The Theodore Fricker Mountain Trail is a demanding climb near Cape Breton’s west coast, rising steeply through forest and rocky sections to reach an exposed summit ridge. Although it’s not for the faint of heart, the views from the top are second to none, stretching over the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the surrounding highlands. The route is well marked with tape, but the ascent and descent are both steep, with loose rock underfoot in places. Hiking poles are helpful, and it’s best to avoid heading out in unfavourable weather due to the exposed upper terrain and tricky footing on the way down.