GPS : 46.761079, -60.363095
This fall has multiple small drops on top of a bigger fall. These small falls create small rapids and pools as the river continues downstream towards the larger fall. The larger fall is approx 10-15 feet high, with a large and deep pool at its base. Under a small bridge is a smaller pool in which you can swim around in. This small pool breaks off into the small rapids heading down a gentle slope towards the fall below. The falls itself is approx 30 feet wide and the gentle slope from the top pool down to the larger fall extends for approx 45-50 feet at an angle of approx 30 degrees.
Important Information – These falls are a great place to enjoy a swim or jump on a hot day. The pool is big enough for plenty to enjoy at once and the jump can get high enough for all thrill-seekers. You can even swim right up to where the fall breaks the water into the pool below, with this being said, good luck as the current is strong. To the right-hand side of the pool, right where the waterfall ends along the side of the river is the jumping platform aka boulder. In front of this boulder is a small little edge that forms the pool wall, it is approx 2-3 feet high. It is a good little jump for all ages. The boulder itself is approx 10-15 feet high. The next tier just above the boulder on the rock face is approx 15-20 feet high. The tier after that is approx 20-25 and the top tier is approx 25-30 feet high. These tiers are not hard to climb up to but climb carefully. The surfaces you are jumping off of are large enough for more than 1 person to be up there. The top two tiers require a strong push on takeoff to clear the bottom tiers below. As for the pool itself, it is very deep. The trail to the falls is approx 500ms and properly marked. From the main parking area, you will walk to the end of the parking lot and continue straight along the gravel path. The path is gravel all the way until after the small bridge. Just before the bridge, there will be a clearing on your left with a public washroom. Once across the bridge, you can take a sharp right turn down a small human trafficked path on dirt and loose rocks that is approx 10-15 feet long at an angle of approx 50 degrees to a small pool or you can walk just a few paces further to a built-in wooden staircase that leads you down to the base of the larger fall. It will bring you to the edge of the pool and river. The jumping location will be on your right along the pool edge towards the falls. This parking area is the end of a gravel/dirt road that is directly off of the Cabot Trail just passed Ingonish and Broad Cove Campground on your left-hand side. You will see a sign before the left-hand turn on your right-hand side that says Mary Ann Falls, along with Warrens Lake, and Trails. Once you make the left hand turn, there will be a fork in the road, you are turning right. There should be a sign present saying, Mary Ann Falls.
Directions – These falls are located just outside of Ingonish in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. If leaving from Halifax, you will drive towards Truro on Highway 102 (Veterans Memorial Highway). Taking exit 15W on your right onto Highway 104 (Trans Canada Highway) and you will continue towards Cape Breton. Once into Cape Breton, you will continue on the Trans Canada Highway which turns into Highway 105. The route you are looking to travel, the sign will say Cheticamp, Baddeck, and Sydney. Once you reach Whycocomagh, make sure you continue straight. Do not turn onto Highway 252 towards Cheticamp and Margaree Forks. Highway 105 (Trans Canada Highway) will continue straight, look for the Cabot Trail sign that will tell you to turn left onto the Cabot Trail. You will follow the Cabot Trail all the way to your exit on your left. This exit is just after a right-handed bend in the road once you pass Broad Cove Campground. You will cross over a small overpass with the signage to your right and the turn just shortly after on your left.
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