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Trip Code: ETX
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Our introductory East Coast Trail trip immerses you in Newfoundland’s scenic southern coast with a flexible, center-based experience. Each day brings breathtaking hikes with high cliff views over the Atlantic and iconic highlights like Cape Spear, North America’s easternmost point. Marvel at the spectacular Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, a lively sanctuary for puffins and migrating seabirds, and enjoy lookout points over Renews Harbour, where finback, humpback, and minke whales are often spotted, making for memorable wildlife encounters. The trail features grassy meadows, woodland paths, and brook crossings, leading to dramatic views of The Forge, where waves break powerfully over sea-washed ledges. At day’s end, relax at your cozy b&b retreat, reflecting on your adventure and enjoying Newfoundland’s coastal charm. This itinerary combines flexibility, natural beauty, and memorable sights, perfect for an immersive East Coast Trail introduction.
Introductory to Moderate
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18kg of CO2-e PP per day
(89kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive St. John's
Welcome to the windy, colourful and boisterous capital of Newfoundland. You will need to find your way to your hotel in the centre of town (details are provided with your final documents). Spend the rest of the day exploring one of the oldest cities in North America, discovering its bright-painted heritage houses and buildings, restaurants, galleries and antique shops. Your accommodation is also close to the legendary nightlife and live music on George Street.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Petty Harbour to Cape Spear (Approx 3.5-5.5hrs – 10.2km/6.3mi)
You will be picked up and taken to the trail head at Petty Harbour for your hike to Cape Spear, the most easterly point of the continent, in the shadow of the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, and an iconic symbol of the province’s maritime history. Your hike will feature board-walked bog crossings, a variety of terrains, two river crossings and expansive views of deep swells rolling in across the Atlantic. You have plenty of time to explore the Cape Spear Lighthouse, which was originally built in 1836 and rebuilt in 1955 using the active light of the original lighthouse before you are transferred to your inn in Bay Bulls.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Bauline South to Witless Bay (Approx 5.5-6hrs – 16.5km/10.3mi)
After breakfast, you will be dropped off in the picturesque community of Bauline South, where the island’s rich fishing heritage is well preserved. You will set out to the north along a coastal link between communities. The road walk of about 2km/1.2mi leads to the brightly painted saltbox houses of Tors Cove and epic views of ocean, rocks, field and forest at “the Cribbies.” Heralded as the most photographed meadow in Newfoundland, this spot has one of the best views of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, and a touch of fairy-tale magic. The trail then hugs the shoreline all the way to the reserve, a sanctuary for puffins and migrating seabirds. The area is also a popular feeding ground for humpback whales, so keep an eye out for tails and breaches. A short transfer will bring you from Witless Bay back to your inn in Bay Bulls.
Day 4
Cappahayden to Renews (Approx 3-5hrs – 10.6km/6.6miles)
After an early transfer, today’s path passes through grassy meadows and mixed woods, crosses numerous brooks and takes you to a fantastic lookout over The Forge. This monumental cinder block of rock is regularly pounded by high waves in rough seas. More impressive lookouts follow, with views of Renews harbour and a thriving cormorant colony nesting on Renews Island. Your day ends at a lovely cliffside retreat in Bauline South, where you can relax to the sound of waves washing across the rocky shoreline.
Day 5
Logy Bay to St John's (Approx 4.5-6.5hrs, up to 12.7km/7.9mi)
Wake to the sound of waves on the shore, then fuel up with a full forager’s breakfast at the in-house café. A transfer takes you to a coastal trail linking Logy Bay with St. John’s. Expect two climbs of 150m/492ft. Take in coastal vistas from Sugarloaf Head to the north, explore the rock formations of the Skerries, and enjoy 360-degree views of St. John’s and Quidi Vidi from the Bawdens Highlands to the south. The well-marked hiking and biking routes criss-cross as they climb the Bawdens Highlands. Beyond the White Hills and Bawdens Highlands, Quidi Vidi Village offers visitor services and a link to Signal Hill National Historic Site. The optional 175m/574ft climb up Signal Hill is well worth the effort. Either way, you walk back to your St. John’s hotel, whether directly from Quidi Vidi for a more relaxing finish or over Signal Hill for views of the harbour and city. You’ve just finished some of Newfoundland’s most magnificent hikes, so celebrate with a screech in the lively pubs of George Street.
Meals: B,L
Day 6
Tour concludes
Services end after breakfast. We hope you enjoyed your stay at 'the Rock'!
Meals: B
Featuring grassy meadows and mixed woods, today's path crosses numerous brooks and takes you to a fantastic lookout point overlooking The Forge. This monumental cinder block of rock is regularly pounded by high waves in rough seas. More impressive lookouts follow, with views of Renews harbour and a thriving cormorant colony nesting on Renews Island. Your day ends at a lovely cliffside retreat in Bauline South, where you can relax to the sound of waves washing across the rocky shoreline.
Bauline South to Witless Bay (Approx 5.5-6hrs, 16.5km/10.3mi)
Wake up to the refreshing sound of constant waves along the rocky shoreline and grab a full forager's breakfast at the in-house café before setting out to the north along a coastal community link. The road walk of about 2 km will reward you with famed brightly painted saltbox houses of the community of Tors Cove and epic views of blue ocean, rocks, field and forest at “the Cribbies." This spot, heralded as the most photographed meadow in Newfoundland, has one of the best views of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, and fairy-tale magic about the place. The trail hugs the shoreline with lovely shore and coastal views all the way to the reserve, which is a sanctuary for puffins and migrating seabirds. The area is also a popular feeding ground for humpback whales, so keep an eye out for tails and breaches. A short transfer will bring you from Witless Bay to your inn in Bay Bulls.
Petty Harbour to Cape Spear (Approx 3.5-5.5hrs, 10.2km/6.3mi)
You will be picked up and taken to the trail head at Petty Harbour for your hike to Cape Spear, the most easterly point of the continent, in the shadow of the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, and an iconic symbol of the province’s maritime history. Your hike will feature board-walked bog crossings, a variety of terrains, two river crossings and expansive views of deep swells rolling in across the Atlantic. You have plenty of time to explore the Cape Spear Lighthouse, which was originally built in 1836 and rebuilt in 1955 using the active light of the original lighthouse before you are transferred back to your inn in Bay Bulls.
A morning transfer awaits after breakfast to join this diverse coastal trail connecting Logy Bay with St. John’s. The trail features two significant elevation changes of 150m / 492ft. Along the way, you'll enjoy stunning coastal vistas from atop Sugarloaf Head to the north, explore unique rock formations at the Skerries, and take in panoramic 360-degree views of St. John’s and Quidi Vidi from the Bawdens Highlands in the south. Be aware that the hiking trail and biking route, both well-marked, criss-cross up Bawdens Highland. After crossing White Hills and Bawdens Highland, Quidi Vidi Village offers a range of services for visitors and a community link to Signal Hill National Historic Site. The optional 175m / 574ft climb up Signal Hill is well worth it, as viewers who have experienced the historic viewpoint will attest. You will be walking back to your St. John's hotel, whether you decided to take the more relaxing route directly from Quidi Vidi Village or to climb Signal Hill for the impressive views of the city harbour and surroundings. Having ticked off some of the most magnificent hikes in Newfoundland, celebrate with some screech in the boisterous pubs on George Street.
What's included
What's not included
The East Coast Trail is considered one of the world’s best coastal hikes. The trail covers a variety of terrain, and its location along the rugged coast of the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland is exposed to unpredictable weather variation. Each segment of the East Coast Trail is unique, offering a variety of trail surfaces and memorable experiences but potentially creating challenges that require sure footing and extra preparation.
You will encounter everything from relatively flat to short, steep sections. Mixed ascents and descents will range up to 150 meters. Most of the walk is on well-marked trail with some boarded surfaces, exposed tree roots, and likely mud and/or rocks to tread over or around. Some sections of the East Coast Trail can get particularly slippery after rainy days, including stream crossing, we recommend using hiking poles. You will need suitable footwear with good support to avoid rolling ankles or encountering blisters. This is not a trip for breaking in new hiking boots! Be sure you have tried and tested your boots in wet conditions and over uneven terrain. Expect long hiking days as distances may vary from 8 to 16km per day with variable weather conditions. Be prepared for each day's weather by carrying a variety of gear appropriate for adverse weather (rain gear, windbreakers, sunscreen, long pants, etc.).
Introductory to moderate. Daily walks are between 8km and 16km on well marked trails over diverse and often rugged terrain – from relatively flat to short, steep sections. Most of the walk is on trail with some boarded surfaces, exposed tree roots, and likely mud and/or rocks to scramble over. You should pay particular attention to your footwear to ensure that it is suitable to avoid blisters and rolling ankles. This is not a trip for breaking in new hiking boots! Be sure you have tried and tested your boots in wet conditions and over uneven terrain. Route finding will be reasonably straightforward (refer to information regarding self guided adventures) but days are long and weather conditions will be variable. The main areas to concentrate on route finding are arriving and leaving towns and cities, and along rocky shores. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to take in all of the views, with time to stop and take photos. You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. Self-guided walking requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. If you’ve never been on a self-guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of if as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide local contact information in the event of any problems. There is a certain level of the unknown that comes with self-guided trips, however with a methodical approach potential problems will be averted. The freedom of a self guided trip is something that, once experienced, is sought time and time again.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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Everyone who works with us, from our office staff, ground staff and guides is the ‘’real deal’’. Our team is comprised of actual hikers and cyclists who have explored or live in the region in which you will be travelling. Our entire network is highly-specialised in active travel.
Quality services at the best price make our adventures great value for money. Having essential items included like National Park fees, charming accommodations, most meals, bikes for cycling trips, maps and support for peace of mind. Our inclusions allow you to better budget for your big adventure.
We look beyond the horizon to find new and exciting adventures. We’re passionate about shaping the next generation of outdoor travel in Canada, and constantly seek different ways, routes and alternatives to exceed our clients’ dreams.
We are committed to responsible travel and true sustainability, formed when the company was established, and in the face of a multitude of threats to the environment, our commitment is stronger than ever. We aim to "leave no trace" in both an environmental and cultural sense.
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