Salmon Pools

Salmon Pools is a 9.5 km (5.9-mile) out-and-back from Robert Brook Campground into the Chéticamp River canyon. The walk is mostly level, with short climbs and some rocky sections; allow 3–4 hours for the full return. Its payoff is a sequence of pools, gravel bars and rapids beneath canyon walls that rise almost 400 m above the river. Come for the river and the scale of the gorge, though the water isn't beside you every step.

First Pool is about 3.6 km upriver. Turn there and walk back for a roughly 7.2 km outing; it's a sensible shorter version if you want a pool without committing to the whole route. Continue and the trail narrows to Chance Pool, where polished, exposed bedrock opens beside the water. The maintained path goes on through forest and along gravel bars for another 600 m, past rapids and deeper pools.

Several stretches pass through forest before the river comes back into view. That makes the early walk feel like a long approach, but the pools and gorge are the reason to keep going. At Chance Pool, include some of the pale bedrock with the water in a photo so the scene reads as a rocky river canyon. Atlantic salmon may be in the deeper pools; barred owls are worth listening for at dusk.