Sir Hugh Palliser was a governor of Newfoundland in the 18th century and the man who sent Captain Cook to survey the west coast. The highway named after him, along the north shore of the Bay of Islands, Route 440, takes visitors into an area great for ocean fishing, hiking, and birdwatching.
Tours in the area will give you a more in-depth experience, and plenty of interaction with the locals. You can learn how to cod fish and filet in Cox’s Cove, and pair the experience with seafood boil-ups and farm-to-table feasts with ingredients grown locally. If you’re lucky enough to be here in the winter, try some guided ice fishing or join a snowmobiling tour.
Corner Brook, the largest city on the west coast, is just a slight detour from this trail and has additional lodging and dining options.