Click on photos for larger images. Sometimes you have to refresh the page to re-activate this feature. Hide Slide Show (you will have to refresh the page to see it again)

East Coast Trail, NL

Aug 28 - Sep 4, 2021 -- $1350 ★★★, YOU CANNOT REGISTER FOR THIS TRIP YET AS DETAILS ARE NOT FINAL

The East Coast Trail, is a little-known world class hiking trail that follows the coastline of Newfoundland & Labrador Canada, touching the Easternmost point in Newfoundland (and Canada AND North America). It's a hidden gem that features all-day view far above the Atlantic Ocean and has an amazing panoply of sea birds as well as moose, coyote and even caribou.


The East Coast Trail website says it best: The paths of the East Coast Trail take you past towering cliffs and headlands, sea stacks, deep fjords, and a natural wave-driven geyser called the Spout. It provides access to abandoned settlements, lighthouses, ecological reserves, seabird colonies, whales, icebergs, world's southern most caribou herd, historic sites, a 50-metre suspension bridge, two active archaeological dig sites, and many more attractions. It offers a wilderness paradise of boreal forest, fresh clean air and quiet solitude, all combined with the raw natural beauty of the rugged Atlantic Ocean.


Here is an excellent article that calls the East Coast Trail one of Canada's Hiking Holy Grails.


Unlike our previous trips to the East Coast Trail, this year's journey will traverse the segment south of our previous starting point, Bay Bulls. This year, we'll start at Domenic's Meadow just South of Witless Bay. From there, we will hike Southbound down the coast for the rest of the trip including an enormous suspension bridge, towering sea-stacks and swimming / camping / bathhouses at La Manche Provincial Park. (the odd time zone is 1.5 hours later than Eastern Standard Time). From there, we'll be shuttle back into St. Johns to complete our trek.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking, especially on the East Coast Trail. Late Summer is a great time to visit since the season is short, it's still warm and the bugs are (hopefully) gone. Plus there are blueberries ... lots and lots of blueberries. Newfoundland weather averages. show that you should prepared for rain, wind and possibly freezing weather. Expect daytime temperatures in the mid-60s (10°C) and nighttime temps in the mid-40s (5°C) although on the 2015 trip temperatures reached the 70s (25°C) most days. The ocean moderates the air temperature so it doesn't get very warm during the day, but also doesn't get very cold at night.



Probable Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Danielle Piscatelli


Cost

$1350 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from St. Johns Newfoundland (YYT) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals (such as dinner in St. Johns & lunch in Cape Broyle) and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, campground fees and awesome guides.



Important Note

For those who have been on one of our previous East Coast Trail trips, this one traverses the section South of the previous trips. The section is a little more remote and wilder, but should have the same character.

The East Coast Trail can be easy, moderate or difficult depending upon the section. The terrain on some days may be extremely rugged, but sometimes it will be very forgiving. Expect lots of wind and a reasonable amount of precipitation in Newfoundland, but hope for our 2015 weather which was stellar most days. You should also expect constant sweeping views high above the Atlantic Ocean.

Newfoundland's time zone is 1.5 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time (New York).

It's October 3, 2020 and non-essential travel to Canada is prohibited from the United States.


Back to top

 

Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Packing List
Sign up Now!

Itinerary


Saturday, August 28, 2021

Fly or drive into St. Johns (YYT) Newfoundland

Take free airport shuttle to our local hotel (TBD)

Equipment shakedown. We go through your pack to make sure you are outfitted sufficiently (but have not overpacked).

Distribution of trail mix, Covid permitting

Forehead temperature taken to check for Covid risk

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Trip to The Outfitters Store, 220 Water Street, St. John's, NL Canada, 800-966-9658, for forgotten or last minute equipment

Go out to welcome dinner in hotel, not included in trip cost



Sunday, August 29, 2021

Second set of before body composition measurements taken

Forehead temperature taken to check for Covid risk

Free hotel breakfast

Check out of hotel

Shuttle van, storage unit or hotel will take your spare bag(s) for safekeeping

Shuttle to Witless Bay Trailhead off of Gallows Cove Rd., East Coast Trail

This gentle path follow the sea edge, weaving through woods, heath and meadowland. Cobblestone beaches are accessible at many points. Popular activites include beachcombing, picknicking annd wave, whale and seabird watching.

Start hiking at Domenick's Meadow Trailhead near Witless Bay, East Coast Trail

Hike 3.5 Km (2.2 miles) to Little Bald Head

Hike 0.3 Km roundtrip (0.2 miles) to Little Bald Head, a rock outcropping offering dramatic views.

Hike 2.4 Km (1.5 miles) to Nolan's Meadow

Dispersed Camp at Nolans Meadow practicing Leave No Trace principles

Expect no water tonight, we will carry it all in from the trailhead

Distance today: 6.2 Km (3.9 miles). Total to date: 6.2 Km (3.9 miles)

Possible Bailout: Witless Bay


Monday, August 30, 2021

Hike 1.1 Km (0.7 miles) to the Mobile Beach Trailhead

Fill water from the Mobile River if necessary

Road Walk 1.4 Km (0.9 miles) to Cove Road Trailhead

Hike 5.1 Km (3.2 miles) to Tors Cove Trailhead / The Cribbies (whatever the hell that is)

Road Walk 0.6 Km (0.4 miles) to Boone's Head Trailhead

Hike 0.8 Km (0.5 miles) to Burnt Cove

Road Walk 2.9 Km (1.8 miles) to Bauline Head Trailhead

Hike 2.7 Km (1.7 miles) to a suspension bridge / spur trail

Hike 1.5 Km (0.9 miles) to La Manche Provincial Park

Camp at La Manche Provincial Park Campground, sites TBD.

The campground has flush toilets, running water and swimming.

Distance today: 16.1 Km (10.0 miles). Total to date: 22.3 Km (13.9 miles)

Possible Bailout: Tors Cove


Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Day-Hike about 3.0 Km roundtrip (1.9 miles) to a park waterfall, in the Western portion of the park

Pack up camp

Hike 1.5 Km (0.9 miles) back to the the East Coast trail

Hike 2.9 Km (1.8 miles) to Cape Neddick Spur Trail

Hike 0.6 Km (0.4 miles) roundtrip to Cape Neddick Spur

Hike 4.2 Km (2.6 miles) to Flamber Head

Hike 0.6 Km (0.4 miles) roundtrip to Flamber Head

Hike 0.6 Km (0.4 miles) to Roaring Cove Campsite.

Camp at the Roaring Cove Campsite. Site has a pit toilet and reliable (?) water

Distance Today: 13.4 Km (8.3 miles). Total to Date: 35.7 Km (22.2 miles)

Possible Bailout: La Manche Provincial Park


Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Hike 1.6 Km (1.0 miles) to Deep Cove River. Water can be found here.

Hike 2.3 Km (1.4 miles) to Boone's Head Trailhead North.

Drop packs and day-Hike 0.9 Km (0.6 miles) to Turtle Island.

Road Walk 0.3 Km (0.2 miles) to Brigus South Trailhead

Hike 4.9 Km (3.0 miles) passing a spring well (water possibility) to Reddys Tar Cove, the site of a meadow and an old settlement (flat, we hope!)

Dispersed camp at Reddy's Tar Cove practicing Leave No Trace principles

Distance Today: 10.0 Km (6.2 miles). Total to Date: 45.7 Km (28.4 miles)

Possible Bailout: Brigus South


Thursday, September 2, 2021

Hike 1.5 Km (0.9 miles) to Admiral's Cove Trailhead

Road Walk 5.6 Km (3.5 miles) to Riverside Restaurant and Lounge for lunch. Lunch not included in trip cost.

Road Walk 1.5 Km (0.9 miles) to the Shore Path by Peggy's Hollow

Hike 7.2 Km (4.5 miles) to Long Will Campsite

Camp at Long Will Campsite

Water can be found at Freshwater Marsh near Long Will Campsite

Distance Today: 15.8 Km (9.8 miles). Total to Date: 61.5 Km (38.2 miles)

Possible Bailout: Cape Broyle


Friday, September 3, 2021

Hike 4.7 Km (2.9 miles) to Church Cove Meadow

Option 1: Hike 2.5 Km (1.6 miles) on Church Path, past a swimming beacnh on Slaughters Pond to Galavans Hill

Option 2 for obsessive mileage hounds: Hike 6.4 Km (4.0 miles) on rugged trails to Stone Island Castle

End of Hike

Distance today: 7.2 Km (4.5 miles) or 10.6 Km (6.6 miles). Total to date: 68.7 Km (42.7 miles) or 72.1 Km (44.8 miles)

End of hiking

Shuttle back to St. John's hotel (TBD)

"After" measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Saturday, September 4, 2021

Free Hotel Breakfast

Free airport shuttle


Back to top