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Wilderness Area - Nova Scotia, Canada
French River Wilderness Area protects 235.15 km² on Cape Breton's eastern edge of the highland plateau above the Cabot Trail in Victoria County. One of the largest and most rugged protected areas in Nova Scotia, the wilderness features exceptionally diverse terrain extending from coastal dunes and lagoons on St. Anns Bay to stunted fir forests on the Cape Breton Plateau. The landscape includes river canyons, ravines, ponds, lakes, talus slopes, and bogs creating varied ecosystems and scenic vistas. The wilderness supports significant wildlife including Canada lynx, American marten, Atlantic salmon in river headwaters, plus rare plants and bird species adapted to Cape Breton's unique ecology. The Red Island Trail (3 km) offers accessible coastal hiking with panoramic views. The area represents one of Nova Scotia's wildest and most ecologically significant protected regions, preserving critical habitat and providing exceptional wilderness recreation opportunities in an undeveloped landscape.