Experience Hiking & Walking

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There's something about Newfoundland and Labrador that nurtures your mind, body, and soul. Here you’ll find 29,000 kilometres of pristine coastline, dotted with beaches, sea stacks, and close to 300 hiking and walking trails. There are urban strolls, coastal hikes, backcountry expeditions, and captivating provincial & national parks. Along the way, if the timing is right, you’ll see seabirds, whales, and icebergs. And keep an eye out for moose and boreal songbirds as you connect with the unspoiled wilderness.

Here, tranquility has coordinates. You just have to know where to look. Or in this case, where to hike.

Great Hikes & Walks by Region

Western Region

The land found here has a unique geological history dating back 1.25 billion years. Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers more than 100 kilometres of hiking trails.

View Great Trails in Western

Erin Mountain Trail, Barachois Pond Provincial Park

Barachois Pond Provincial Park

Here is a tale of two trails. Take the easy trail over boardwalk to the lower lookout and try to spot a moose crossing the bogs. Head to the top of Erin Mountain on the more challenging trail up stairs and over rock. At the summit of 340 metres, you’ll be well rewarded with a panoramic view of St. George's Bay and the blue waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Behind you is the top of the Long Range Mountains.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 2hr (return)

Length: 7.1km

Route Type: Out & Back

Category: Provincial Park Trail

Sandbanks Provincial Park Coastal Trails

Sandbanks Provincial Park

Explore five beaches with long stretches of white sand for strolling and beachcombing. Enjoy the special beauty of the park's sandy shores with a walk; in summer, be sure to look for shorebirds feeding in the shallows. The Endangered Piping Plover nests here, so please exercise caution and pay attention to signage. If you want to walk the entire network of beach trails, start at First Beach. Otherwise you can visit each beach individually.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Duration: 5min - 2hr (return)

Length: 400m - 7km

Route Type: Out & Back, Point to Point

Category: Provincial Park Trail

Danny’s Trail

Port au Port West

Starts at the Port au Port isthmus, where it’s believed that Jacques Cartier landed in 1534. This trail has views of Port au Port Bay and the Long Range Mountains, with interesting rock formations, beaches, and coves marking the way. Several paths lead off from the main trail, including a slight detour leading to Our Lady of Mercy Church, the largest wooden structure in the province. The trail ends in the old Aguathuna Limestone Quarry—aguathuna being the Beothuk word for “white rock.”

Difficulty: Easy

Duration: 1.5hr

Length: 8km

Route Type: Out & Back

Category: Coastal Trail

Stream Trail Network

Corner Brook

Corner Brook’s Stream Trail network travels throughout downtown and the surrounding area, enhanced by pedestrian bridges, staircases, walkways, viewing platforms, and rest areas. Enjoy a walk through the striking natural beauty of the province’s westernmost city. Download the free "Tales Along the Trails" app to your phone for a guided tour experience.

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult

Duration: Short Walks

Length: 2.7km

Route Type: Loop, Point to Point

Category: Town and City Treks

Cape Blow Me Down Hiking Trail, International Appalachian Trail

York Harbour

This trail ascends 650 metres to the top of the Blow-Me-Down Mountains and then extends into the mountain range. There, it joins the Newfoundland section of the International Appalachian Trail, an 800km thru-hiking route made up of a network of shorter trails and routes. It's a steady climb to the top, and parts of the trail are ungroomed, but the views over the Bay of Islands and York Harbour are worth it. Don't forget to pause and smell the wildflowers along the way.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Duration: 4hr (return)

Length: 3.8km

Route Type: Out & Back

Category: Coastal Trail

Lark Harbour Head Trail, Blow Me Down Provincial Park

Blow Me Down Provincial Park

This trail in Blow Me Down Provincial Park travels over boardwalks and stairs to a lookout with endless views over the Bay of Islands, Lark Harbour, and York Harbour. On your descent, you'll tackle the Governor's Staircase—a wooden staircase embedded into a 450- million-year-old wall of volcanic rock. If you're pressed for time, you can start at the staircase and climb your way up for the same epic views.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 2hr (return)

Length: 5.3km

Route Type: Out & Back

Category: Coastal Trail, Provincial Park Trail

Burnt Hill Trail

Near Norris Point, Gros Morne National Park

A short, easy hike that takes you on a 360º loop of Burnt Hill with several picnic areas and viewpoints. This beautiful, scenic trail provides lots of photo opportunities of Norris Point, the Tablelands and Main Arm of Bonne Bay. Perfectly suited for a leisurely evening or morning stroll.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 1hr

Length: 3km

Route Type: Loop

Category: Coastal Trail

Lookout Trail, Gros Morne National Park

Parks Canada Gros Morne National Park

You’ll climb steadily through forest and then emerge from the trees onto a highland plateau on this sometimes steep (but always scenic) trail. From the platform atop Partridgeberry Hill you can enjoy spectacular views of Bonne Bay, Gros Morne Mountain, the Tablelands and the Lookout Hills. The trailhead starts at the Discovery Centre parking lot; visit there first to brush up on your geology and environmental knowledge.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 1.5hr

Length: 5.8km

Route Type: Loop

Category: National Park Trail

Gros Morne Mountain Trail, Gros Morne National Park

Parks Canada Gros Morne National Park

Climbing 800 metres to summit to the Park's highest mountain is strenuous, but the experience is worth it: Arctic-alpine habitant, views of Ten Mile Pond, Long Range Mountains, wildlife sightings and wildflowers. It is very important to be well-prepared before undertaking this hike and to check with Parks Canada staff. Trail is closed May - late June every year for ecological reasons. If you'd prefer an easier Park hike (but no less wondrous), try the Tablelands Trail or Green Gardens Trail.

Difficulty: Difficult

Duration: 8hr +

Length: 15.4km

Route Type: Loop

Category: National Park Trail

Glass Hole Trail, Northeast Way Trails

Conche

Hike along the coast of Conche to the Glass Hole, a cavern in the heights of the cliffs that take you to the Atlantic Ocean. From here, you’ll find amazing vistas of icebergs and whales, and resettled islands in the distance. The trailhead is located at a crashed WWII Boston BZ-277 plane from 1942, with most of the wreck still intact.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 2.5hrs

Length: 6.8km

Route Type: Loop

Category: Coastal Trail

Find More Great Hikes in Western Region

Central Region

With more than 70 hiking and walking trails to explore in the Central Region, you can quite literally spend your entire journey on your feet. Terra Nova National Park, near Clarenville, is home to more than 80 kilometres of trails.

View Great Trails in Central

Alexander Murray Hiking Trail

King’s Point

This signature trail of scenic Green Bay boasts 2,200 stairs—but don't worry, it's not all uphill. The route carries you through forest terrain and across the Moose Barrens before summiting at HayPook with views over the Southwest Arm of Green Bay. There’s 5 lookouts and 3 waterfalls along the way, and plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 3hr (return)

Length: 8.5km

Route Type: Loop

Category: Forest Path

Hazelnut Hiking & Adventure Trail

Robert’s Arm

This trail in Robert’s Arm is stunning year round, but particularly in the fall when the hillside turns into a carpet of autumnal hues. Walk across the brilliantly engineered George Baker Bridge (complete with its own gazebo) and then make your way to the top of the hill lookout. See if you can find Cressie, the famed lake monster that lives in Crescent Lake. For a shorter hike, start at Tommy’s Arm River Bridge and make your way toward Long Pond.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 4hr

Length: 10km

Route Type: Point to Point

Category: Town/City Trek and Forest Path

Black Head Trail, Dildo Run Provincial Park

Dildo Run Provincial Park

A light, yet rewarding trail that follows the coastline to Black Head. It begins winding through a dense boreal forest, and ends with a staircase to the top of a barren headland with a platform that offers a spectacular view of Dildo Run and some of its 365 islands.

Difficulty: Easy

Duration: 30min (return)

Length: 4km (return)

Route Type: Out & Back

Category: Provincial Park Trail

French Beach to Codjacks Cove - Rockcut Twillingate Trails

Twillingate

Start at the very scenic French Beach. Hike along the rugged coastline to reach the sheltered rocky beaches of Spillers Cove and then onwards to Codjacks Cove. Pack a picnic and enjoy the views with lunch. Along your way you will be amazed by the majestic headlands, sea stacks and breathtaking coastal views. Stop to pick some wild berries and, if you're lucky, take some pictures of sea birds, whales and icebergs. If you wish to end the hike earlier, there are loop-back options along the way.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 3hr (return)

Length: 8km (return)

Route Type: Out & Back

Category: Coastal Trail

Squid Jiggers Trail

Change Islands

Experience the magical solitude of Change Islands on this volcanic rock coastal trail starting from Tall Boy, a prominent lookout hill. The trail hugs the rugged coastline, with some inland portions and a few steep climbs where sturdy footwear is required. During iceberg season, the quiet coves along the way offer unparalleled views of these 10,000-year-old glacial giants.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 2.5hr

Length: 3.5km

Route Type: Point to Point

Category: Coastal Trail

Lion's Den Hiking Trail, Fogo Islands Trails

Fogo Island

North of the town of Fogo, you’ll find a well-marked trail to take you past the resettled communities of Lion's Den, Lock's Cove, Shoal Tickle, and Eastern Tickle. No structures remain but there are information boards along the way, and viewing platforms offer up breathtaking panoramas. This is also a popular berry picking route, especially for raspberries and blueberries.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Duration: 4hr (return)

Length: 4.2km (return)

Route Type: Out & Back

Category: Coastal Trail

Greenspond Hiking Trail - Wonder Shore

Greenspond

Located in the historic town of Greenspond, this trek yields wide open views of the northwest side of Bonavista Bay. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore along the way, and the route includes highlights like the old courthouse, a church, lighthouses, and graveyards. Look for whales and icebergs if you're hiking in season. You'll be walking the same paths that the earliest settlers of Newfoundland walked over 300 years ago.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 1.25hr

Length: 6km

Route Type: Loop

Category: Coastal Trail

Damnable Trail

Eastport

Ranging from rugged and challenging coastal trails to leisurely strolls along beaches and through historic communities, the Damnable Trail network on the Eastport Peninsula has a trail for each level of hiker experience and difficulty. Come for the spectacular coastal scenery, fascinating geology, beaches, resettled towns, and a 700m tidal walk.

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult

Duration: 1-6hr

Length: 7-14km

Route Type: Out & Back, Point to Point & Loop

Category: Coastal Trail

Coastal Trail, Terra Nova National Park

Newman Sounds Visitor Centre, Terra Nova National Park

The most popular trail in the park, the Coastal Trail starts at either the Visitor Centre or Newman Sound Campground. The trail meanders along the coast of inner Newman Sound, occasionally dipping down to sandy spots along the coast. Roughly half way the trail breaks out to a road at Headquarter's Wharf. From here follow the path up to Pissamere Falls. This trail is easy with some moderate climbs.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Duration: 3-4hr (return)

Length: 9.5km (return)

Route Type: Out & Back

Category: National Park Trail

Find More Great Hikes in Central Region

Eastern Region

Explore coastal trails overlooking sweeping bays and oceanside towns, with amazing sea stacks and caves. There are seven hikes in the Hike Discovery Trail network within the communities of King’s Cove, Trinity, Port Rexton, Champney’s West, Port Union, Elliston and Bonavista. Near Trinity, the Skerwink Trail was named a Travel + Leisure ‘Top Walk’.

View Great Trails in Eastern

Skerwink Trail, Hike Discovery

Port Rexton

Skerwink is part of the Hike Discovery Trail network. Near Trinity, this trail features beaches, arches, and sea stacks with off-kilter names like Music Box and Flat Fish. It’s walkable from spring to fall, which conveniently coincides with the best times to watch for whales and icebergs. Eagles and seabirds can be spotted as well. A Travel + Leisure "Top Walk."

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Duration: 2hr

Length: 5.3km

Route Type: Loop

Category: Coastal Trail

Murphy's Cove-Lodge's Pond Trail, Hike Discovery

Port Union, Trinity Bay North

There are 6 other Hike Discovery trails along the Bonavista Peninsula to explore. Part of the Hike Discovery network and the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark, this trail features headlands and magnificent ocean views, and opportunities to find fossils. At the halfway point is the Green Island Lighthouse, built in 1857 and one of the few remaining staffed lighthouses in the province. The trail then goes around the headland and through Murphy’s Cove, which was abandoned in the 1960s. In the fall, bring a container for picking blueberries.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 2.5hr

Length: 7.7km

Route Type: Loop

Category: Coastal Trail

Lighthouse Trail, Hike Discovery

King’s Cove

This trail is also part of the 7-trail network called the Hike Discovery. A former country road known as Battertons Path, this trail connected the lighthouse to the town of King's Cove. Now restored, the traditional path is part of the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark and provides access to spectacular coastal scenery and remarkable geological wonders, like the uniquely coloured rock layers from an ancient volcanic mountain range at Brook Point. Have a picnic on the grounds of the Old School, and pause to smell the wildflowers along Pat Murphy’s Meadows.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 1.5hr

Length: 3.7km

Route Type: Loop

Category: Coastal Trail

Chamber Cove Heritage Walk

St. Lawrence

Likely the most thought-provoking trail you’ll hike, this route unfolds the tragic story of a WWII shipwreck disaster involving a convoy of American naval ships: the USS Truxtun, USS Pollux, and USS Wilkes. Visit the memorial monument and read about the brave story of the local miners who rescued 186 sailors. The trail itself is full of impressive cliffs and bluffs extending far out to sea, concealing the beaches beneath them.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Duration: 40 min (return)

Length: 1.5 km Loop trail, 3 km (return) 

Route Type: Loop, Out & Back

Category: Coastal Trail

Find More Great Hikes in Eastern Region

Avalon Region

This is a place full of beauty, culture, and the rugged drama of a seafaring peninsula. It’s home to the East Coast Trail, with over 336 kilometres of scenic hikes, perfect for exploring our stunning coastline.

View Great Trails in Avalon

Chance Cove Coastal Trail

Chance Cove, Trinity Bay

The trail winds through the forest touching down at the far end of Chance Cove Beach, which can be used as another access point. From the beach, the trail continues uphill and onward, offering spectacular views of the coastline as well as providing access to hidden sandy beaches, scenic lookout points, and sea caves. Green Head offers a full view of Trinity Bay and Chance Cove with its vivid emerald waters. There are picnic locations and benches along the route.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Duration: 1hr

Length: 3.7km

Route Type: Loop

Category: Coastal Trail

Grates Cove Rockwall Garden Walk

Grates Cove

A walk with views that are just as captivating as the area’s history. The rock walls at Grates Cove National Historic Site date back to 1790 and follow the contours of the treeless, windswept headland. Locals used these walls to separate their farming and gardening efforts.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Duration: 1.5hr (return)

Length: 2.5km (return)

Route Type: Loop, Out & Back

Category: Coastal Trail, Town & City Treks

Shoreline Heritage Walking Trail

Bay Roberts

Foundations, rock walls and root cellars remain where houses, vegetable gardens and fishing stages once stood on this early settlement. From cliffs, coves, beaches, and headlands see whales follow capelin, squid, and other fish into the bay, especially in June and July. At Madrock, pause to take in the surf pounding against the shore, and you’ll know how this place got its name.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Duration: 2hr

Length: 8km

Route Type: Loop

Category: Coastal Trail

Butter Pot Hill Trail, Butter Pot Provincial Park

Butter Pot Provincial Park

Starting from the Pegwood Pond Trail, this hike starts with a leisurely stroll through a forested path and along the pond’s boardwalk. You can also start from Peter's Pond Trail, which is a slightly longer route. Gradually you’ll begin your 300-metre climb to the top of Butter Pot Hill, where you’ll have 360-degree views of the entire park at the summit. A giant rock cairn marks the spot.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Duration: 2.5 - 3hr (return)

Length: 6.6km / 8km

Route Type: Out & Back

Category: National Park Trail

The East Coast Trail

Topsail Beach to Cape St. Francis to Cappahayden

A National Geographic Traveler "Top Coastal Destination," this network of salt-scoured trails passes through 30 communities. From Topsail to Cape St. Francis through St. John’s to Capphayden, each trail has distinctive topography, history, and surprises – like a geyser powered by the waves and the first sunrise in North America. Tour operators are available to guide you and to provide transportation and luggage transfer between trail heads.

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult

Duration: Short Walks, Day Hikes & Multi-day Hikes

Length: 336km

Route Type: Out & Back, Point to Point

Category: Coastal Trail

Grand Concourse & Downtown St. John’s

St. John’s and Environs

The Grand Concourse is a vast network of walkways and trails winding through St. John’s and connecting Mount Pearl, Paradise, and many other communities. Downtown St. John’s – made up of Duckworth Street, Water Street, and Harbour Drive – makes for a fine day out, twacking along the some of the oldest streets in North America and exploring the waterfront. Other trails and boardwalks meander around lakes, along streams, and through peaceful wooded valleys.

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult

Duration: Short Walks, Day Hikes & Multi-day Hikes

Length: 160km

Route Type: Out & Back, Point to Point

Category: Town & City Treks

North Head Trail, Parks Canada Signal Hill National Historic Site

Signal Hill National Historic Site, St. John’s

The city meets the sea on this iconic St. John's hike. Start atop Signal Hill National Historic Site, and descend via boardwalk stairs and footpaths to the Narrows of St. John's Harbour and into the colourful community of the Battery. For a popular challenge, start instead in the Battery, and climb the trail to the top – nearly 500 feet above you! Named one of the "World’s Greatest Walks" by Rodales Organic Life.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Duration: 90min (descending)

Length: 1.7km

Route Type: Point to Point

Category: Coastal Trail, Trails in National Historic Sites

Find More Great Hikes in Avalon Region

Labrador Region

Here, you'll find plenty of fresh air and a truly authentic and self-reliant people. The Labrador Pioneer Footpath takes you on a hiking adventure following traditional walking routes along the shores of the Labrador Straits. Expect magnificent scenic views and lookout for whales and icebergs.

View Great Trails in Labrador

Labrador Pioneer Footpath

From L'Anse Au Clair to Pinware, Expedition 51° - South

This coastal trail combines a series of traditional walking paths along the shore of the Labrador Straits, running between L’Anse au Clair and Pinware. Once the only land link between these communities, you can look out for shipwrecks, whales, icebergs, and Atlantic Canada’s tallest lighthouse. Footpath can be completed as a series of day walks on a mini pilgrimage between towns with overnights at cozy accommodations.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Duration: Short Walks, Day Hikes & Multi-day Hikes

Length: 110km

Route Type: Point to Point

Category: Coastal Trail

The Seashore Boardwalk

Rigolet

Enjoy the fresh ocean air while walking one of North America’s longest wooden boardwalks. There's a gazebo and seating area located on top of Burnt Wood Point Hill as well as a viewfinder and storyboards. Several lookout points located on the way offer the perfect vantage point overlooking Rigolet. Look for marine wildlife like whales and seals, and view some old Inuit historical sites where sod houses once stood.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Duration: 3hr

Length: 8.4km

Route Type: Point to Point

Category: Coastal Trail

Find More Great Hikes in Labrador Region

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DiscoverHiking & Walking Experiences

There’s no end to the unique and exciting ways to experience hiking and walking in the province. For the foodies among us, culinary, foraging, boil-up, and picnic hikes are a must. If you want to take a walk on the wild side, do it literally at one of our guided hikes through wilderness and coastal trails. Or take things up a notch on a bucket list hike to the most easterly point in North America or the summit of an inland fjord.

Walk through living history as you stroll ancestral trails that connected towns together before roads existed. Or venture even further back in time on one of our interpretive fossil and geology hikes. Whichever path you choose, there’ll be plenty of photo opportunities (and the province is always camera-ready) but if you’d like to focus on snapping pictures, our photography hikes are for you.

Going for a brisk walk over spectacular terrain is a great way to work up an appetite. Combine that with a bit of music and some friendly people and you’ve got Trails, Tales and Tunes, a walking festival held every spring in Gros Morne National Park. If you’re visiting in September, you won’t want to miss Roots, Rants & Roars, a festival that takes over Elliston on the Bonavista Peninsula. The highlight is a 5-kilometre looped hike with stops along the way for scrumptious delicacies prepared by master chefs. 

 

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Six Amazing Things You Can Experience Only on a Hike in Newfoundland and Labrador

In these parts, a walk in the woods is just the beginning of your adventure. This place is full of unique coves, bights and barrens just waiting to be explored. Whether it be a seabird by the shore or a bergy bit in the bay, this is a province where you can let your curiosity carry you along 29,000 kilometres of pristine coastline. Newfoundland and Labrador is set against a backdrop of natural wonder, and it provides plenty of distractions along the way. Here is just a few of the amazing things you can find when you pull on your walking books and hit the trails in #ExploreNL.
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