An Instagram photo of Gros Morne National Park is what first caught our attention, but as we’ve come to learn, Gros Morne is just a smidgeon of what Newfoundland has to offer for hiking enthusiasts. Rugged, vast, larger-than-life landscapes await those who adventure here and we were lucky enough to spend 17 days exploring the island. This post covers the trails on Newfoundland’s western shores, including the Long Range Mountains, Outer Bay Islands and Gros Morne.
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Tips for hiking Newfoundland
- Make sure to read trail distances carefully – we learned the hard way that several trails listed distances as one-way and didn’t include the return. All trails listed in this guide are roundtrip.
- Watch for moose on the roads, and not just early morning or evening. Both times we saw moose were in the middle of the day.
- Always have something to cover your ears, even if it’s not windy at the start of your hike. The wind here is no joke and it will blow hats right off your head.
- Wear sturdy waterproof boots or shoes. Newfoundland’s terrain is rugged, rocky and often very muddy.
- Before booking your trip, check park sites for trail closures. Trails in Newfoundland regularly have closures or restrictions due to maintenance, wildlife activity or plant regeneration.
- Check current trail conditions during your trip. AllTrails was useful in leading us away from poorly maintained or flooded trails.
- Annual Early Bird passes for Gros Morne are available through June and are half cost.
- Bring gloves and trekking poles, several trails have steep sections with ropes.
We’ve personally hiked many of the trails on this list and you’ll find more photos and details of these on our Trails and Tales of Western Newfoundland. For trails that we didn’t hike, we’ve provided links to good sites that cover those trails. Everything you need to start making your Newfoundland hiking bucket list is here!
Special thanks to Paul Wylezol for helping with the IAT trails!
Best trails in southwest Newfoundland
Those seeking short easy hikes will find several excellent options in the southwestern region of Newfoundland. These trails offer a great way to stretch your legs on travel days. While we didn’t get to hike in this area, we did have time to drive around and explore the landscape. Several of these trails are beautifully described by Marjorie Turner Hollman on her blog.
Grand Bay West Beach Trail
3.7 mi (6 km)
This handicap accessible trail in Port aux Basques offers serene views of Newfoundland’s southwest coastline. The trail is a mixed boardwalk and gravel path, perfect for an easy stroll before or after the ferry.
Barachois Falls Trail
1 mi (1.6 km)
Barachois Falls is one of several short easy hikes in the Rose Blanche community which is only 40 minutes east of Port aux Basques. The waterfall, lighthouse, classic outport and scenic drive all make this one worthy of adding to your itinerary.
Harvey Trail
2.3 mi (3.7 km)
Located in Isle aux Morts, the Harvey Trail commemorates a family and their dog who saved hundreds of lives during a shipwreck in the 1800s. Finding the sign for this trail is easy (it’s near the Visitor’s Center) but finding a place to park, not so much. When in doubt, park near the cemetery.
Sandbanks Provincial Park Loop
3.1 mi (5 km)
Most tourists will never have time to visit this park in Burgeo, the captivating town that is much loved by locals. Sandbanks Provincial Park has one of the prettiest beaches in all of Newfoundland but it takes FOREVER to get here, which is why we only recommend it for those who have more than two weeks to spare and who love beach walks.
Starlite Trail
2.9 mi (4.7 km)
One of the most beautiful hikes in southwest Newfoundland, the Starlite Trail offers day hikers a chance to experience the Long Range Mountains and Codroy Valley without having to backpack. This is a strenuous trail, however, so come prepared with trekking poles and good boots.
Gravels Trail
3.4 mi (5.5 km)
The Gravels is a popular trail in the Bay of St. George area just west of Stephenville near Port au Port West-Aguathuna-Felix Cove (yes, it’s a mouthful). It’s an easy well-maintained trail offering wonderful views of the cliffs and sandbanks which connect the Port au Port Peninsula to the rest of Newfoundland.
La Marche de Miettes
4.8 mi (7.7 km)
La Marche de Miettes is at the tip of Port au Port Peninsula. This moderately challenging coastal trail showcases epic cliffs and gorgeous ocean views, definitely worth the drive if you’re fitting this area into your itinerary.
Best trails near Outer Bay of Islands
Blow Me Down Provincial Park is what gets attention here but the trails you want to hike are actually outside of the park and maintained by the Outer Bay of Islands Enhancement Committee (OBIEC), where you’ll find descriptions of the trails below. The OBIEC trails were our favorite overall in Newfoundland and they rival the Gros Morne trails for beauty and challenging terrain. Stay in Lark Harbour or York Harbour and stop at Saltbox and Everoutdoor Adventures on your way in – it’s where you’ll find info about the OBIEC trails. You can also book guided excursions or enjoy an excellent lobster roll at Saltbox.
Cedar Cove Trail
2.2 mi (3.6 km)
Cedar Cove Trail takes you through a dense cedar forest to a wide open meadow with cliffs on both sides that ends at a cove that feels hidden from the world. Combine this with Little Port Head for a long day of hiking. We LOVED this trail, despite how windy it was at the cove.
Little Port Head Trail
4 mi (6.6 km)
Little Port Head is rated extreme because it’s so steep but that shouldn’t scare you away from this trail if you can physically handle it. There are ropes to assist and you can always turn around if it looks too precarious.
Bottle Cove Trail
1.3 mi (.8 km) loop + more
One of our favorite trails in Newfoundland, Bottle Cove is a wandering of pathways that begin at a beach, continue along a boardwalk past a replica schooner, and continue up a rocky coast and through forests. There’s really no one way to walk this trail, just meander however long you wish, but we suggest connecting it with the Southhead Lighthouse Trail for a full day of coastal hiking.
Southhead Lighthouse Trail
4 mi (6.6 km)
Rated moderately difficult, you can reach Southhead Lighthouse Trail from Bottle Cove Trailhead or keep going a little further to the second trailhead and begin there. This is a beautiful hike, offering coast and mountains, and we would choose this one over Little Port Head if you have to choose.
Murray Mountain Trail
4.9 mi (8 km)
The trailhead for Murray Mountain is in Lark Harbour next to Town Hall. It’s one of the newer of the OBIEC trails and while locals know about it, it is still relatively unknown by most visitors. It’s rated difficult, uses ropes in steep sections and offers varied terrain with expansive views of the Outer Bay Islands. Good choice if you want challenging hikes in this region.
Cape Blow Me Down Trail
4.7 mi (7.6 km)
Not to be confused with Blow Me Down Park, the Cape Blow Me Down Trail is not in the park and therefore a free trail to hike. This one is located between York Harbour and Frenchman’s Cove, so it’s a good choice for your arrival or departure day in this area. It’s a difficult trail in terms of terrain and steep inclines but nothing that feels dangerous and the views at the very top are AMAZING! You get alpine terrain plus views of the islands, which is why we think it should be your first choice if you’re going to do a challenging hike near the Outer Bay Islands.
James Cook Heritage Trail
2.8 mi (4.5 km)
This trail is within Blow Me Down Provincial Park and the only reason we didn’t hike it is because we’re cheap. We just couldn’t justify the entrance fee for such a short trail when all the other trails nearby were free. Having said that, James Cook trail is a beautiful walk and great choice if you want short hikes with optimal vistas.
Best trails near Corner Brook
Humber Valley Trail to Man In The Mountain
3.1 mi (5 km)
This is a section of the Humber Valley Trail which is part of the International Appalachian Trail. Its close proximity to Corner Brook and views at the top make this a popular day hike.
Bear Head Trail
2 mi (3.2 km)
Bear Head Trail is a shorter (but steeper) alternative to the Humber Valley Trail that leads to Arne’s Lookout. It begins at the same trailhead as Humber Valley and offers more scenic views.
Corner Brook Stream Trail System
While we wouldn’t add these walks to your itinerary, these are a good choice for short walks if you’re staying in the town of Corner Brook. They offer a chance to explore the town along with forests and a really good view of the Corner Brook Gorge.
Best trails in Gros Morne National Park South
Gros Morne National Park is what brings most people to western Newfoundland and once you visit you’ll understand why. It offers diverse terrain found nowhere else on earth in a remote setting that’s easily accessible. Geologists, wildlife photographers, backcountry hikers, and road trip day hikers all flock here to see the beauty that is Gros Morne. We’ve divided the trails below into South and North, to make it easier for planning. You’ll find the full trail list here.
Where to stay for Gros Morne
We chose to stay near Woody Point because most of the longer trails we wanted to hike were south of Bonne Bay, but if you want to spend more than a day hiking the trails north of Bonne Bay then it makes sense to split your time between towns that are south and north of the bay. We prefer Norris Point and Woody Point because they feel more like fishing communities and less touristy, but any town near these two will give you a good base for hiking in Gros Morne.
Tablelands Trail
2.5 mi (4 km)
At least one hike in the Tablelands area is a must if you visit Newfoundland. This is the most popular trail as it offers the easiest way to see what makes these ancient rocks so famous. It’s flat and fully accessible. Take the Serpentine Loop on the way back to see the unique rock patterns for which this off-shoot is named.
Lookout Trail
3.6 mi (5.8 km)
The Lookout Trail begins at the Discovery Center, which is the perfect place to begin your Gros Morne hiking. The exhibits here will tell you everything you need to know about the geology and history of this region. The Lookout Trail is popular with hiking tours because it offers views of the Tablelands, Woody Point and Bonne Bay. You’ll work for those views as it’s a steep trail.
Green Gardens Trail
5.6 mi (9 km)
Green Gardens is a moderate trail that begins with the Tablelands rocky terrain then evolves into forest and dramatic coastline with sea stacks and lush meadows reminiscent of Ireland. Stairs will take you down to a secluded beach where you can add more miles to your walk.
Elephant Trail
8.5 mi (14 km)
Part of the International Appalachian Trail system, you won’t see this on the Gros Morne pamphlets but this trail begins near the Tablelands, just past Trout River Campground. Elephant Trail is an excellent compliment to Green Gardens as it offers interior views instead of coastal.
Lomond River and Stuckless Pond Trails
3.7 mi (6 km) Lomond River + 6 mi (9.5 km) Stuckless Loop
Lomond and Stuckless Pond begin at the same trailhead and you can choose to walk shorter versions of each (like we did) or hike each trail separately. Lomond River Trail was in poor condition when we visited in June 2023, flooded and overgrown, but it’s a pretty river hike if conditions have improved. Stuckless Pond is a long commitment but it can be easily shortened if you hike to the bridge and turn around. We rank these two trails lower on the list but definitely worth hiking if you have enough time, especially if you like river trails.
Trout River Pond
8.7 mi (14 km)
If Elephant is too challenging, an easier alternative is Trout River Pond. Rated moderate, this is a long trail that’s well-marked but often very muddy. It’s a long hike but offers a photo-worthy view at the end where you’ll see “the narrows” where ponds meet between mountains, giving a fjord-like impression. Christopher Mitchelmore has a good blog post about hiking this trail.
Best trails in Gros Morne National Park North
Gros Morne Summit
10 mi (16 km)
Gros Morne Mountain is a challenging trail that leads to the summit of the second tallest mountain in Newfoundland. Offering breathtaking views of the park, this trail is closed in May and June for preservation purposes so plan accordingly.
Coastal Trail
3.7 mi (6 km)
The Coastal Trail in Gros Morne packs the most diverse terrain into a flat, easy hike. It follows the ocean the entire time, offering marshy ponds, hidden forests beneath the tuckamore trees and mountains off in the distance. Every part of this trail is delightful.
Lobster Cove Head Trails
2 mi (1.2 km), depending which trails you walk
Most people stop at Lobster Cove Head to see the lighthouse but there are several little trails that meander around this site. It’s a really good place for families with small children as you can just wander around, exploring little forests and rocky coves.
Bakers Brook Falls
6.2 mi (10 km)
If you’re here in the Spring when the waterfalls are flowing, this long day hike offers a beautiful walk through the forest to a wide waterfall at the end.
Southeast Brook Falls
.5 mi (700 m)
This super short trail does require stair climbing but it’s an easy hike for two viewpoints of Southeast Brook Falls. It was fully flowing and a sight to behold when we hiked this trail.
Western Brook Pond Trail
1.8 mi (3 km)
This is the trail you walk to reach the Western Brook Pond boat tour, as well as the beginning of The Grand Traverse. It’s an easy walk to the dock, passing marshland, and we highly recommend taking the side trail from the dock that loops back to the trail. Don’t walk this trail on a foggy day if you can help it, otherwise you’ll lose the epic view at the end.
James W. Humber Trail
.7 mi (1.2 km)
Part of the Norris Point Heritage walking district, the Humber Trail is on the outskirts of town and begins with a great viewpoint of town from the Jenniex Heritage House. It then takes you through a forest till you reach the secluded Wild Cove where you can hunt for treasures and hopefully watch the fishermen.
Burnt Hill and Neddy Hill Loop
1.5 mi (2.4 km)
This loop trail in Norris Point is a fabulous short trail if you’re in the area. The views of town and across Bonne Bay are gorgeous, giving you glimpses of the Tablelands and Gros Morne Mountains for very little work.
Multi-day hikes in Newfoundland's backcountry
Long Range Traverse
22 mi (35 km)
The Long Range Traverse is much shorter than its name implies but it packs a lot of grandiose landscape into its route, covering some of the best views in Gros Morne. This wilderness trail takes 2 or 3 days to complete, requires a permit and guides are highly recommended since the trails are unmarked. A mandatory orientation session is offered daily so you’ll need to include at least one day for that prior to your hike. Out and Across has an excellent blog post about hiking this route.
International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland
445 mi (742 km)
The International Appalachian Trail in Newfoundland (IATNL) is still being developed and once complete it will connect Port aux Basques to Crow Head, essentially covering the Long Range Mountains from south to north. Most of the IATNL routes are across barren terrain on unmarked trails, meaning they are only appropriate for advanced hikers with backcountry navigation and wilderness experience. Or by hiking with one of the tour operators listed below.
Hiking tour operators covering West Newfoundland
While you don’t need a guide to hike most of the trails on this list, you will need a car. If you don’t want to rent a car (which is expensive in Newfoundland), then using a tour company is perfect! We also recommend hiring a guide for any of the multi-day hikes, as these are unmarked and easy to lose your way without someone knowledgeable of the terrain.
Everoutdoor Adventures
Everoutdoor Adventures covers the Blow Me Down Mountains in the Outer Bay Islands area. Book them for a day hike of guided adventures or let them create a multi-day guided trek through what we consider to be the true hidden gem of Newfoundland.
Gros Morne Adventures
Gros Morne Adventures offers guided multi-day hiking tours in Gros Morne National Park and the Long Range Traverse. Private hiking guides are also available.
Tour Gros Morne
Tour Gros Morne offers day and multi-day hiking trips in Gros Morne National Park but what sets them apart from the others are their itineraries that combine hiking with cultural and food experiences. Private hiking guides, custom itineraries and winter hiking are available.
Wild Gros Morne
Wild Gros Morne offers guided day hikes in Gros Morne National Park and support services for those who want center-based hiking in Gros Morne’s backcountry where you stay in a rustic mountain hut. Private hiking guides and winter hiking are also available.
Want more photos and personal stories? Read our Trails and Tales of Western Newfoundland.
