To the people of Corner Brook… I apologize. I was wrong. In a lot of ways, Corner Brook reminded me of some of my favourite outdoorsy towns in BC like Revelstoke or Port McNeill. It’s a young town with a resource focus, but the reason locals love it so much because of the incredible access to nature just outside of town.

I’ve been to Corner Brook twice, and the first time I visited, I was constantly surprised at how beautiful it was. The Bay of Islands region in particular was stunning. On both trips I did lots of hiking (of course) but I also ate great food.

Since I haven’t seen everything the town has to offer, I also had my husband and some travel friends help me put together this guide to things to do in Corner Brook. It includes:

• A Map of Corner Brook that includes all of the places I mention in this post.
• Best things to do in Corner Brook: Viewpoints, hiking, history, extreme sports, and more.
• Where to eat in Corner Brook: My picks for the best restaurants and cafes.
• Where to stay in Corner Brook including my pick for the coolest hotel in Newfoundland.
• Corner Brook Basics: How to get there? How long to spend? Best time to go?

Planning a trip to Newfoundland? I’ve got a big list of the best things to do Newfoundland plus lots of travel tips for the province.

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Thanks so much to Go Western Newfoundland for hosting my friends and I during my two trip to Corner Brooks. All opinions are my own and my husband’s experiences were not hosted. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Map of Corner Brook

To help you find your way around, I made this custom Google Map of Corner Brook for you. It includes every single place I mention in this post.

Best Things to Do in Corner Brook

Corner Brook Stream Trail

On my first, I caught up with an old friend from university who has lived in Corner Brook for the last 15 years. She suggested we get coffee and go for a walk. I expected an urban stroll but instead, she led me through the Corner Brook Stream Trails around Glynmill Pond.

The easy forested paths lead around the pond and nearby stream. With its central location, it was really cool to experience nature in the middle of a city.

My second visit to Corner Brook was in the fall. I went on a hike with Robbie, one of the owners of Gros Morne Adventures, who is a lifelong Corner Brooker. He took us on a longer hike along the Corner Brook Stream Trail to see the fall colours.

We started near Crockers Road, then hiked down to a viewpoint above the gorge. From there, we continued downstream to Margaret Bowater Park and Glynmill Pond on the Pipeline Trail. The entire hike is about 6 km long and has incredible views. And if you visit in late September or early October, the autumn colours are spectacular.

Railway Society of Newfoundland Museum

On my first trip, my husband Greg spent some time in Corner Brook while I was off hiking. He discovered the Railway Society of Newfoundland Museum. It’s a collection of old locomotives and train cars. For a few dollars, you can go inside and look at the historic artifacts.

The railway played an important part in settling the province’s interior and my husband said it was pretty interesting. However, he might be a bit biased because he had just finished cycling most of the way across the province on the Newfoundland T’Railway, a trail that follows the path of the former railway.

Captain Cook Historic Site

The best view in Corner brook is Captain Cook Historic Site at the top of Crow Hill. From the viewing platform, you can gaze down on Corner Brook and across to the Bay of Islands and the Blomidon Mountains.

There are also lots of info boards and a statue of Captain James Cook. Cook spent five years mapping the western coast of Newfoundland and nearby Labrador.

The view is great year-round, but I really enjoyed the fall colours on my most recent visit.

Marble Zip Tours

Marble Mountain Resort is just 10 minutes east of Corner Brook. In the winter, it’s the largest ski resort in Atlantic Canada. But it’s worth visiting year-round to ride their ziplines. Marble Zip Tours has a huge zipline course with nine lines that zigzag across a gorge above and below Steady Brook Falls.

Honestly, these were some of the best ziplines I have done. They were fast, and scary (in a good way) since many of the lines are really far off the ground. The last few lines are also really long.

The fall colours here in early October were also insane. The whole Humber Valley has some of the best fall colours in Newfoundland.

If ziplining isn’t for you, it’s still possible to see some of this scenery. You can hike to Steady Brook Falls, which has viewing platforms. It’s an easy 1 km hike with about 100 m of elevation gain.

Man in the Mountain

Across the Humber Valley from Marble Mountain, you’ll find the Man in the Mountain. From the bottom, you can gaze up and spot the face in the rocks.

But if you follow the Humber Valley Trail to the top you’ll get an incredible view. It is one of Newfoundland’s best hikes. I hiked it with Glen from Everoutdoor and he explained that the trail is also part of the Trans Canada Trail and the International Appalachian Trail.

The trail is steep, but there are a few viewpoints on the way up. The best views are from Arne’s Lookout at the top. It looks down to the Humber Valley and Corner Brook, and had an incredible display of fall colours in early October.

ATVing

I was surprised to see ATVs rolling right through downtown Corner Brook past my hotel. Locals explained that the city is very ATV-friendly and there are several designated ATV routes through the heart of the city that connect with trails.

On my second visit to Corner Brook I went out on an ATV tour with Melissa and Craig from Rugged Edge. We drove past Corner Brook City Hall and the Corner Brook sign, then out of the city to some nearby trails. I even got to drive for a short stretch!

Bay of Islands

Until my most recent visit to Newfoundland, I hadn’t heard of the Bay of Islands. It’s a long inlet with Corner Brook at its head. And it lives up to its name – there are a sprinkling of islands at its mouth.

The region used to be dotted with isolated, water-access-only fishing villages. Today, roads connect villages in the southern and eastern parts of the bay and the villages on the islands are abandoned.

It’s a strikingly beautiful place. The green flanks of the Long Range Mountains, Lewis Hills, Blomidon Mountains, and Blow Me Down Mountains rise up out of the ocean and the rugged coastline is riddled with caves and rocky clefts.

The entire region is part of the aspiring Cabox UNESCO Global Geopark. Named for the highest peak on the island of Newfoundland, the proposed geopark will recognize and protect the exceptional geology of the area. This region is sometimes called the Galapagos of plate tectonics since the rocks here confirmed the theory of plate tectonics in the 1960s and 70s.

It’s worth driving Highway 450 from Corner Brook to Lark Harbour just to admire the views. You can also continue a few minutes further to the end of the pavement at the adorable tiny fishing village of Little Port. The trip takes about an hour. Be sure to stop at Lark Harbour Tilt for coffee and snacks.

The Saltbox

The Saltbox is a must-stop on any trip to the Bay of Islands. It’s a little restaurant with a great patio right on the bay in Benoit’s Cove. I had incredibly fresh mussels here as part of a boil-up dinner.

But there is another reason to visit – The Saltbox acts as a visitor info centre for the Cabox Geopark and the entire Bay of Islands region. The walls of the building are covered, inside and out, with maps, diagrams and photos about the local area.

I studied physical geography and geology as part of my undergraduate degree, so I loved looking at all the maps. In particular, the map showing how the Appalachian mountains of the eastern USA continue up into Newfoundland was particularly interesting.

Kayaking in the Bay of Islands

Before the roads were built, everyone travelled through the Bay of Islands by boat. Everoutdoor Adventures offers kayak rentals and tours out of their headquarters at The Saltbox in Benoit’s Cove.

On both of my trips to Corner Brook, I was too busy hiking, so I didn’t get to go out on the water. But I was travelling with my friend Mary Anne from the Let’s Take This Outside podcast on my first visit, and she opted to go on a kayaking tour.

She had a great time on her tour and said it “felt like a peaceful little escape… We kayaked along the southern shore up St. John’s Beach, soaking in the quiet nature. My guide Rob from Everoutdoor Adventures was incredibly knowledgeable on the history and wildlife.”

While I didn’t get to do a tour with Rob, I did chat with him that evening over dinner. Rob is one of the main drivers behind the Cabox Aspiring Geopark. His passion for his home ecosystem in Bay of Islands is contagious.

Cape Blow Me Down

On my fall trip to Corner Brook I hiked Cape Blow Me Down, and it cemented my love for the Bay of Islands area. It’s a steep trail that works its way up to the highest point on the peaks ringing the south side of the bay.

There are great views of the bay and coastline from multiple points on the ascent, but the views from the top are the best.

Be warned, the hike does live up to its name: It can be crazy windy on top. I had to brace myself against the wind to stay standing up! As a local told us later, it’s so windy it could blow the milk out of your tea!

Bottle Cove and the South Head Lighthouse Trail

If you are looking for a spectacular hike, check out the Bottle Cove and South Head Lighthouse Trails near Lark Harbour in the Bay of Islands. Both are on my list of the best hikes in Newfoundland.

If you just want a short walk, wander through the trails at Bottle Cove. The paths lead down to the beach and through the forest to a viewpoint on a windy headland.

But I recommend continuing through the forest and up the hills on the South Head Lighthouse Trail. At the top, there are incredible views of the islands at the mouth of Bay of Islands.

Volunteers from Outer Bay of Islands Enhancement Committee have built and maintained several trails in the area including the Bottle Cove and South Head Lighthouse Trails. I met two volunteers fixing a small bridge on my hike. Please consider making a donation if you hike here.

Stephenville and the Port au Port Peninsula

If you’re looking for a good day trip from Corner Brook, I recommend heading south to Stephenville and the Port au Port Peninsula. It’s an interesting (and gorgeous) area with a unique mix of French and Indigenous heritage along with more recent history as a WWII-era American military base.

In my opinion, the main reason to go the Port au Port area is for the scenery. The narrow and rocky isthmus connects the peninsula to the mainland and the roads follow the coastline.

One of the prettiest hikes I did in this area leaves right from the end of the isthmus. The flat and easy Danny’s Walking Trail at The Gravels follows the rocky coastline in and out of coves for a few kilometres.

Another spot I loved was Boutte du Cap Park at the end of the Port au Port Peninsula. It has towering sea cliffs and incredible views.

Other highlights in this area include Our Lady of Mercy Church, Newfoundland’s largest wooden structure, Secret Cove Brewing, and the Fossilized Tree Trail in Stephenville.

It takes about 1 hour to drive from Corner Brook to Stephenville and another hour to get from there to the end of the Port au Port Peninsula. Plan to spend a full day on this road trip.

Deer Lake

If you fly to Western Newfoundland, you’ll land at Deer Lake Regional Airport. The nearby town of Deer Lake is pretty small – it has about 5000 residents.

The town is named for the lake upon which it sits, which means it has a pretty good sandy beach. And while the water isn’t tropical, it’s much warmer than the Atlantic Ocean!

If it isn’t beach weather, there are a few other options for things to do in Deer Lake. I spent a pleasant hour walking along the flat and easy Humber River Trail near the airport.

If you want to stay indoors, the Newfoundland Insectarium lets you get up close to butterflies and lots of other insects.

Gros Morne National Park

The southern entrance to Gros Morne National Park is about 1 hour north of Corner Brook so I recommend visiting the park too. It’s huge with lots of hikes, historical sites, and viewpoints. For all of my recommendations, check out my guide to Gros Morne National Park.

Where to Eat in Corner Brook

Brewed Awakening: My friend took me to Brewed Awakening to pick up coffee and a snack to enjoy on our walk along the Corner Brook Stream Trails. She said it’s one of the best places to get coffee in town. She was right – my latte was great.

Hew and Draw Restaurant/Boomstick Brewing Co.: The Hew and Draw Restaurant and Boomstick Brewing share space at the Hew & Draw Hotel. It has a hip big-city vibe and a menu to match. I stayed at this hotel on both trips so I can vouch for their excellent breakfast. Their dinner menu is also great – try the lobster roll.

Park West: One of the most upscale restaurants in Corner Brook, but still unpretentious. Look for lots of locally-sourced ingredients. I had an incredible tuna tartare made with tuna that one of the restaurant owners caught!

Newfound Sushi: I didn’t expect to find high-end and innovative sushi in Corner Brook, but Newfound Sushi does it. Their menu calls out which items include locally caught fish. I had an incredible omakase sushi patter that featured smoked arctic char, local tuna, and Atlantic salmon. Their signature rolls are also great.

The Saltbox: Eat next to the water at The Saltbox in beautiful Benoit’s Cove in Bay of Islands. I had an incredible seafood boil-up here including mussels and moose tacos.

Harbour Grounds: This cute coffee shop has an incredible view of Corner Brook Harbour and serves up great panini sandwiches.

Sugar and Dice: On my first trip, My husband spent an afternoon working remotely at Sugar and Dice and said it had a great vibe. They serve breakfast, lunch, coffee, and treats. And they have a huge selection of board games you can play while you eat.

Where to Stay in Corner Brook

Hew and Draw Hotel: I’ve stayed here twice now, and it’s by far the coolest hotel I’ve stayed at anywhere in Newfoundland. It has a modern feel with high ceilings and lots of thoughtful touches like original art and wallpaper from local artists. Hikers will appreciate the free guest laundry station and the hot tubs. I also love that a big restaurant breakfast is included. Check rates.

Glynmill Inn: I walked past the Glynmill Inn on my stroll along the Corner Brook Stream Trails and it looked really cute. The historic Tudor-style building is a designed provincial heritage structure. Check rates.

Corner Brook Basics

How to Get There

Getting to Corner Brook is fairly easy. It’s a quick 40-minute drive from nearby Deer Lake, which has a regional airport. You can fly directly to Deer Lake from Montreal, Halifax, Toronto, and other Canadian cities. You can also fly to Deer Lake from St. John’s, which is what I did.

It’s also possible to get to Corner Brook by road. You can drive there from St. John’s in about 7 hours. But of course, I recommend turning it into a Newfoundland road trip and stopping at lots of cute towns like Trinity, Bonavista, Twillingate, and Fogo Island.

There is also a bus service from St. John’s that stops in Deer Lake and Corner Brook.

If you’re coming from Nova Scotia, you can take the Marine Atlantic ferry to Port aux Basques. The sailing takes about 7 hours. It’s 2.5 drive from Port aux Basques to Corner Brook. On my first trip to Newfoundland, I took the overnight ferry since I was living in Halifax at the time and had my car with me.

Getting Around

While there are a few things to see in the centre of Corner Brook, you’ll want a car to explore the surrounding area. Deer Lake Airport is the easiest place to rent a car. I use DiscoverCars since it lets me compare prices between car rental companies.

However, it is possible to get around Corner Brook on public transit or taxis. If you want to go hiking outside the city, I recommend booking a tour with Everoutdoor Adventures – they can get you to the trailhead.

How Long to Spend

I recommend spending at least one night in Corner Brook. That will give you enough time to see the main sights. But if you love the outdoors, you’ll want two or three days.

Best Time to Go

I’ve heard that Corner Brook is gorgeous year-round. The winter photos look gorgeous and locals raved to me about skiing and snowshoeing. But most visitors will have the best experience between late May and early-October. That’s when the weather is the nicest and when most tourist businesses are open.

If you want a different experience than most visitors get, consider visiting in fall. It’s perfect hiking weather and you’ll get most of the hikes and attractions to yourself. My guide to fall in Western Newfoundland has all the details.

Weather

Like the rest of Newfoundland, the western part of the province is never that warm. However, in June, July, and August the average high temperature in Corner Brook is 22°C – a bit higher than other parts of Newfoundland!

The Blow Me Down Mountains are just outside of Corner Brook, which should give you a hint that it’s often windy here. As well, rain storms are common in every month. Bring warm clothing and a rain jacket, just in case.

Final Thoughts

I’ve been to Newfoundland three times now and I feel kind of stupid to have skipped Corner Brook on my first visit. I really fell in love with the Bay of Islands and would love to go back there to do even more hiking. Even though it’s a long, off-trail trek, I want to summit The Cabox – the highest mountain on the island.

I know I haven’t seen everything in the Corner Brook area… yet. If you’ve been, give me some more suggestions for things to do in the comments. Because I’m sure I’ll be back.

READ NEXT:

• 20 Incredible Things to Do in Newfoundland
• Fall in Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland
• 16 Best Hikes in Newfoundland
• Things to Do in Gros Morne National Park
• 18 Best Things to Do in St. John’s, Newfoundland
• 10 Things To Do in Bonavista, Newfoundland
• 12 Things To Do in Trinity, Newfoundland
• 10 Things To Do in Twillingate, Newfoundland
• Things to do on Fogo Island, Newfoundland

The post Things to Do in Corner Brook, Newfoundland appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Fall in Western Newfoundland is gorgeous. Unlike many other areas of Newfoundland, Corner Brook has lots of deciduous trees, so they have some of the best autumn colours in the province. Nearby Gros Morne also has great fall colours in the alpine blueberry bushes and grasses turn amber and crimson.

It was also much quieter in the fall, which meant lower prices, fewer crowds, and more time chatting with friendly locals.

I spent most of my trip hiking to maximize my time with the changing leaves, but I also managed to fit in quite a few other fall activities. Here’s my guide to visiting Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland in fall. It includes:

• Why visit Newfoundland in fall? I explain why I love it
• Map of Western Newfoundland that includes all the places I mention in this post.
• Best things to do in Gros Morne, Corner Brook, and Deer Lake in fall: hiking, ATVing, boat tours, viewpoints, and more.
• Where to eat: My picks for the best restaurants in Gros Morne and Corner Brook
• Where to stay: My picks for hotels in Gros Morne, Corner Brook, and Deer Lake
• Fall Travel Tips for Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland: When to go? How long to spend? What’s the weather like? And lots more.

Hey there: Thanks so much to go Go Western Newfoundland for hosting my experiences on my recent fall trip. All opinions in this post are my own Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Why Visit in Fall?

Most people go to Newfoundland in the summer. (The prime tourist season is July and August.) But after visiting in late September and early October, I have to say that fall in Newfoundland is gorgeous.

Here are three reasons why I recommend visiting Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland in fall:

1. Fall colours: This is the big one. You get the traditional yellow, orange, and red of deciduous forests changing colour (especially around Corner Brook), but you also get the beauty of the boreal forest and alpine plants changing from green to crimson and gold.
2. It’s low season: That means you’ll get viewpoints, trails and attractions almost to yourself and can take advantage of lower accommodation prices. It also means that you’ll have a better chance of connecting with friendly locals.
3. Perfect hiking weather: It’s a bit colder than summer, so the bugs are dead and you won’t get sweaty. The weather is just sunny as in the summer, and the winter rain (and snow) is still a month or two away.

Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland Fall Map

To help you plan your trip and find your way around, I created a custom Google Map of fall highlights in Gros Morne National Park and Western Newfoundland for you. It includes every place I mention in this post.

Best Things to Do in Fall in Gros Morne

Western Brook Pond Boat Tour

Taking a boat tour of Western Brook Pond is a classic Gros Morne activity. The 2-hour tour takes you down the length of the former fjord past waterfalls and beneath cliffs. It’s pretty incredible scenery!

I had done this tour before in August, but doing it in the fall felt like a different experience since so many of the trees on the slopes of the pond were lit up in yellow and gold. We also spotted a giant moose!

This tour is also one of the most accessible ways to see fall colours in Gros Morne. The 3 km walk to the boat dock is flat, easy, scenic, and takes about 45 minutes. And if you aren’t up for the walk, you can catch a ride in on a golf cart.

The best views are from the top deck, which is outside, so be sure to dress for the weather. I recommend packing warm, waterproof, and windproof clothing just in case. The wind really picks up in the afternoon. (I’ve got more packing tips at the bottom of this post.)

Pro tip: Sit on the left side of the boat for a closer view of the scenery.

Under the Stump ATV Tours

If you’re looking to explore Gros Morne’s backcountry, but you want an accessible way to do it, book an ATV Tour with Under the Stump. I did a 2-hour tour with Trina in her side-by-side ATV, and it was so much fun!

She drove us out into the Rocky Harbour Hills, a small pocket of wilderness that is surrounded by Gros Morne National Park, but not actually in the park. She told us about the history of the area, including her Mi’kmaq heritage and taught us about how to forage for several types of local plants.

The fall colours were also great: we drove through an area called the Barrens where treeless hilltop was covered in crimson blueberry bushes. The tour also had stand-out views of Gros Morne Mountain from its less-seen eastern side.

Fall Hikes in Gros Morne

While the hiking in Gros Morne is spectacular (many of the hikes in the park are on my list of the best hikes in Newfoundland), many of the park’s trails are in evergreen forests. However, there two hikes that particularly beautiful in the fall:

Lookout Trail

The Lookout Trail has the best fall colours in Gros Morne. The bottom part of the trail goes through deciduous forest with red and gold maple and alder trees. Once you get higher into the hills, the trees disappear, and you’ll walk through blueberry meadows with leaves that have turned crimson.

The moderate 5.8 km hike takes 2 to 3 hours and gains about 360 m. The climb through the forest is on a machine-built trail that works its way uphill, but is never too steep. Towards the top, you’ll be walking on boardwalks across an upland bog and on a natural trail through the meadows. The highlight is a wooden viewing platform with an incredible panoramic view of Bonne Bay and Gros Morne Mountain.

Gros Morne Mountain

My favourite fall hike in Gros Morne National Park was ascending Gros Morne Mountain, the second-highest peak in Newfoundland. The first part of the hike, called the Gros Morne Approach, goes through the forest with glimpses of fall colours. As we got closer to the viewing platform, we could see the yellows and reds of the low blueberry bushes and grasses on the slopes of the mountains changing colour.

The next part of the hike, called the Gros Morne Summit Trail, is a loop that goes up one side of the mountain and then down another. This section had more views of the red blueberry bushes and yellow grasses, but from above. And of course, the views from the summit were insane.

This is a long and difficult hike. The Gros Morne Approach Trail is 9 km return with 460 m of elevation gain and takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours. The Gros Morne Summit Trail is an 8 km loop with 535 m of elevation gain and takes 3.5 to 5.5 hours.

So if you want to summit the mountain, you’re looking at a 17 km hike with 995 m of elevation gain between 6 and 9 hours on the trail. For reference, it took me about 7.5 hours, which included several long snack and photo breaks.

More Things to Do in Gros Morne

While I’ve highlighted must-do activities in fall above, there are tons of other things to do in Gros Morne. My guide to Gros Morne National Park has a full run-down on where to go and what to see.

While they aren’t specifically fall activities, I recommend spending time in Woody Point, hiking the Tablelands and Green Gardens Trails, and exploring the coastline at Lobster Cove Head or Green Point, among tons of other things to do.

Best Things to Do in Fall in Corner Brook

Captain Cook Historic Site

Corner Brook sits in a broad valley, so it has tons of deciduous trees that turn crimson and amber each autumn. The best place to get an aerial view of the fall colours is from Captain Cook Historic Site, a viewing platform atop a hill on the west side of Corner Brook. You can look down to the mill site in the centre of town, across the Bay of Islands, and inland along the Corner Brook Stream.

Captain Cook spent five years mapping the coastlines of Newfoundland and Labrador, so there is a set of info plaques at the historic site explaining his life and voyages.

Marble Zip Tours

If you’re up for a bit of an adrenaline rush, go ziplining with Marble Zip Tours. Honestly, the fall colours here were some of the best I saw on my whole trip. The nine ziplines go back and forth across Steady Brook, passing through stands of trees with full autumn colours.

Even without the fall colours, these are the most scenic ziplines I’ve ever ridden. (Honestly, I think the views here are better than the ziplines in Whistler!) The ziplines go over top of and in front of Steady Brook Falls, which is spectacular.

I also found these ziplines on the scarier side (in a good way). Some of them are very high up – one of the lines is the second-highest one in Canada. While some of the platforms have ramps or stairs to ease you into the zip experience, a few require you to just take a leap of faith and jump off! The last few lines are also really long.

If ziplining isn’t for you, it’s still possible to see some of this scenery. You can hike to Steady Brook Falls, which has viewing platforms. It’s an easy 1 km hike with about 100 m of elevation gain.

Rugged Edge ATV Tour

I took a great ATV tour with Melissa and Craig from Rugged Edge on the trails around Corner Brook. They took me on a circular route that included some rougher sections of trail along with some smooth bits. I even got to drive the side-by-side on some of the easy sections. The tour included viewpoints, ponds, and some fall colours.

However, my favourite part of the tour went right through the city. Corner Brook is an ATV-friendly city: there are designated streets that allow licensed ATV-drivers. We drove past City Hall, the Corner Brook sign, and my hotel! We also stopped into a historic store in Curling, an old fishing village that is now part of the city. It was so nice to connect with locals there over a cup of tea!

Fall Hikes near Corner Brook

The Corner Brook and Humber Valley area has some of the best fall colours in Western Newfoundland. And the best way to see them is on a hike.

Corner Brook Stream Trail

The Corner Brook Stream Trail meanders along beside the Corner Brook Stream in the heart of the city. If you’re looking for an easy and flat walk with some fall colours, explore the trails near Glynmill Pond.

But for the best views, you need to walk the entire Stream Trail, starting at the top off Crockers Road. The path works its way down to a viewpoint into the gorge, then across a bridge. On the other side, it meanders through stands of autumn colours (and beside the city’s water supply pipe) before descending to Margaret Bowater Park.

Along the way, there are lots of viewpoints to look down at the town and across the valley to even more fall colours. The easy hike from Crockers Road to the Glynmill Pond is about 6 km with 150 m of elevation gain and takes about 2 hours. You can do it as an out-and-back, but it’s easier as a one-way hike that is mostly downhill if you take a taxi to the start on Crockers Road.

Man in the Mountain/Arne’s Lookout

Of all the fall hikes I did in Western Newfoundland, the Man in the Mountain Trail had the best colours. The steep-sided Humber Valley has tons of deciduous trees that change colour in late September and early October.

The trail to the top of the bluff has several viewpoints that let you look across the river to Marble Mountain and down the valley to Corner Brook and the Bay of Islands. The trail is part of the much longer Humber Valley Trail, which in turn is part of the International Appalachian Trail.

I did a short loop using the steep Bear Head Trail and part of the Humber Valley Trail to visit Arne’s Lookout. You can also continue to the top of Man in the Mountain (a face in the rocks you can see from the Highway below).

The moderate/challenging loop I did is about 4.5 km round trip with 340 m of elevation gain. Plan to spend 2 to 2.5 hours.

Cape Blow Me Down

If you’re looking for something a little different, head out to the Bay of Islands to climb Cape Blow Me Down. It’s the tallest point on the hills flanking the south side of the bay. The hike starts in a mixed deciduous forest with a bit of fall colour. Before long, you climb above the treeline into an alpine landscape with lots of blueberry meadows turning red and grasses turning yellow.

The views above the treeline and from the top are spectacular: you can see the entire Bay of Islands as well as lots of fishing villages dotted along the coast.

Be warned, the hike does live up to its name: It can be crazy windy on top. I had to brace myself against the wind to stay standing up! As a local told us later, it’s so windy it could blow the milk out of your tea!

The moderate/challenging hike is about 7.5 km return with 650 m of elevation gain. Plan to spend 3 to 4.5 hours on the trail.

More Things to Do in Corner Brook

Besides the fall-specific activities above, there are lots more things to do in Corner Brook. My guide to Corner Brook has more details on what to see and where to eat.

My top picks for things you can do in the non-snowy months include day trips to the Bay of Islands and the Stephenville/Port-au-Port area, among other things to see in Corner Brook.

Best Things to Do in Fall in Deer Lake

Humber River Trail

If you’re looking for a gorgeous fall walk, head to the Humber River Trail in Deer Lake. It’s a flat and easy 5 km loop that takes about 1.5 hours. You can access the trail from the road to the airport or from Highway 430.

I spent a pleasant hour wandering beside the river and admiring the fall colours on the last morning of my trip. It was a great way to get a bit of exercise before a long day of travel. If possible, go in the morning when the air is still – you’ll get great reflections on the river.

Upper Humber Settlement Farm and Foraging Tour

One of the most unique experiences I had on my trip was a farm and foraging tour at Upper Humber Settlement. I spent the evening with the owner, Lauralee, who led me on a tour around her property. We collected greens, herbs, and mushrooms to make a salad while also learning about other wild plants.

Later, Lauralee cooked up a delicious moose meat dish in her outdoor gazebo while telling me stories about the war veteran history of Upper Humber Setttlment and reconnecting with her Indigenous heritage. Lauralee is a natural storyteller, and it was a pleasure to chat with her over some lovely food.

Kayaking with Humber River Off Grid

If you’d rather see fall colours from the water, book a kayaking tour with Humber River Off Grid. Ashley runs this unique off-grid business along the Upper Humber River north of Deer Lake, and has a popular YouTube Channel. Her remote property has off-grid cabins and tent rentals, and she also offers ATV tours and boil-ups where she cooks local food over a campfire.

But I headed into the wilderness to go kayaking on the Humber River with Ashley. While I was only 20 minutes from a paved road, it felt like we were miles from anywhere. We paddled a loop through the calm and meandering waters of the Upper Humber River while admiring the fall colours. We saw tons of evidence of beaver activity, but we didn’t spot any.

More Things to Do in Deer Lake

If you’re looking for more things to do in Deer Lake that aren’t purely fall-oriented, I’ve got a few suggestions.

If the weather is good, head to Deer Lake Beach. It’s a long sandy beach that makes a good place to walk, even if it isn’t warm enough to swim.

If you’d rather stay indoors, I spent a pleasant hour at the Newfoundland Insectarium. They have lots of unique live insects, including leaf-cutter ants, which kept me mesmerized for longer than I expected. But by far my favourite part is the butterfly house. I spent so much time wandering around watching them flit from flower to flower.

Where to Eat

Both Gros Morne and the Corner Brook area have lots of great restaurants. However, in the fall, some park restaurants are only open for a few days per week or may be closed for the season. Check opening hours and make advance reservations to avoid disappointment. Visit Gros Morne keeps an updated list of fall hours for local businesses.

Gros Morne

The Gros Morne area is split in half by Bonne Bay, so I’ve grouped my restaurant recommendations accordingly. In the South, you’ll find recommendations for restaurants in Woody Point, Shoal Brook, and Trout River. In the north, I’ve got picks for Rocky Harbour and Norris Point.

Southern Gros Morne

Merchant Warehouse: The front of this Woody Point restaurant is a full-on 50s soda shop, but they also have a big dining room and a patio overlooking the water. The fish and chips here were great, which isn’t a surprise since they have the same owners as the Seaside Restaurant in Trout River.

Galliott Studios and Cafe: This tiny coffee shop in Woody Point doubles as a pottery studio with drinks served in mugs thrown on site. Their sunny patio hangs over Bonne Bay and is lovely on a crisp fall day (but you’ll want to use one of their blankets). They also have a small selection of pottery and art for sale. I couldn’t resist the hand-drawn hiker stickers.

Taste: Located inside the Gros Morne Inn near Woody Point, this fine-dining restaurant focuses on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. A few years ago, I had a great lunch here with an incredible lobster bisque.

Seaside Restaurant: This iconic restaurant in Trout River is right on the beach. The same family has been cooking up seafood here since 1981. I had the best fried fish here a few years ago.

Northern Gros Morne

Chanterelle’s: I’ve eaten here twice, and it is easily the best restaurant in Gros Morne. It offers fine dining and exceptional food without too much pretension inside the Sugar Hill Inn in Norris Point. My advice here is to order anything local: the mussels, seafood cakes, and fish dishes are all excellent. For dessert or drinks, get something with partridge berries.

Cat Stop Pub: The Bonne Bay water shuttle docks right next to Cat Stop Pub in Norris Point, which has a huge waterfront patio. It’s a good place for a beer and casual pub food.

Old Store Cafe: This little cafe in Norris Point is a great spot for coffee, baked goods, and lunch. Try their “Gull Shit muffins” – they are chocolate muffins topped with cream cheese. Delicious!

Buoy & Arrow: This Indigenous-owned restaurant in Rocky Harbour has lots of locally-sourced game meat and seafood on the menu. I had an amazing moose burger. Their menu gives the names for dishes in both English and Mi’kmaq.

Java Jack’s: On my first visit to Gros Morne, we had a memorable dinner at Java Jack’s in Rocky Harbour. The restaurant is in a bright yellow house in the middle of the village. They serve upscale versions of traditional Newfoundland food. I had an elevated version of stroganoff with caribou instead of beef.

Corner Brook

Hew & Draw Restaurant/Boomstick Brewing: These two businesses share space on the ground floor of the Hew & Draw Hotel. It has a hip big-city vibe and a menu to match, plus lots of craft beer on tap – you can watch them make it too! I had an amazing dinner here (try the lobster roll), and a bunch of breakfasts since I was staying at the hotel. (Get the mushroom toast for breakfast!)

Park West: One of the most upscale restaurants in Corner Brook, but still unpretentious. Look for lots of locally-sourced ingredients. I had an incredible tuna tartare made with tuna that one of the restaurant owners caught!

Newfound Sushi: I didn’t expect to find high-end and innovative sushi in Corner Brook, but Newfound Sushi does it. Their menu calls out which items include locally caught fish. I had an incredible omakase sushi patter that featured smoked arctic char, local tuna, and Atlantic salmon. Their signature rolls are also great.

Harbour Grounds: This cute coffee shop has an incredible view of Corner Brook Harbour and serves up great panini sandwiches.

Sugar and Dice: On a previous trip, my husband spent an afternoon working remotely at Sugar and Dice and said it had a great vibe. They serve breakfast, lunch, coffee, and treats. And they have a huge selection of board games you can play while you eat.

Where to Stay

If you’re visiting Western Newfoundland in fall, it makes sense to split your stay with a few nights in Gros Morne and a few in Corner Brook. If you’ve got an early or late flight, it can make sense to spend your first or last night in Deer Lake to shorten your drive to the airport. Below I’ve got options for all three locations.

Gros Morne

Gros Morne Base Camp: I spent four nights at Gros Morne Base Camp’s Burnt Hill Cabins on my fall visit. These rustic but cute cabins felt like home with little kitchens and full living rooms. They are also an easy walk to the waterfront in Norris Point or the Old Store Cafe for a morning coffee. Check rates.

Bonne Bay Inn: I loved my stay at this boutique 10-room hotel in Woody Point a few years ago. It is perched on the hillside, so I had a great view of the bay from my room. Check rates.

Sugar Hill Inn: I had a great time at this quaint inn in Norris Point. It has huge rooms, and the wide front porch was great for enjoying the view. Plus, the best restaurant in the park, Chanterelle’s, is on site. Check rates.

Camping: Gros Morne National Park has five well-equipped campgrounds with flush toilets, showers, and even wifi. The Trout River, Berry Hill, and Shallow Bay campgrounds are open until late September. You can stay at Lomond and Green Point campgrounds until mid-October. On my first visit to the park, I stayed at Berry Hill Campground. It has a great central location near Rocky Harbour. Check rates.

Corner Brook

Hew and Draw Hotel: I’ve stayed here twice now, and it’s by far the coolest hotel I’ve stayed at anywhere in Newfoundland. It has a modern feel with high ceilings and lots of thoughtful touches like original art and wallpaper from local artists. Hikers will appreciate the free guest laundry station and the hot tubs. I also love that a big restaurant breakfast is included. Check rates.

Glynmill Inn: I walked past the Glynmill Inn on my stroll along the Corner Brook Stream Trails, and it looked really cute. The historic Tudor-style building is a designated provincial heritage structure. Check rates.

Deer Lake

Deer Lake Horizon Hotel: I stayed at the Deer Lake Horizon Hotel after arriving on a flight after midnight. It was comfortable, clean, and well-appointed. And they have a complimentary shuttle service and comfy beds, so I could pass right out as soon as I arrived. Check Rates.

Upper Humber River Settlement Farm Stay B&B: If you want to connect with locals, book a stay at this B&B on a working farm in Cormack, just outside Deer Lake. It has cozy rooms, a great breakfast, and a serene setting. The owner’s family is one of the original farming settlers in this area, and they are happy to chat about the area’s unique history. Check rates.

Travel Tips for Fall in Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland

Best Time to Go in Fall

The fall tourist season in Western Newfoundland runs from mid-September to early October. The peak fall colours are usually in the last week of September and the first week of October.

By early to mid-October October, some tour companies, restaurants, and accommodations will be closed or on reduced hours, but if you book ahead, they may stay open for you. Visit Gros Morne keeps an updated list of fall hours for local businesses.

How Long to Spend in Fall

I recommend spending 5 to 7 days in the Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland area in the fall. That’s enough time to see the National Park highlights and do a few hikes or tours.

I spent 10 days in the area in late September and early October. Honestly, I could have extended my trip by a few days to do even more hiking.

Fall Weather in Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland

Newfoundland in fall has variable weather. It rains a little bit more in September and early October than it does in summer, but not much. And it’s a few degrees colder than summer too, with average highs of 17°C/63°F and lows of 9°C/48°F.

That means that while it can be cold and rainy, you are sure to get quite a few days of sun as well. On my 10-day fall trip, most of the days were sunny, with a few cloudy days. I was lucky enough that the only times it rained were overnight or while I was in the car driving from one location to another.

It’s important to note that even if it isn’t that cold out, sunny weather can bring high winds, which makes it feel much colder!

What to Pack for Fall in Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland

Newfoundland is a pretty laid-back place, so you don’t need to bring anything fancy. Even if you go out for a fine dining dinner, nice jeans and a sweater are fine.

Make sure you bring clothing for the weather. A rain jacket and rain pants are key, especially if you plan to go hiking or take a boat tour. Even if it isn’t that cold, wind chill can be a major factor, so bring warm layers like a fleece or lightweight puffy jacket to wear under your rain gear. Don’t forget gloves and a toque or other warm hat.

Waterproof hiking boots are necessary if you’re planning to hit the trails. Pack a small backpack to carry snacks, layers, a water bottle, and other essentials. I’d also recommend bringing a rain cover for your backpack.

You should also be prepared for warm and sunny weather. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and at least one short-sleeved shirt. You never know what the weather is going to do!

How to Get to Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland

It’s easy to get to Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland since it’s close to Deer Lake Airport. It’s an easy 25-minute drive to the National Park or 40 minutes to Corner Brook. Deer Lake Airport has flights from major Canadian cities like Montreal, Halifax, Toronto, and St. John’s.

If you want to drive yourself, it’s about 7 hours from St. John’s. (But you’ll want to make stops along the way in Trinity, Bonavista, Twillingate, and Fogo Island.)

You can also drive to Western Newfoundland by taking the Marine Atlantic ferry from Nova Scotia. It docks in Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, which is 2.5 hours from Corner Brook and a little over 3 hours from Gros Morne National Park.

Getting Around Western Newfoundland

The easiest way to get around Western Newfoundland is to rent a car. The Deer Lake airport has lots of rental car options, and unlike in summer, they don’t get booked up. I like to use Discover Cars since it lets me compare rates across multiple rental companies.

Another option is to book a tour. Several small, local tour companies specialize in multi-day tours in the Gros Morne area.

On my fall trip, I spent seven days with Gros Morne Adventures on their Fall Colours hiking tour. It included hikes every day in Gros Morne and Corner Brook, sightseeing, restaurants, hotels, and transportation. I also did a guided day hike in Corner Brook with Everoutdoor Adventures.

On past trips, I’ve also done guided hikes with Wild Gros Morne, which offers hiking tours and Tour Gros Morne, which offers hiking and cultural tours.

National Park Passes

You must purchase a Parks Canada pass to stop anywhere in Gros Morne National Park. You can buy one at the entrance kiosk in Wiltondale or at either of the two park visitor centres. Some businesses in the towns near the park also sell park passes.

You will need to display your park pass on the dash of your car whenever you are parked in the park.

Cell Phone Service

In some parts of Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland, cell service is spotty or non-existent. There is LTE service in the towns. However, you will often lose service as soon as you leave a town.

If you are going hiking, use a GPS app like AllTrails+ or Gaia GPS and download an offline map before you go. You will usually have no cell service on the trail.

I recommend putting your phone in airplane mode while hiking. That will preserve the battery. If you leave it on, it just keeps looking for signal, which drains the battery.

Indigenous Context in Western Newfoundland

The Indigenous context of Western Newfoundland is complicated due to hundreds of years of colonialism. While the Beothuk formerly lived all across Newfoundland, their numbers dwindled thanks to loss of access to traditional hunting and fishing grounds, disease, and violence from Europeans. They were declared extinct in 1829.

However, there are still thousands of Indigenous people living in Western and Central Newfoundland. They are members of the Qalipu First Nation, a Mi’kmaq band. In the 18th century, Mi’kmaq in modern-day Nova Scotia and PEI were pushed out of their traditional territory by British settlers since the Mi’kmaq were allied with the French. At that time, Western Newfoundland was sparsely populated, so the Mi’kmaq were able to continue many of their traditional practices here.

As European settlement accelerated in Western Newfoundland, wildlife populations declined, as did Mi’kmaq populations. However, the Mi’kmaq survived, often intermarrying with European settlers. Many families hid their Mi’kmaq heritage.

In the past few decades, there has been a resurgence in Indigenous pride and identity in Western Newfoundland, with many people actively seeking to reconnect with their Indigenous culture that had been lost for several generations. There are many Indigenous-owned tourism businesses in Western Newfoundland working to tell the stories of the Mi’kmaq and connect with their traditional territory.

Final Thoughts

It’s no secret that I love Newfoundland (look at how many Newfoundland posts I’ve written), and with this autumn visit, I feel so lucky to have experienced a side of the province that most visitors don’t get. The fall colours were gorgeous on this trip to Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland.

But what really has me smiling as I remember the trip is all the time I spent chatting with locals who had more time to spend with curious tourists like me.

If you have questions about planning a trip to Gros Morne and the Corner Brook area in fall, ask in the comments. I’d love to help.

READ NEXT:

• Things to Do in Gros Morne National Park
• Things to Do in Corner Brook, Newfoundland
• 16 Best Hikes in Newfoundland
• 20 Incredible Things to Do in Newfoundland

The post Fall in Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada’s youngest province, joining in 1949. It includes the island of Newfoundland and a section of the mainland called Labrador. Labrador is remote and sparsely populated (and I haven’t been there yet!), so this guide focuses on the island of Newfoundland, home to 94% of the province’s population.

Nicknamed “The Rock”, Newfoundland has gorgeously rugged scenery with a windswept and craggy coastline. It’s also a rural place with tons of whimsically named fishing villages full of brightly painted cottages clustered around small coves. History runs deep here – the province is home to North America’s oldest settlements.

Besides the beautiful scenery, one of the main reasons to visit Newfoundland is the unbelievably friendly people and the unique culture. Since it is is geographically remote, it has its own accent, dialect, food, and traditions.

Since it’s a big place (it takes 7 hours to drive across the island), it can be tough to know where to go. In this post, I’ve got 20 things to do in Newfoundland and lots of travel tips. It includes:

• A map of Newfoundland with every place I mention in this post marked
• Best things to do in Newfoundland: towns, national parks, wildlife, food and more
• Newfoundland travel tips: how to get there, getting around, when to go, what to pack, and more

Hey there: Thanks so much to Go Western Newfoundland for hosting me during the Gros Morne and Corner Brook parts of my second and third trips to Newfoundland. All other parts of my trips were at my own expense and my opinions are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Map of Newfoundland

To help you find your way around, I made this custom Google Map of Newfoundland for you. It includes every single place I mention in this post.

20 Incredible Things to Do in Newfoundland

Explore St. John’s

St. John’s is Newfoundland’s largest city and is also the provincial capital. With its colourful buildings, great food, and welcoming atmosphere, St. John’s is an easy place to love. On two of my trips to Newfoundland, I spent a few days in St. John’s because there was so much to do.

My guide to St. John’s has the full list of things you can’t miss, but here’s a quick run-down of the highlights:

• Jellybean Row: A cluster of downtown streets have rows of colourful houses that make a great photo op.
• The Rooms Museum: A huge museum and art gallery with great exhibits of Newfoundland’s history and culture. It has great views from the top floor.
• Signal Hill: A great viewpoint just outside of downtown that is also a Canadian National Historic Site. You can also hike here on the North Head Trail.
• Quidi Vidi: A quaint, old fishing village in a protected cove near downtown. Today it has a brewery and artist studios.

St. John’s is also a great base for day trips to Cape Spear, Dildo, and the Avalon Peninsula as well as iceberg, whale watching, and puffin tours. (More on all of those below.)

READ MY ST. JOHN’S GUIDE

Cape Spear

If you visit Cape Spear, you can say you’ve stood on the easternmost point in North America. But it is also worth visiting for the great views of the coast and the iconic lighthouse, which is the oldest one in Canada and is a National Historic Site.

The cape is just 20 minutes from St. John’s. The best way to get there is to drive yourself or to take a tour. The last time I was in St. John’s I visited Cape Spear as part of the City and Cape tour with McCarthy’s Party. It’s a great tour that hits the highlights in the city and then takes you out to Cape Spear.

Dildo

Yes, Newfoundland has a town named Dildo! If you want to visit, it’s a little over an hour outside of St. John’s. Honestly, it would be like any other small town in the province if it wasn’t for the name… but that name has brought the town lots of fame.

The town had been a popular tourist spot for years, thanks to various tongue-in-cheek articles. And in 2019, Jimmy Kimmel did several bits about Dildo on his late-night talk show. In the end, the town made him the honourary mayor and he paid to erect a huge Hollywood sign-style sign spelling out “Dildo” on a hill above town.

There isn’t much to see in Dildo, but it’s still fun to grab photos of the sign. You can also head to Dildo Brewing, which has craft beer and pub food. If you need cheeky souvenirs, both Dildo Brewing and Nan and Pop’s Dildo Souvenir Shop can help you out.

Avalon Peninsula

I have to admit that despite three trips to Newfoundland and over a month spent in the province… I haven’t really been anywhere on the Avalon Peninsula besides St. John’s, Cape Spear, Bay Bulls (for a puffin tour), and the Argentia ferry terminal.

And that’s entirely my fault. I’ve heard great things about the area, I just haven’t made time to visit. In fact, it’s one of the most popular tourist areas in the province since it’s an easy drive from St. John’s. Highlights include bird watching at Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, fossils at Mistaken Point, puffins, whales, and icebergs in Bay Bulls, roadtripping along the Irish Loop, and hiking the East Coast Trail.

Trinity

Trinity is the prettiest town in Newfoundland. It’s a tiny place, tucked into a protected harbour at the end of a narrow peninsula about 3 hours from St. John’s. Historically, it was one of the most important merchant fishing towns in the province. Today, the remaining buildings are protected as heritage sites and most of the town is geared towards tourists.

That gives Trinity a bit of Newfoundland-meets-Disney feel. That could be cheesy, but I think they’ve done a good job of respecting the heritage and making things feel authentic.

My guide to Trinity has lots of things to do as well as all the info you need to visit.

The main draw in Trinity is the town itself. I recommend giving yourself an hour or two to just wander around and gawk at all the adorable old houses.

The other big attraction is the Rising Tide Theatre, which stages several Newfoundland-themed plays each summer. They also offer a popular walking tour/theatre performance.

If you’re into the outdoors, Trinity also has good kayaking and hiking (don’t miss the Skerwink Trail one of the best hikes in Newfoundland) as well as boat tours to see whales and icebergs.

READ MY TRINITY GUIDE

Bonavista

Just up the road from Trinity is Bonavista, my favourite town in Newfoundland. While Trinity is picture-perfect and lovingly restored, Bonavista is equally old, but a bit rougher around the edges. I love the juxtaposition of falling-down buildings with newly refurbished ones. Bonavista is also a real working town with 3000 residents (compared to just 78 in Trinity).

Read my guide to Bonavista for more must-sees in the area as well as lots of travel tips.

The biggest draw is the Bonavista Lighthouse just north of town. The striped facade is on countless postcards, teatowels and even mailboxes all across the island.

You also should visit some of the historic sites in town. On my first visit, we toured the Ryan Premises, which is a National Historic Site. Its exhibits, housed in a 19th-century building, explain the history of fishing in Newfoundland. Other historic sites include the Matthew Legacy, a reproduction of John Cabot’s ship, and the Mockbeggar Plantation, a collection of historic buildings.

If you venture a few minutes outside of Bonavista, you can visit the unique cliffs and caves of Dungeon Provincial Park. Or drive a few minutes further to Elliston, the best place to see puffins from land.

READ MY BONAVISTA GUIDE

St. Pierre and Miquelon

Did you know you can go to France from Newfoundland? The tiny islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon sit just south of central Newfoundland. Founded by French fishermen, the islands are still part of France: the 5,800 residents speak French and use the Euro.

I’ve always wanted to visit the islands, but I haven’t made it yet. To get there you can fly from St. John’s or take a 90-minute ferry from the town of Fortune, which is a 4-hour drive from St. John’s.

Besides the novelty of visiting France, the islands offer cute towns, small museums, boat tours, and stunning nature.

Terra Nova National Park

Unless you’ve been to Newfoundland, you probably haven’t heard of Terra Nova National Park. Compared to stand-outs like Banff, the subdued beauty of Terra Nova just doesn’t get the same press. But it’s still a gorgeous park. It is about 3 hours from St. John’s just past the Bonavista Peninsula.

The park protects vast swaths of coastline, mudflats, and rolling hills. Most visitors will concentrate their time around the Visitor Centre, which has great exhibits about wildlife including touch tanks where you can get up close to sea life.

For great views, make the short drive from the highway to the Ochre Hill Fire Tower. There are several wooden platforms, but if you’re brave, scale the steps to the top of the tower. It was windy on my visit, which added to the thrill/terror.

If you like hiking, the park has over 80 km of trails. I enjoyed the Coastal Trail, which made my list of the best hikes in Newfoundland.

Twillingate

Twillingate is a tiny town in the centre of the province. It sits on a pair of rocky islands and since it’s on the windswept northern coast, it has a rugged and austere beauty that sets it apart from other charming towns like Trinity and Bonavista.

Part of its charm is its isolation. Twillingate stis on the north coast amongst a a cluster of other fishing villages. It’s 5 hours from St. John’s or 4.5 hours from Corner Brook, but I think it’s worth the journey.

Most of the area around Twillingate had no roads until the 1950s and 60s, which means that everything is oriented towards the sea and strung out along the waterline.

My guide to Twillingate has tips for visiting along with lots of things to do.

Twillingate bills itself as the iceberg capital of the world since it’s right in the path of the currents that bring them south from Greenland. It’s often possible to see icebergs from land, but there are several iceberg boat tours as well.

Like other cute towns in Newfoundland, one of the main things to do here is to wander around and admire the old buildings. The nearby Long Point Lighthouse is also worth a visit. And if you like, there are several small museums in the area.

But my favourite reason to spend time in Twillingate is the hiking. The trails range from short and simple to longer and more challenging, so there is something for everyone. The Rockcut Trails are gorgeous, especially the hike to French Head, which made my list of the best hikes in Newfoundland.

READ MY TWILLINGATE GUIDE

Fogo Island

I didn’t get to Fogo Island on my first trip, but after we visited it on our second trip to Newfoundland I was kicking myself for not going sooner. Fogo is so unique! The only way to get to this small island near Twillingate is by ferry.

Check out my Fogo Island guide to learn more about visiting and more must-sees on the island.

For decades after the collapse of the cod fishery, the island stagnated. But in the last decade or two, a revitalization project and social enterprise have transformed Fogo. Today it has a network of excellent hiking trails, nine picturesque towns to explore, and a thriving arts scene with artisans, galleries, and studios you can visit.

The backbone of the social enterprise project is the Fogo Island Inn, an ultra-luxury hotel catering to wealthy guests with high-end food and lots of included day tours. However, you don’t have to stay at the hotel to enjoy it – you can take a free tour to get a close-up look at the interesting architecture.

The hiking on Fogo is some of the best in the province. The barren landscape is gorgeous and allows for lots of views. The trail to the top of Brimstone Head made my list of the best hikes in Newfoundland.

READ MY FOGO ISLAND GUIDE

Corner Brook

I know Corner Brook doesn’t make some people’s lists of the best things to see in Newfoundland… but it should. Corner Brook is the second largest city in the province and by far the biggest city in the western part of the province.

While it is a regional hub for government and business, it also has a scrappy small outdoor town feel with incredible access to nature and an up-and-coming food scene with craft beer and good coffee.

My guide to Corner Brook has a full list of things to do and tips for visiting.

Corner Brook is a great place to base yourself for a day trip to the nearby Bay of Islands region which has incredible hiking and kayaking along with some really cute old fishing villages like Little Port. The entire region is part of the aspiring Cabox UNESCO Global Geopark to recognize its exceptional geology. The South Head Lighthouse Trail is on my list of the best hikes in Newfoundland.

READ MY CORNER BROOK GUIDE

Gros Morne National Park

Located in Western Newfoundland near Corner Brook, Gros Morne National Park is gorgeous – if you’re interested in hiking and the outdoors, it’s worth coming to Newfoundland just to visit this park. The park is fairly large, spreading across the coastline and over mountain ranges. It also includes a few charming small towns.

If you’re thinking of visiting, read my guide to Gros Morne National Park, which has lots of trip planning advice and more things to do.

There are a few key highlights in Gros Morne:

• Tablelands: Hike over rocks from Earth’s mantle exposed at the surface.
• Green Gardens: A hike to the coast through a forest so lush that it reminded me of Hawaii.
• Bonne Bay: A deep inlet cutting through the middle of the park, best appreciated from a boat tour.
• Western Brook Pond: A former fjord that is now a lake. Take a boat tour to appreciate the steep terrain rising up from the lake.

READ MY GROS MORNE GUIDE

L’Anse aux Meadows

Most people learn that the first European to visit the American was Christopher Columbus. However, in the 1960s, archaeologists discovered evidence of a 1000-year-old Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows near the northern tip of the island. That means the Vikings beat Columbus to North America by nearly 500 years!

Today, L’Anse aux Meadows is a Canadian National Historic site and UNESCO World Heritage site. I made the long drive up there (5.5 hours from Corner Brook) on my first visit to Newfoundland. The site protects the remains of the Norse buildings and also has reconstructed buildings and interpretive displays.

I spent a fun day wandering around and chatting with the costumed actors who reenact Viking life. It’s a fascinating place, and while it’s tough to get to, I thought it was worth it.

Road Tripping

On two of my visits to Newfoundland we drove across the island on an epic road trip. With lots of paved roads, tiny towns, and viewpoints, Newfoundland is an ideal road trip destination.

One of the most popular itineraries includes is an east-to-west (or vice versa) trip across the province between St. John’s and Gros Morne National Park.

If you want to take a shorter trip, you could drive around the East Coast hitting up St. John’s, the Avalon Peninsula, and the Bonavista Peninsula. Or stick to the West Coast by visiting Corner Brook, Gros Morne National Park, and L’Anse aux Meadows.

Whichever itinerary you choose, leave lots of time for unexpected stops. We found ourselves pulling over to take photos, explore villages, and stop at small cafes.

You can also visit out-of-the-way attractions, like the International Lounge at the Gander Airport, where it is still 1959 and the age of transatlantic air travel is brand new. (They also have exhibits about the flights that landed here on 9/11 and inspired the musical, Come From Away.)

Whale Watching

While I haven’t been whale watching in Newfoundland, I’ve heard great things. (I skipped whale watching on my trips since I live in BC and have been kayaking with whales.) Since Newfoundland is way out in the Atlantic, it’s right on lots of whale migration routes including the annual summer migration of humpback whales. You can also see other species of whales and dolphins.

Many boat tours combine whale watching with spotting icebergs and seabirds like puffins as well as touring the picturesque coastline. (More of puffins and icebergs below)

The most popular place to take a whale watching tour is Bay Bulls and Witless Bay about 30 minutes south of St. John’s. You can also book whale watching tours in Trinity and Twillingate.

Icebergs

One of the coolest things to do in Newfoundland is iceberg viewing. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun!) In spring and early summer, icebergs drift south from Greenland towards Newfoundland along a rough path called Iceberg Alley.

The best time to go iceberg spotting is May and June. We didn’t see any icebergs on my first trip to Newfoundland since we were there in August. But we planned our second visit for June in the hopes of seeing one.

Often you can see the icebergs from land (binoculars help), but nothing beats seeing them up close on a boat tour. The north coast of the province is the best place to see them but it’s also possible to see icebergs near St. John’s.

The icebergs aren’t predictable and move every day. In some years icebergs are plentiful, while in others (like the year I visited) there aren’t that many around. You can book iceberg tours in Bay Bulls near St. John’s or in Trinity, but for the best chance of seeing them, I recommend going to Twillingate or other small North Coast towns.

You can use Icebergfinder.ca to get the latest locations for icebergs you can see from land or via a tour. I found the Newfoundland and Labrador Iceberg Reports Facebook group super helpful on my trip. It was updated more often than Icebergfinder and it had up-to-date reviews on boat tours.

We went to Twillingate looking for icebergs but there weren’t any. So, we used the info from the Facebook group to find out that there was an iceberg in a bay near a tiny town called Brighton 3.5 hours away. We also got a recommendation for a local tour guide (Clarey of Badger Bay Boat Tours). We booked a B&B, then made the drive.

It was incredible to see the iceberg up close and we got to experience a part of Newfoundland that not many tourists see since it was so off the beaten path.

Puffins

Puffins are adorable so they get the most press, but you can also see tons of other bird species in Newfoundland. The best time to see puffins is the summer nesting season between mid-May and late September – they head down south and out to sea the rest of the year.

The first time I went to Newfoundland I wasn’t that into birding. We took a boat tour and saw the puffin colonies from the water. I got hooked on these clown-like birds with their wobbly walk that contrasts with their grace once they dive under the water. Since then I’ve seen puffins in Iceland and Haida Gwaii, BC. So of course, on my next trip to Newfoundland, we looked for puffins everywhere we could.

The most popular way to see puffins is to take a boat tour in Witless Bay and Bay Bulls which combines puffin spotting with whale watching. (They might also take you to see icebergs in the spring/early summer iceberg season.)

But you can also see puffins from land in a few places near Bonavista. As a bonus, it’s totally free and there’s a zero percent chance you’ll get seasick.

I think the best place to see puffins from land is at the Elliston Puffin Viewing site near Bonavista. We had puffins walking right up to us! You can also see puffins from land at the Bonavista Lighthouse and on the Klondike Trail (one of my picks for the best hikes in Newfoundland.

Hiking

The main reason I have been to Newfoundland three times is to go hiking – the province has incredible trails. While there are long and challenging trails, most routes are easy to moderate and take half a day or less. That makes them perfect for tourists since you can go for a beautiful hike but still have lots of time for sightseeing.

My list of the best hikes in Newfoundland includes my top 16 hikes across the province.

There are gorgeous trails all over the island – you can even hike up Signal Hill in the heart of St. John’s on the North Head Trail. But if you want to spend a lot of time hiking, I recommend you concentrate your stay around the hikes in Gros Morne and Twillingate, my two favourite hiking areas.

READ MY PICKS FOR THE BEST HIKES IN NEWFOUNDLAND

Get “Screeched In”

The Newfoundland tradition of getting “screeched in” is a quirky ceremony that welcomes visitors (known as Come From Aways). The ritual involves taking a shot of Newfoundland rum, called screech, kissing a codfish (which is usually frozen) and eating a cube of bologna (nicknamed Newfoundland Steak).

It’s a silly tradition that’s mostly for tourists, but it’s also lots of fun. The best place to get screeched in is at one of the bars on George Street in St. John’s. However, you can get screeched in at bars and tourist businesses across the province. If you take a multi-day bus tour in the province, it will almost always include getting screeched in.

Unique Newfoundland Food and Drink

Since Newfoundland is so isolated and has only been part of Canada since 1949, it has a distinct food culture. Like most coastal places dominated by the fishing industry, it has world-class seafood. But it also has some quirky Newfoundland food and drink that you have to try.

You can find Newfoundland-style cuisine on restaurant menus everywhere from small towns to the city. A trip to the grocery store is also an experience to see what Newfoundlanders actually eat.

Some restaurants I recommend across the province include:

• Chafe’s Landing in Petty Harbour near St. John’s for lobster rolls
• Mifflin’s Tea Room in Bonavista for fish n’ brewis or toutons
• Annie’s Harbour Restaurant in Twillingate for cod tongues
• Bangbelly Bistro on Fogo Island for modern takes on traditional Newfoundland food
• Boomstick Brewing in Corner Brook for craft beer
• The Salt Box in Bay of Islands for seafood, moose tacos, and more
• Seaside Restaurant in Trout River for fried fish
• Chanterelle’s in Norris Point for partridge berry cheesecake

Here’s a quick list of some uniquely-Newfoundland foods you have to try:

Appetizers and Sides:

• Cod tongues: Deep-fried cod tongues have a texture a bit like calamari with a cod flavour.
• Fries with dressing and gravy: Like Quebecois poutine but instead of cheese curds they put turkey stuffing (dressing) on top of the fries, then pour gravy over top.

Mains

• Fish and brewis: a mash of soaked salted cod and hard tack bread with fried pork fat on top
• Moose: Newfoundlands love to eat this invasive species and put the lean meat into burgers, pasta sauce, tacos, and more
• Jigg’s Dinner: a traditional Sunday meal of salt beef boiled with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots
• Flipper pie: A pot pie made with seal flipper meat. It has a VERY strong fishy taste that not everyone will like.
• Fish n’ Chips: This is not unique to Newfoundland but what is unique is how prevalent it is. I dare you to find a menu in the province that does NOT include fish n’ chips!
• Mary Brown’s Chicken: This fried chicken chain started in Newfoundland and now has hundreds of locations across Canada. It’s so pervasive in the province that you can find locations in some of the provinces’ small, remote towns.

Desserts

• Bakeapples: also known as cloudberries, they taste a bit like blackberries and are often made into jam or pies
• Partridge berries: A bit like cranberries, these are also often found in jams, pies, and baked goods
• Toutons: fried yeasted dough eaten with molasses, syrup or jam, usually for breakfast
• Purity candy: This 100-year-old Newfoundland company makes several types of old-school hard candy including Peppermint Nobs and their infamous Climax Mix
• Jam Jams: Packaged sponge cookies with a jam filling.
• Crush Pineapple: A sickly sweet soda, like Crush Orange but with pineapple flavour instead of orange.

Newfoundland Travel Tips

History of Newfoundland

Indigenous Beothuk and Mi’kmaq people have lived on the island of Newfoundland since time immemorial. In 1497 when John Cabot landed at Bonavista, he “claimed” it for England. In the next few centuries, Basque, Portuguese, and French fishermen frequented the waters and set up small fishing settlements.

Newfoundland became an English colony in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht and English settlement begun in earnest. By the 1930s, Newfoundland’s economy was in trouble. In 1949, Newfoundlanders voted to join Canada as the 10th province.

Historically, cod fishing was the backbone of the province’s economy. However, the cod fishery collapsed in 1992, leading to widespread poverty. Today fishing for other species dominates the economy along with oil and gas, mining, and of course, tourism.

Since Newfoundland is geographically isolated, it has a unique culture that blends aspects of England, Ireland, and Canada. Newfoundlanders also have a distinct accent that sounds a bit Irish, and a distinct vocabulary, sometimes called Newfoundland English or Newfinese.

How to Get to Newfoundland

Since it is an island, the only way to get to Newfoundland is to fly or take a ferry.

The main airports are in St. John’s and Deer Lake near Corner Brook. You can get direct flights from major Canadian cities like Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton.

It’s also possible to get to Newfoundland by ferry. This option makes the most sense if you driving your own car or RV. There are two ferry terminals: Argentia in the east is 1.5 hours from St. John’s. Port aux Basques in the west is 2.5 hours from Corner Brook. Both ferries leave from North Sydney in Nova Scotia.

Travel times by ferry are long: it’s six to eight hours to Port aux Basques and 15 hours to Argentia.

Getting Around Newfoundland

Newfoundland is big so you can expect long travel times between locations. For example, if you drive across the province from St. John’s to Corner Brook, it takes about 7 hours without stops.

Unless you are sticking around St. John’s or taking a multi-day tour, the only real way to see the province is to rent a car since the only long-distance bus service misses most tourist spots. You can rent a car at the airport in St. John’s or Corner Brook. Heads up: rental cars in Newfoundland are expensive and they book up in summer!

Driving in Newfoundland is fairly straightforward since there aren’t that many roads. The Trans Canada Highway that runs across the island is wide and well-maintained, which makes for easy travel. However, I can’t say the same about many of the smaller highways. Expect twists and turns and lots of potholes. You will often need to travel well under the speed limit.

The weather is very changeable so be prepared to drive in heavy rain or thick fog. You will also want to avoid driving at night since there are more moose than people on the island and collisions with moose are one of the main causes of serious car crashes.

How Long to Spend in Newfoundland

Each time I’ve gone to Newfoundland I’ve spent about 10 to 14 days there. It’s enough time to road trip across the island as well as spend a few days in St. John’s and Gros Morne. However, it’s not enough time to see everything. If you really want to see all of Newfoundland’s attractions, it would take at least 3 to 4 weeks.

I think most visitors will be happy with a trip that lasts 10 to 14 days and takes in some of the major sites around Newfoundland. However, you could also do 5 to 7 days in either the St. John’s/Avalon Peninsula area or the Corner Brook/Gros Morne National Park area.

Since it’s not easy to get to Newfoundland, I don’t think it’s worth visiting if your trip is less than 4 or 5 days.

Best Time to Go to Newfoundland

Newfoundland’s tourist industry is heavily geared towards summer travel. That means between mid-June and mid-September. If you visit outside of those times you’ll be faced with wet weather and closed attractions.

If you’re looking for a different experience than most tourists get, consider visiting in fall. It has perfect hiking weather and less crowds. My guide to fall in Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland has all the info you need to plan a trip.

Weather in Newfoundland

Newfoundland is in the middle of the cold North Atlantic Ocean so even in summer, it’s not that warm. The average summer temperature is 16°C (61°F) but on warm days you can expect temperatures up to 25°C (77°F). Keep in mind that June is spring and September is fall so it will be a bit colder in those months.

The weather is also quite unpredictable. Rain, wind, and fog are common, but you can still get lots of sunny days. Plan your itinerary with some flexibility so that you can do indoor things like museums or galleries on the worst weather days.

Be sure to pack a waterproof jacket and waterproof hiking shoes. You’ll also want a warm mid-layer like a fleece or a lightweight puffy jacket. A warm hat and gloves are also nice.

Newfoundland Time Zone

One of the quirks of Newfoundland is that it has its own time zone: Newfoundland Time (NT). And even quirkier, that time zone is 30 minutes off from the next time zone over. So if it’s noon in New York (Eastern Time), it’s 1 pm in Halifax (Atlantic Time) and 1:30 pm in St. John’s (Newfoundland Time).

Cell Phone Service in Newfoundland

While you’ll find reliable 5G cell phone service in the cities and major towns, parts of Newfoundland don’t have great cell phone service. You will get at LTE in most towns, but smaller villages will have patchy service or no service at all. As well, some highways have no service or poor service.

Make sure you download offline maps when you have service and look things up in advance. The upside is that there are road signs most places so you won’t get lost. And the locals are super friendly so can always just pull over and ask someone for directions. The only danger is that they’ll talk your ear off for 15 minutes before you can get back on the road!

Where to Stay in Newfoundland

Outside of St. John’s you won’t find chain hotels. Instead you’ll find small, locally-owned inns and guesthouses. You can book some of them on major platforms like Booking.com or VRBO, but for others you’ll have to book through their website directly.

A few places that I recommend are:

• Russelltown Inn in Bonavista: rooms in gorgeously restored heritage homes.
• Hew and Draw Hotel in Corner Brook: a gorgeous modern hotel with so many local touches
• Bonne Bay Inn in Gros Morne: A motel-style inn with incredible views of Bonne Bay and Gros Morne Mountain
• Sugar Hill Inn in Gros Mornet: A quaint inn with a huge front porch and an incredible in-house restaurant (Chanterelle’s.)

Restaurants and Grocery Stores in Newfoundland

While larger towns have lots of restaurants and groceries, if you’re heading to some of the smaller villages, options become a lot more limited. Some small villages may not have a restaurant or grocery store, or if they do, it will have limited hours or a limited menu.

If you follow any special diets (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.) you may want to buy your groceries in a larger town and book places with a kitchen. And even if you aren’t on a special diet, it’s worth keeping enough snacks to put together a makeshift meal in case you get caught in a place where food isn’t available.

It’s also worth mentioning that the food in small villages is often very processed and/or fried and grocery stores very rarely have fresh vegetables. Expect lots of fried food and potatoes on all menus. But simple things like pasta, sandwich fixings, etc. are readily available.

Cash and Credit Cards in Newfoundland

You’ll need both cash and credit cards in Newfoundland. Most places accept both, but there are a few that only take one or the other.

Historically, businesses in small or remote places didn’t take credit cards and wanted you to pay with cash. However, now that cell service is more widespread, now some places don’t take cash since it takes so long to get to the bank to deposit it. In particular, many businesses on Fogo Island don’t take cash.

So bring both cash and credit cards. And of course, this is Canada, so you’ll need Canadian money. Some places will accept American cash, but they take it at par, which is usually a terrible deal on the exchange rate for Americans.

Final Thoughts

In some ways, Newfoundland reminds me a bit of Iceland: incredible scenery, friendly people, and a great place for a road trip. Honestly, I’m surprised that it isn’t as popular as Iceland since they have similar vibes. However, Newfoundland has a fraction of the crowds.

If you want to visit a part of Canada that looks and feels nothing like the rest of the country, go to Newfoundland. The geography and culture as so different. From the adorable towns to the wildlife sightings to the hiking, there’s just something about this place that draws me in.

And after three trips to Newfoundland, I still haven’t seen everything. Next time I go, the Avalon Peninsula and St. Pierre and Miquelon are definitely on my list of things to do. I’d also like to hike more of the East Coast Trail and explore the Bay St. George area on the southwestern part of the island.

If you want help planning your trip to Newfoundland, I’m happy to answer your questions. Ask them in the comments or book a trip planning call with me.

READ NEXT:

• 18 Best Things to Do in St. John’s
• 12 Things To Do in Trinity
• 10 Things To Do in Bonavista
• 10 Things To Do in Twillingate
• Things to do on Fogo Island
• Things to Do in Corner Brook
• Things to Do in Gros Morne National Park
• 16 Best Hikes in Newfoundland

The post 20 Incredible Things to Do in Newfoundland appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve hiked all over the province. While I haven’t been everywhere in Newfoundland (yet!), I have been to most places. And on my most recent two trips, I hiked every day, sometimes on two or three different trails a day! (Honesty check: I didn’t hike a few of the days I was attending a conference in St. John’s, but that was out of my control.)

Most of the hikes in this post are easy or moderate, but there are a few tough options, especially in Western Newfoundland. I’ve also got tips for hiking in Newfoundland at the end of the post. This list of the best hikes in Newfoundland includes:

• Quick picks: My top 5 best hikes in Newfoundland
• Newfoundland hiking map that shows the location of every trailhead
• Hikes on the Avalon Peninsula near St. John’s
• Hikes in Eastern Newfoundland near Bonavista and Trinity
• Hikes in Central Newfoundland in Terra Nova National Park and near Twillingate
• Hikes in Western Newfoundland in Gros Morne National Park and near Corner Brook
• Newfoundland hiking tips including fees, weather, gear, and more

Planning a trip to Newfoundland? I’ve got a big list of the best things to do Newfoundland plus lots of travel tips for the province.

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Thanks so much to Go Western Newfoundland for hosting me during part of my trip to Newfoundland. All opinions in this post are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Best Hikes in Newfoundland Quick Picks

Best Easy Hike: French Head, Twillingate

Best Moderate Hike: Green Gardens, Gros Morne National Park

Best Challenging Hike: Tablelands, Gros Morne National Park

Best Hike Close to St. John’s: North Head (Signal Hill)

Best Hike Close to Corner Brook: South Head Lighthouse

Newfoundland Hiking Map

Most of the hikes on this list are easy to follow. But sometimes the trailheads can be hard to find or there are lots of confusing unmarked trails that can lead you astray. As well, cell service can be spotty. I recommend using a hiking app like AllTrails+ to stay on track.

I also made a custom Google Map for you that shows you the locations of the trailheads for all of my picks for the best hikes in Newfoundland. But DON’T use Google Maps once you are on the trails. There is often no cell service and Google doesn’t show the trails correctly (or at all in some cases).

Best Hikes on the Avalon Peninsula

North Head Trail (Signal Hill), St. John’s

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 1 to 1.5 hours

Distance: 3.5 km loop

Elevation Gain: 160 m

You can hike to the top of Signal Hill right from downtown St. John’s. It’s one of the best urban hikes I’ve ever done and is on my list of the best things to do in St. John’s. I actually started my hike right from the front door of my hotel – I dipped out for a sneaky hike between sessions at a conference!

The loop is 3.5 km long, but if you hike from downtown, that adds another 1 to 2 km. You can start the loop hike from Battery Road, from the Signal Hill Visitor Centre part way up, or from the top of the hill. I went counter-clockwise, but either direction is fine.

Since I started from downtown, I walked through the colourful cliffside houses in The Battery neighbourhood first. (It’s pronounced batt-ree in Newfinese, not batt-er-ee.) The trail begins at the end of North Battery Road and curls around North Head. There is one narrow section with a chain, but it’s not really needed.

From there, you’ll arrive at a set of Parks Canada red chairs, since this is a National Historic Site. Enjoy the view and take a rest before beginning the big climb up lots of stairs to the top of Signal Hill. The view of downtown St. John’s from the top is incredible.

There are a few ways to descend. I followed the Queen’s Battery Trail downhill, then took an informal trail towards Deadman’s Pond. I used an informal trail back down to Battery Road to close the loop.

If you’re walking back to downtown St. John’s, stop at The Battery Cafe on your way back. Their iced coffee really hit the spot at the end of my hike!

Bay Bulls Lighthouse/Spout Path, Bay Bulls

Difficulty: Moderate or Challenging

Time Needed: 3 or 8 to 10 hours

Distance: 7.2 or 22 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 320 or 1040 m

While I have hiked the West Coast Trail and North Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, I haven’t hiked Newfoundland’s iconic East Coast Trail yet. It follows the rugged Atlantic Coast for 270 km on the Avalon Peninsula. (The North Head Trail, above, is actually part of the ECT!)

If you’re looking to get a taste of the ECT on a day hike, try the Spout Path in Bay Bulls. My friend Gemma hiked this section as part of her multi-day trip along the East Coast Trail.

She hiked the Spouth Path from end to end (16.2 km total), but she says “most day hikers start at the Bay Bulls trailhead and turn around at the Spout (11km one way). It makes for a long but rewarding day for experienced hikers.” The Spout is the highlight of the trip. It’s an impressive wave and river-powered geyser.

If you don’t have time to go all the way to the Spout, Gemma recommends stopping at Bay Bulls Lighthouse about 3.6 km from the trailhead. “The exposed trail offers sweeping views of the ocean and intricate coves,” Gemma explains. She also says that people often see whales!

If you are in Bay Bulls, don’t miss taking a puffin and whale watch trip. I did this tour on my first trip to Newfoundland and it was so fun. You’ll cruise through the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. For me, the highlight was spotting puffins and lots of other seabirds. But whales are also common, and sometimes you can see icebergs too!

Mistaken Point, Portugal Cove South

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 4 hours

Distance: 6 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 65 m

Mistaken Point UNESCO World Heritage Site is a special place. Located at the southern end of the Avalon Peninsula, it protects a huge collection of ancient marine fossils, preserved in the prehistoric ocean floor for over 565 million years.

Since the fossils are so important, the only way to see them is on a guided hike, which is fairly easy but lasts for four hours since you make so many stops to look at fossils. I haven’t made it out to Mistaken Point yet, but my friend Stephanie who runs The World as I See It just came back from a visit.

“I highly recommend booking the guided hike,” Stephanie says. “The knowledgeable guide shared interesting details about this unique environment as we hiked along the scenic coastline. At Mistaken Point we took our shoes off to walk out on the rocks that hold the fossils which made this hike a truly unique experience.” Sounds super cool! I can’t wait to see the fossils on my next trip to Newfoundland.

Chance Cove Coastal Trail, Chance Cove

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 1.5 to 2 hours

Distance: 4 km loop

Elevation Gain: 150 m

This gorgeous coastal trail is located on the edge of the Avalon Peninsula and has incredible views of some sea stacks and islets. It starts in the small community of Chance Cove and immediately heads up a big hill into the forest. The path can be muddy, so wear waterproof boots.

About 15 minutes from the start, the path heads back down to sea level to a viewpoint on the edge of Chance Cove Point. Next the trail forks. Take the left path which follows the coast out to a headland. There are several cliffside viewpoints along the way.

Once you round the headland, a stairway leads down to a small beach. Back on the main trail, you can follow two spur trails to more viewpoints atop Green Head. Just past the spur trails a steep trail with a rope leads down to another beach if you are up for a challenging scramble. After the rope, the trail goes inland and up and over a small hill to rejoin the main trail. Turn left and follow the trail back to the start.

Best Hikes in Eastern Newfoundland

Skerwink Trail, Port Rexton

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 1.5 to 2 hours

Distance: 5 km loop

Elevation Gain: 150 m

Several online sources call the Skerwink Trail the best hike in Newfoundland. The day I hiked it was foggy with sideways rain, so I can’t say I agree. But despite the weather, it was pretty spectacular. The trail starts in Port Rexton near Trinity and makes a loop around Skerwink Head.

In places, the trail sticks close to the cliff edge with lots of views of the coastline and Trinity Harbour. But in other places it heads inland through thick forest and bog, using boardwalks and stairs to carry you over the more challenging terrain. The two ends of the loop are on old gravel roads, which make for easier walking than the rest of the trail.

After your hike, get beers at Port Rexton Brewing. Or grab coffee and a sandwich at Two Whales Coffee Shop. I was happy for their delicious veggie soup to warm me up after our soggy Skerwink experience. If you want to support the organization that maintains the trail, you can buy Hike Discovery merch and trail maps online or at local shops.

The Chimney/Klondike Trail, Bonavista

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 45 min to 2 hours

Distance: 2 to 6.5 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: Up to 100 m

Maintained by Hike Discovery, this trail near Bonavista is actually an old horse and cart route between the communities of Spillar’s Cove and Elliston. You can walk the entire route through the forest and wetlands between the two towns. But if you’re short on time, I think the section from Spillar’s Cove to The Chimney is the best part. We hiked it on a foggy day and it was still gorgeous.

It’s an easy walk on an old gravel road out to the coast. From there, you’ll have a great view of The Chimney, an incredible sea stack off to the left. You can follow faint paths off to the left to get closer to the sea stack, but the view doesn’t get any better.

There is also a small islet in the centre of the cove with a puffin colony! The views of puffins aren’t quite as good as at the nearby Elliston Puffin Viewing site, but it’s still pretty awesome to watch them hopping and flapping about.

After your hike, head to Ragged Rocks Gastropub in Bonavista. I had the best seafood chowder of my life there. Such huge scallops! It’s on my list of the best things to do in Bonavista.

Best Hikes in Central Newfoundland

Coastal Trail, Terra Nova National Park

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 3 to 4 hours

Distance: 9.5 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 80 m

This trail leads along the shoreline of Newman Sound in Terra Nova National Park. There are trailheads at the visitor centre and at the day-use area in the Newman Sound Campground so you can start at either end. We were staying at the campground so we started from that end.

The trail parallels the coastline, periodically dipping down to small beaches or viewpoints between the trees. It’s a great place to watch for birds in the mud flats or eagles overhead. You might even see moose along the trail… although might only spot their tracks and poop. About halfway along a side trail leads to Pissamere Falls.

Don’t miss the displays at the Visitor Centre either before or after your hike. They have great displays about the flora and fauna of the park, including touch tanks where you can interact with marine life. But my favourite part was the huge bale of sticks that was a great visual representation of how many twigs moose eat every day – about 40 to 60 pounds worth!

Nanny’s Hole, Twillingate

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Time Needed: 1 to 1.5 hours

Distance: 2.5 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 100 m

This short trail starts at the Long Point Lighthouse near Twillingate. From the viewing platform near the parking lot, you can look down to a rugged and rocky peninsula sticking out into the ocean. If you look carefully, you’ll see tiny hikers walking along an undulating trail – that’s the Nanny’s Hole Trail.

To start the hike, follow the path downhill from the parking area. There are a couple great viewpoints from the top of the bluff, but soon you begin descending on sets of wooden stairs. At the bottom, follow the trail across the grassy meadow to the coast. Then, turn right and hike along the path out to Nanny’s Hole. The trail ends at a great viewpoint on the edge of the headland.

When you are done, retrace your steps back up the stairs to the parking lot. If you hike here, consider donating to the Rockcut Twillingate Trails, which maintains the paths in this area.

After our hike, we went for dinner at Annie’s in Twillingate. They have a great view of the harbour and lots of great seafood on the menu. Try the cod tongues as an appetizer. They are a bit chewy, kind of like calamari, but really tasty.

French Head (Rock Cut Trails), Twillingate

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 1 hour

Distance: 2.5 km loop

Elevation Gain: 100 m

In the last few years, the town of Twillingate has created an incredible trail system on the east side of Twillingate Island called the Rockcut Trails. Please donate to support their work if you are able. I only had time to hike a short part of the network so I chose the quick, but beautiful French Head section.

From the trailhead, you walk a short distance to French Beach, which is so beautiful. From there, the trail loops up and over several small hills out to the end of French Head and then back to the beach.

The views of the coastline are incredible: To the east, you can see Spillers Point with Fogo Island in the far distance. To the west, you can see Carter Head, Burnt Island, and Twillingate Lighthouse, which you can visit at the start of the Nanny’s Hole hike (above). We actually did both Nanny’s Hole and French Beach on the same day since they were both short and easy.

The Rockcut Trails actually include a few backcountry campgrounds, so that’s on my list for my next visit. But if you’re looking for drive-in camping, I recommend Dildo Run Provincial Park. It’s an easy 20-minute drive from Twillingate, has oceanfront campsites and showers… and a hilarious name.

Brimstone Head, Fogo Island

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Distance: 2 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 90 m

Fogo Island was one of my favourite places in Newfoundland. The stark landscapes were otherworldly. Thanks to investment from a local girl turned tech millionaire, Fogo Island has a unique social enterprise and arts community. For hikers, one of the benefits is the great hiking trails all over the island.

Brimstone Head provides the best effort-to-reward ratio of all of Fogo’s hikes. It’s a short but steep climb with the help of stairs to the top of Brimstone Head. There is a great view from the top of the town of Fogo.

Brimstone Head is also considered to be one of the four corners of the Earth by the Canadian Flat Earth Society, so don’t fall off since you’ll never be seen again! On the way down, be sure to take the detour onto the “scenic route” to loop around to a viewpoint overlooking Back Cove and the Brimstone Head RV Park. We spent the night in our tent here and were treated to an incredible sunset.

There are lots of other great short hikes on Fogo, and I honestly had trouble picking just one to include in this guide. I also recommend the Joe Batts Arm Trail and Shoal Bay Trails. They both have an artsy surprise!

Best Hikes in Western Newfoundland

Green Gardens, Gros Morne National Park

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 3.5 to 4.5 hours

Distance: 9 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 350 m

Green Gardens is one of the best hikes in Gros Morne National Park in western Newfoundland. It starts in the open barrens of the Tablelands before descending through the trees to the coastline. As the trail works its way downhill the vegetation changes and becomes more and more lush thanks to the fertile volcanic soil – a real contrast to the desolate rocks of the Tablelands.

The trail ends at a backcountry campground a bluff above Old Man’s Cove. The tops of the cliff have dense meadows of grasses and wildflowers. You can follow a rough staircase downhill to the beach. The normally frigid Atlantic is tempered by a warm current here, so you might even want to swim. (Sticking my feet in was enough for me.)

You can also continue down the beach to a waterfall tucked into a small canyon. Save your energy for the hike back to the trailhead – it’s all uphill.

After your hike, be sure to make the short drive to the village of Trout River to have a delicious cod dinner at the Seaside Restaurant, which has been in the same family since 1981. Time your visit for sunset – it’s spectacular.

Tablelands, Gros Morne National Park

Difficulty: Easy or Challenging

Time Needed: 1 or 5 hours

Distance: 4 or 7.5 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 90 to 530 m

The Tablelands are one of the most interesting parts of Gros Morne National Park. The barren moonscape rocks here is actually part of the Earth’s mantle – the middle layer of the planet below the crust.

There are two ways to do this hike. The first is the easy Tablelands Trail. It’s a gentle 4 km hike on an old road bed that skirts around the base of the mountain. It has great views of the Tablelands and ends at glacier-carved Winter House Brook Canyon.

The other option, (and the one that I did) is an off-trail hike to the top of the Tablelands. This hike follows the main trail for the first 0.7 km then veers uphill and off trail to a viewpoint overlooking Winter House Brook Canyon.

There is no trail or established route so you need to be comfortable with route finding, loose rock, and steep slopes. You can pick your own path, but the rough track on Gaia GPS or AllTrails+ is a good starting point. (You don’t have to do the full loop on there – just go to the top of the canyon, and head back down.)

I did this hike with guides from Wild Gros Morne and they were great at explaining the unique geology. They also pointed out some really cool plants, including carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews. Before the hike, they took us out on a Zodiac tour in Bonne Bay so we could see the Tablelands from the water. Oh, and the best part: the packed lunch included the most delicious lobster roll sandwich I’ve ever had!

Gros Morne Mountain, Gros Morne National Park

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Time Needed: 7 to 9 hours

Distance: 17 km loop

Elevation Gain: 868 m

When I hiked to the summit of Gros Morne Mountain on my first trip to Newfoundland I thought it was the tallest mountain in Newfoundland. But on a more recent trip, I learned that it is actually the second tallest mountain! Gros Morne tops out at 806 m, but The Cabox a few kilometres away is 812 m tall. I’ll have to do that one next time!

Despite being number two, Gros Morne Mountain is a great hike, albeit a long and challenging one. The first half of the trail is a steady climb through the forest to the base of the peak. From there, you head up a steep and rocky gully full of boulders to the summit. The summit has a strangely flat and rocky summit. But it has incredible views of 10 Mile Pond and the ocean. I actually spotted caribou from the top too!

To descend, you follow stairs down the backside of the mountain and then loop back around, passing the backcountry campsite at Ferry Gulch, which is the end of the Long Range Traverse.

There is a seasonal closure each May and June to protect wildlife and prevent erosion. As well, it’s not a great place for dogs due to the fragile ecosystem, the likelihood of stressing wildlife, and the rocky terrain that can cut dog’s paws.

Long Range Traverse, Gros Morne National Park

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Time Needed: 3 to 5 days

Distance: ~35 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1270 m

The first time I went to Newfoundland we planned our trip specifically to hike the Long Range Traverse. It’s a spectacular multi-day backpacking trip through the Long Range Mountains in Gros Morne National Park.

There is no official trail – instead, you have to use a map and compass or GPS to navigate. The route starts with the tourist boat across Western Brook Pond. From there, you bash your way through a thickly vegetated valley and up a steep glaciated headwall. The next few days see you finding your own route through bogs, around lakes, and across tundra. The traverse ends on the Gros Morne Mountain Trail, which makes a logical add-on to the trip.

My Long Range Traverse trip was spectacular. We had days of gorgeous sun and thick fog. We saw moose, caribou, and a bear. I stepped into a mud puddle that was up over my knees. And I came away with so many fond memories.

I didn’t have time to do the Long Traverse on my most recent trip to Newfoundland, but I know if I go back it will be at the top of my to-do list since it is the most epic backpacking trip in Newfoundland.

Bottle Cove/South Head Lighthouse Trail, Lark Harbour

Difficulty: Easy or Challenging

Time Needed: 30 minutes or 4 to 5 hours

Distance: 1 km or 8 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 30 m or 500m

The Bay of Islands region outside of Corner Brook was an area I hadn’t heard about until my most recent trip to Newfoundland. It’s a gorgeous area with little fishing towns in sheltered coves, windswept headlands, and big views. The trails starting at Bottle Cove were some of my favourites in Western Newfoundland.

From the trailhead, you can hike the short and easy trail to the lookout above Bottle Cove. It has a great view of the rocky headland and sea cave across the cove.

But I suggest continuing onward (and upward) on the steep South Head Lighthouse Trail. At the top, there are incredible views of the islands at the mouth of the Bay of Islands. You can also look down at the location of the former South Head Lighthouse, which must have been a very inhospitable place to live so exposed to the weather.

Keep in mind that this trail is in the Blow Me Down Mountains, and they live up to their name. I was nearly blown off my feet on the top!

Volunteers from Outer Bay of Islands Enhancement Committee have built and maintained several trails in the area including the Bottle Cove and South Head Lighthouse Trails. Please consider making a donation if you hike here.

Be sure to stop at the Saltbox Restaurant in Benoit’s Cove for great seafood on their waterfront patio. The restaurant is the home of Everoutdoor Adventures, a hiking and guiding company, as well as an interpretive centre for the Cabox Aspiring Geopark, a proposed UNESCO Geopark. They have lots of great maps and info boards about the local geology and history.

Man in the Mountain (Humber Valley Trail), Corner Brook

Difficulty: Challenging

Time Needed: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Distance: 5 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 360 m

If you’re driving Highway 1 just east of Corner Brook, look up and see if you can spot the face in the rocks, known as Man in the Mountain. If you’re a hardy hiker, you can also hike to the top of the man’s face for a great view of Corner Brook and the Humber Valley.

The Man in the Mountain viewpoint is actually part of the 14.5 km-long Humber Valley Trail, which itself is part of the International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland and Labrador. So you can just do the short hike up to the Man in the Mountain viewpoint… or you can continue for days.

I did a short loop using the steep Bear Head Trail and part of the Humber Valley Trail to visit Arne’s Lookout with Glen from Everoutdoor Adventures. You can also continue to the top of Man in the Mountain (a face in the rocks you can see from the Highway below).

Newfoundland Hiking Tips

National Park Entry Fees

You need to pay park entry fees to hike in Terra Nova and Gros Morne National Parks. All other hikes in Newfoundland are free. Here’s the fee breakdown for the National Parks:

Terra Nova National Park: $6.50/adult/day

Gros Morne National Park: $11/adult day

Parks Canada Discovery Pass: $75.25/adult or $151.25 for a group of up to 7 people in the same car. Valid for one year. This is the best deal if you plan to spend more than a few days in the parks.

Weather in Newfoundland

Newfoundland has a temperate marine climate which means it is never too hot but is often wet and chilly. The best time of year to hike in Newfoundland is between mid-June and early October when the weather is warmest and there is less rain. The snow in the mountains will all be melted by then too.

I think the best time to hike is in the fall. I spent 10 days hiking in Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland in fall. I was treated to mostly sunny weather and gorgeous fall colours.

Wet weather is a reality in Newfoundland. Read my tips for hiking in the rain to get ready.

Watch the forecast carefully when you are in Newfoundland. Even if it is calling for rain, it often will only rain for a few hours out of the day, leaving the rest of the day open for dry hiking!

Cell Phone Service in Newfoundland

Cell phone service can be spotty or non-existent in parts of Newfoundland. You’ll probably have at least some signal near towns, but away from towns, you often won’t have any service. Look up all the info you will need for your hike while you still have service. I like the use the Gaia GPS app or AllTrails+ to download offline maps of the trails before I go.

Also, keep in mind that without cell service you won’t be able to call for help in an emergency. We brought our Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite messenger as a just-in-case backup.

What to Bring Hiking in Newfoundland

Just like on any hike anywhere in the world, you need to be prepared. Don’t forget the 10 Essentials, a list of key items you should bring on every hike.

You’ll also want moisture-wicking and quick-drying synthetic hiking clothes. Skip the cotton – it doesn’t dry and will make you cold and uncomfortable.

Bring a good rain jacket. On this trip, I wore my MEC Flashcloud, but it is discontinued. I also love my Mountain Hardwear Minimizer because it is super light and compact but still breathable. For a budget option, I recommend the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket.

Make sure that your jacket has a fresh waterproof treatment to stop it from wetting out. (Read my guide to why rain jackets wet out for more info.)

On most hikes in Newfoundland I usually also pack my rain pants, just in case. I’ve gotten caught out in unexpected rain a few times and was glad I had them. I use the basic MEC Hydrofoil Stretch pants and they’ve held up well, including on my incredibly wet Skerwink Trail hike.

You’ll also want waterproof footwear because even if it isn’t raining, a lot of the trails have lots of mud and deep puddles. I wore my Salomon XA Pro Goretex Trail runners and they were great – lightweight, lots of traction, and waterproof.

If your backpack came with a rain cover, that’s great. But if not, you can buy one separately. I like the MEC silicone rain cover since it packs down so small. Or use a dry bag to protect gear inside your pack. I use Sea to Summit Lightweight dry bags.

It can also be chilly in Newfoundland so a fleece or synthetic insulated jacket is a great idea. Skip down jackets since they don’t provide any warmth when wet. I brought my Arc’teryx Proton insulated jacket and Outdoor Research Trail Mix Fleece and wore them both a lot.

Leave No Trace

Learn the Leave No Trace principles before you hike in Newfoundland. This is a sensitive ecosystem with a short growing season. Pack out all your trash. Use toilets at trailheads or villages before you hike. If you have to go on the trail, dig a cat hole or bring a WAG bag to pack our your poop.

Guided Hikes

If you’d rather have a local show you around, there are lots of guided hiking tour operators in Newfoundland. Going with a guide can be a great way to learn more about the local plants, animals, geology, and history. Guides can often show you off-the-beaten path hikes you wouldn’t otherwise have heard about – that’s how I heard about the South Head Lighthouse Trail.

In Western Newfoundland, I recommend Gros Morne Adventures, Tour Gros Morne, Wild Gros Morne, and EverOutdoor Adventures. I did a hike with each of these companies thanks to Go Western Newfoundland.

In Eastern Newfoundland, I’ve heard good things about Great Canadian Trails guided trips on the East Coast Trail. You can find more regional tour operators through Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism.

Give Back to Trailhead Communities

Many hikes in Newfoundland are located in small towns and villages that depend on tourism for their livelihood and have spent lots of money and time on building trails to attract tourists. Often hikers visit a community, hike a free trail, and then leave.

Where possible, be sure to give back to trailhead communities by shopping at local stores, eating at local restaurants, and staying at local hotels or campgrounds. You can also make donations to local trail maintenance groups.

Indigenous Context

Newfoundland is the traditional territory of the Beothuk and Mi’kma’ki. It is important to be respectful of this land.

Final Thoughts

So that’s my big list of the best hikes in Newfoundland. I’m already dreaming of going back to Newfoundland someday to hike more! Do you have questions about Newfoundland? Ask me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• 20 Incredible Things to Do in Newfoundland
• Things to Do in Gros Morne National Park
• 18 Best Things to Do in St. John’s, Newfoundland
• 12 Things To Do in Trinity, Newfoundland
• 10 Things To Do in Bonavista, Newfoundland
• 10 Things To Do in Twillingate, Newfoundland
• Things to do on Fogo Island, Newfoundland
• Things to Do in Corner Brook, Newfoundland
• The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike
• 40+ Tips for Hiking in the Rain
• Why Do Rain Jackets Wet Out?

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