Highlights along the Trans Canada TrailLearn More
Duration
7 days
Activities
  • 5 days self-guided hiking
Accommodation
  • 4 nights B&B's/guesthouses
  • 2 nights Hotels
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 6 Breakfasts

Price

$1390USD

* All prices subject to applicable taxes

Trip Code: NTE

Overview

Trip highlights


  • Explore the Northern trails of the stunning East Coast Trail.
  • Discover hidden coastal gems beyond the popular trails.
  • Hike tranquil coves, quartz outcrops, and ocean vistas
  • Recharge in cozy B&Bs at Pouch Cove and Bay Bulls
  • Experience Cape Spear and Signal Hill’s stunning views

This itinerary is crafted for seasoned hikers ready to venture beyond the East Coast Trail’s popular routes, exploring Newfoundland’s stunning, lesser-traveled paths. Each day offers new discoveries—from serene forest trails near Topsail Beach to scenic quartz outcrops and lush cliffside meadows. A highlight, and a staff favorite, is the dramatic stretch from Cape St. Francis to Pouch Cove, offering breathtaking ocean views and a sense of true remoteness. Travel through historic landscapes with old salmon fishing spots and hidden coves as you soak up the rugged beauty of Conception Bay. Evenings are spent in cozy B&Bs in Pouch Cove and Bay Bulls, recharging for more adventures with chances to spot whales, seabirds, and wild berries. Key sights include Cape Spear, North America’s easternmost point, and sweeping views of St. John’s from Signal Hill. This journey immerses you in Newfoundland’s natural and cultural heritage, creating unforgettable memories and the chance to become an honorary Newfoundlander!

Activities:
Grading:
5

Moderate

More info about grading system


Welcome to the windy, colourful and boisterous capital of Newfoundland. You will need to find your way to your charming B&B in the centre of town (details are provided with your final documents). Spend the rest of the day exploring one of the oldest cities in North America, discovering its bright-painted heritage houses and buildings, restaurants, galleries and antique shops. Your accommodation is also close to the legendary nightlife and live music on George Street.

Meals:  Nil

After breakfast and a short transfer, you'll start your hike this day by setting off through some mature forest by the east end of Topsail Beach. You will soon encounter an optional out-and-back side trail up to Topsail Bluff. White Cliff Cove lies beyond on the main trail, featuring a massive quartz vein, then a scenic quartz outcrop near a stand of spruce that hugs the nearby cliff. The waters nearby were known to be a prime spot to net salmon during springtime during the mid-1800s. After passing mixed cliffside growth interspersed with deadwood and some massive boulders, you will emerge to a wide-open view of Conception Bay. From here you will cross rivulets, and the punchbowl-shaped Blackhole Cove, before turning inland and rejoining the woods. After completing the Saint Thomas Line community link, the coastal path continues past Broad Cove and Squires Point to St. Philips Beach. Moving on from the beach will take you past hayfields overgrown with white spruce, woodland, some tangled growth and several grassy coastal heaths. A steep descent and ascent lead you forth to a scenic view of Jones Cove, along with some cliffside and ridge-line views. Further along, a descent to Beachy Cove brings you to a small, attractive beach, a short distance from your pickup location. From here you will be brought to a lovely B&B in Pouch Cove.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today's hike is an out-and-back route from your B&B. This stretch of trail features steep hills, a rugged coastline, and sweeping ocean views, with the chance to spot whales and seabirds, especially in the summer. About halfway from the Biscan Cove trailhead, you'll find an ideal picnic spot and scenic viewpoint called Champs Lookout. The trail also passes through prime berry-picking areas and the remnants of the Cape St. Francis Lighthouse, along with a still-operational helicopter pad.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you'll be starting from your B&B in Pouch Cove, and passing Shoe Cove shortly, which was mostly used as a summer fishing station. Shoe Cove Road, constructed circa 1900, links the cove to the highway and allowed local families to homestead in the area nearby. After heading west and crossing Shoe Cove Brook, the trail continues along a traditional cow path through coastal woods on the cove's steep eastern slope. Cattle used to roam the community pasture nearby between the 1960s and the early 2000s, the early operational years of Shoe Cove's chief pasture. Lookout points and side trails along the day's route overlook Shoe Cove Island, exposed rock ledges and a few gorgeous waterfalls. You will reach Stiles Cove, where seals would haul up on sea ledges to rest and hunt in coves with streams frequented by salmon. Beyond this point are more wooded tracks, a known eagle's nest to keep an eye out for, and more sweeping views. You'll be shuttled to your B&B in Bay Bulls for the next two nights after you reach the Flatrock trailhead.

Meals:  B,L,D

You will be picked up after breakfast and taken to the trailhead at Petty Harbour for your hike to Cape Spear, the most easterly point of the continent, in the shadow of the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, and an iconic symbol of the province’s maritime history. Your hike will feature board-walked bog crossings, a variety of terrains, two river crossings and expansive views of deep swells rolling in across the Atlantic. Before you are transferred back to Bay Bulls, you have plenty of time to explore the Cape Spear Lighthouse, originally built in 1836 and rebuilt in 1955 using the active light of the original lighthouse.

Meals:  B,L,D

A morning transfer awaits after breakfast to join this diverse coastal trail connecting Logy Bay with St. John’s. The trail features two significant elevation changes of 150 meters. Along the way, you'll enjoy stunning coastal vistas from atop Sugarloaf Head to the north, explore unique rock formations at the Skerries, and take in panoramic 360-degree views of St. John’s and Quidi Vidi from the Bawdens Highlands in the south. Be aware that the hiking trail and biking route, both well-marked, criss-cross up Bawdens Highland. After crossing White Hills and Bawdens Highland, Quidi Vidi Village offers a range of services for visitors and a community link to Signal Hill National Historic Site. The optional 175-meter climb up Signal Hill is well worth it, as viewers who have experienced the historic viewpoint will attest. You will be walking back to your St. John's hotel, whether you decided to take the more relaxing route directly from Quidi Vidi Village or to climb Signal Hill for the impressive views of the city harbour and surroundings. If you haven’t already, tonight may be the night to get ‘Screeched In’ on George Street and become an honorary Newfoundlander.

Meals:  B,L

Services end after breakfast. We hope you enjoyed your stay at 'the Rock'!

Meals:  B


Inclusions

  • 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
  • 6 nights in B&B's/guesthouses/hotels on a double occupancy basis
  • Luggage transfers (1 piece per person)
  • Transfers to/from trailheads as indicated in itinerary
  • Navigation APP inclusive of detailed route notes and points of interest (available offline while hiking)
  • Set of trail maps (1 per group)
  • Use of Garmin emergency communications device (1 per group)
  • $50 donation to the East Coast Trail Association

  • Travel to and from St. John's
  • Items of a personal nature including alcoholic beverages
  • Meals and transfers where not indicated in the itinerary
  • Travel insurance
  • Entrance fees and optional activities
  • Airport transfers
  • Applicable taxes

Accommodation


Trail Surface


Suitability

Moderate

5

Moderate. Daily walks are between 8km and 16km on well marked trails over diverse and often rugged terrain – from relatively flat to short, steep sections. Most of the walk is on trail with some boarded surfaces, exposed tree roots, and likely mud and/or rocks to scramble over. You should pay particular attention to your footwear to ensure that it is suitable to avoid blisters and rolling ankles. This is not a trip for breaking in new hiking boots! Be sure you have tried and tested your boots in wet conditions and over uneven terrain. Route finding will be reasonably straightforward (refer to information regarding self guided adventures) but days are long and weather conditions will be variable. The main areas to concentrate on route finding are arriving and leaving towns and cities, and along rocky shores. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to take in all of the views, with time to stop and take photos. You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. Self guided walking requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. If you’ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of if as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide local contact information in the event of any problems. There is a certain level of the unknown that comes with self guided trips, however with a methodical approach potential problems will be averted. The freedom of a self guided trip is something that, once experienced, is sought time and time again.


Departure dates

Daily from May 15 to October 12

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Priceper person from

$1390USD

* All prices subject to applicable taxes

Options & Supplements*
    * Prices listed are per person. All prices subject to applicable taxes.

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Hiking Newfoundland's East Coast Trail with Great Canadian Trails