appears to have influenced drainage patterns. South of East Bay Hills the glacial direction is strongly northeast–southwest, in this case parallel to the fault which defines their southern boundary. Fresh water The East Bay Hills have relatively flat plateau-like crests which are poorly drained. Most streams are located on the margins and are aligned northeast, reflecting the glacial direction. The hills contains several lakes and a few scattered raised bogs. Soils Heavily podzolized Thom soils with a thick iron humate B horizon cover most of the hills. They are associated with Arichat soils (poorly drained, mottled, sandy loams), found where the relief is gently undulating or depressional. There are also small areas of peat. Plants These hills are somewhat lower than the North Bras d'Or Hills and shade-tolerant hardwoods, although present, are not dominant. The East Bay Hills support instead mixed stands of Red Maple, White Birch, Yellow Birch, American Beech, Balsam Fir, and White Spruce. Animals There are few moose in this area. Deer are found on side slopes in winter yards. There are a large number of eagle nests in stream ravines. Tourism The hills offer views north over Bras d'Or Lake, for example, where Highway 4 climbs above shore level near Irish Cove and Middle Cape. Ben Eoin Provincial Park lies along the north edge of the hills. The Ben Eoin Trail (1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) return) starts at the Ben Eoin Provincial Picnic Park and leads to a well cleared look-off of solid ground and large flat stone on a ridge of the East Bay Hills with a panoramic view of the East Bay of the Bras d'Or Lake 165 metres (541 ft) below. Cultural environment Small-scale farming is practised in some areas of the East Bay Hills. Fishing the waters of the Bras d'Or Lake and sporadic forestry have been economic activities in the past. Much of this area is now cottage country, and tourism plays a significant role in the local economy. In the early 1900s the mineral springs at Glengarry in Irish Cove were well known for their perceived healing properties, which drew local people as well as distant travellers. References External links Feature in the Natural History of Nova Scotia Mountains of Nova Scotia Landforms of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality Landforms of Cape Breton County Mountains of Canada under 1000 metres de:Cape Breton Highlands