Foot Traffic Welcome

TWILLINGATE

If you drive north from the town of Twillingate on Highway (okay, road) 340, you’ll pass a small sign on the left side of the road for Sea Breeze Park.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but if you park your car and walk towards the coast, you’ll be greeted by magnificent, craggy cliffs that are pounded by foamy white breakers, as well as gorgeous rocky bays and easy walking paths.

This used to be a mining area, so there are also old bits of rusty mining equipment scattered about to add to the slightly spooky ambience. A bit further north is the Long Point Lighthouse, which sits high on a hill and has amazing trails all around that offer views of small islets and deep blue water that stretches on just shy of forever.

You might spot whales or, in early summer, brilliant white icebergs. It’s one of my favourite parts of Canada, and one that few Canadians have the pleasure of visiting.

GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK, ROCKY HARBOUR & BONNE BAY

The Gros Morne Mountain Hike is consistently rated one of the finest in Canada. Take water and food, wear your best hiking shoes and layers of clothes for what could be rapidly changing weather.

Also make sure your cell phone is fully charged if you need help. The hike is a full 17 km’s in length and takes most people six to eight hours. There are plenty of rocky areas and some bits of loose shale, so walk carefully.

If you make it to the famous overlook, you’ll have gob-smackingly beautiful views of Western Brook Pond, a fjord-like body of water that’s flanked by towering mountains of ancient, grey rock.

If you’re limited in time or unable to handle a challenging hike, you can take a wonderful, relaxing boat ride on the pond and admire the rugged scenery from below. The last time I was in Western Newfoundland I also had a fabulous, two-hour kayaking trip on the gentle waters of Bonne Bay.

SKERWINK TRAIL, PORT REXTON

This 5.3 km trail near the pretty village of Trinity starts with an easy walk through a thick forest on relatively flat land. But then it starts to climb, and things get interesting.

The trees get gnarlier, with deep pine/juniper smells and plants with small red berries and what looks like a Newfoundland version of Spanish moss in the trees.

Pretty soon you should spot an opening in the forest that reveals a fence near a cliff. If you wander over and look down you’ll spot a vast sea of gentle green water lapping up against tall, towering black rocks called sea stacks that have been blasted by strong Atlantic winds and baked by the sun for eons. 

Further along you’ll emerge onto a large, grassy plateau that juts out into the water, with tremendous views down the bay and out to the open ocean. When you finish your walk, try a craft beer on the patio at Port Rexton Brewing.

ST. JOHN’S

The 1.7 km walk from The Battery neighbourhood to Signal Hill might be the best urban hike in Canada.

You start in a maze of narrow laneways that snake through a series of colourful homes and art galleries, often with maps and instructions for first-time hikers.

At one point, you pretty much cross someone’s front deck. It’s not a walk for kids, as part of the path clings to some pretty gnarly rocks not far from the bay.

If you want to go all the way to the top of Signal Hill, be prepared for an elevation rise of about 170 meters over a trail and hundreds of steps on wooden staircases built by Parks Canada. Signal Hill offers sensational views of the city, or sometimes the island’s famous fog rolling in.

On a clear day, you can gaze down the coast to Cape Spear, the easternmost point of Canada. There are also fine trails in and around the charming seaside village of Quidi Vidi, including exceptional coastal views at a spot called Cuckhold’s Head.

In early summer, try a tour with Iceberg Quest to admire massive, white-blue icebergs in every shape and size. It’s truly a magnificent experience. You can also do whalewatching tours out of St. John’s and nearby Bay Bulls, or visit colonies of colourful puffins.