Search for missing Australian woman underway in Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Search crews are seen in Cheticamp, N.S., where they were looking for a missing woman in Cape Breton Highlands National Park on April 28, 2026. (Cheticamp Search and Rescue/Facebook)

A search for a missing Australian woman is underway in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

The RCMP says it received a report around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday about a missing person believed to be hiking in the park.

Police say the 62-year-old woman’s family last heard from her on April 15 when she indicated she was travelling to Chéticamp, N.S.

The woman’s rental vehicle, a Nissan Sentra, was found at a Parks Canada visitor centre near a trailhead in Chéticamp on Tuesday.

Police say a search is underway with assistance from Parks Canada, Ground Search and Rescue and RCMP Air Services.

According to Parks Canada, Cape Breton Highlands National Park covers 950 square kilometres, covering roughly 20 per cent of northern Cape Breton. There are 26 hiking trails within the park.

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