiking
    • #686 in Snowshoeing
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Direction
    Both Directions[+]
    Popular Direction Shown
    • Both Directions for E-Biking
    • Both Directions for Snowshoeing
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • Land Owner
    Parks Canada

Climb steadily through the forest and your effort will be well rewarded at the summit. Large rocks provide an ideal spot to rest and take in spectacular 360° views of the Clyburn Brook canyon and the Atlantic coastline, stretching from Cape Smokey to Ingonish. Look inland toward the mountains, the sheer rocky face of Franey Mountain, or down to the river winding through the valley, 423 metres below.

Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way—moose are often seen in this area.

2025 update: The trail has been recently realigned to include two scenic loops. Access the parking area and trailhead at the end of Franey Road.

source: Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Access Info

Popular hiking trails, including Skyline and Franey, see many visitors during the summer and fall months and trail parking lots fill up fast. Be #ParkSmart and plan ahead
Trails are busiest between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Have a back-up plan in case the parking lot is full.

Disclaimer

Keep it wild, keep it safe Do you know what to do if you encounter wildlife in the park? Before your next visit, familiarize yourself with moose, bear and coyote safety. Be respectful and act responsibly.

Tags
SummitViews
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 1 rides
  • 8 miles avg distance
All
  • 2 rides
  • Last: Oct 1, 2026
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Franey Trail Reports

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Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other users about any issues on a trail.
Status:
Avg: 3.98 (1 votes)
Your vote: 0

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      Directions to franey trailhead (46.660450, -60.434260)
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      4.0 ★★★★★
      1 Ratings
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      4 ★ 100%
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      1 Review & Comments

      Tula2
      Great hike to get your blood pumping. We did clockwise which made us wrk harder but there were steps to get up the steep stuff. The views were nice but not striking. We liked it for the movement

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      Cape Breton Highlands National Park

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      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Franey located?
      Franey is located in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Ingonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is part of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 46.66045, -60.43426.
      ▼ How hard is Franey?
      Franey is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 0.4%.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Franey?
      Franey has 991 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 1,108 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 418 ft to 1,406 ft.
      ▼ Is Franey a point to point trail?
      Franey is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Franey?
      Franey is 6.1 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Franey?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Franey. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ How do I access Franey? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Franey are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Franey?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 1 hour 46 minutes to ride Franey. The trail is 6.1 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Franey?
      Franey is a very popular trail. There have been 68 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 75 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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