WATERFALLS OF NOVA SCOTIA

WRECK POINT FALLS
Donkin, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
N 46° 10.754 W 59° 48.932
UTM: 21T E282695 N5117815

RIVER: unnamed brook

CLASS: plunge
SIZE: 35 ft
PITCH: 85 deg

RATING: average (***1/2)

PK: 46 N 10.665 /  59 W 50.767
TRAIL: coastal bluff trail
DISTANCE: 2km
HIKING TIME: 45min
CONDITIONS: moderate (steep sections along trail)

Geocache: GC3FM2Q
NS Atlas Page: 15/W2

NS topo map: 011J04 (Glace Bay)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: from SYDNEY, follow HWY125 to its conclusion at the corner with the Mayflower Mall on your right (Canadian Tire, Home Depot and Walmart are straight ahead). Turn right onto Grand Lake Rd (HWY4) towards Glace Bay and continue 11.1km, then take the slight right onto Wilson Rd (signed for Pt. Morien/Donkin/Birch Grove) and continue 1 km. This road then becomes Dominion St. Continue straight ahead 3.1km. Turn right onto Brookside St (HWY 255S) and follow this road 6.1km to where HWY255 takes a hard right. Continue straight at this point onto Donkin Highway, driving 5.8km and turning left onto Donkin Mine Access Rd. Park well off the road to allow others to do the same, as this is a popular hiking trail at times. 

(looking over the verge)

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: follow the road across the washed-out area, and head towards the trail leading up the bluff. Follow this trail as it hugs the coastline past Schooner Pond Head to Wreck Point. These falls drain a boggy area on the high ground and may dry up during periods of low precipitation, but are a welcome sight as one rounds the corner to see them from a distance. 

Wreck Point is thus named to commemorate the wreck of the SS Watford in 1932. Cape Bretons Magazine featured an article about this in their June 1977 issue, which can be found online HERE. At the top of the falls a small memorial still stands, weathered by the years. A fine view of Flint Island and its lighthouse is another feature that makes this hike a memorable one.

(memorial cross near the falls)

(the view to Flint Island lighthouse)