Duration
15 days
Activities
  • Self guided hiking and cycling
Accommodation
  • B&B's/guesthouses
  • Glamping Tent
  • Wine Estate
  • Centrally located hotels
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 7 Lunches
  • 11 Breakfasts
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: SOG7346

Overview

Trip highlights

  • Enjoy stunning coastal multi-day hiking
  • Opportunities to spot whales, icebergs, puffins, and moose
  • Discover colourful and historic fishing villages and communities
  • Step foot on the most easterly point of North America
  • Experience first-hand friendly Newfoundland hospitality
  • Ride over Myra Canyon's historic trestles and through its tunnels
  • Visit the world-class wineries of Naramata Bench and Summerland's Bottleneck Drive
  • Sample the delights of BC's biggest fruit producing region

As whale pods patrol an emerald coast, sea birds flutter overhead in the salty fresh breeze, while plump golden bakeapples sprout across windswept barrens. Bright-painted clapboard houses sit alongside worn nets and lobster traps. With this stunning coastal beauty enriched by colourful seafaring communities, it’s little wonder Newfoundland captures the imagination. Comprised of 26 wilderness paths totalling over 300km/186mi along the province’s Avalon Peninsula, the East Coast Trail covers towering cliffs, deep fjords, dense greenery and dramatic sea-stacks, arches and ocean caves. Our itinerary gathers the very best of these trails while removing all your logistical headaches, lightening your load with friendly transfers and providing comfortable, authentic accommodation too. Offering plenty of flexibility, Newfoundland’s nature and culture are on full display, from popular day hikes along Cape Spear and Deadman’s Bay to the less-trafficked wonders at Flamber Head and Berry Head. You’ll meet the story-rich characters that breathe life into the coastal communities, and discover the history and seafood available in small villages from Quidi Vidi and Petty Harbour all the way to the capital of St John’s. The East Coast Trail is less arduous but no less stunning than its western counterpart, an unforgettable adventure no come-from-away will want to miss.

Your adventure then takes you to the other Canadian Coast where you will cycle through one of Canada's sunniest regions on an awe-inspiring section of the Trans Canada Trail in the Okanagan, British Columbia. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVR) is a converted railway bed originally built in the early 1900s to facilitate mining in the area. Although surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, the route needed to be suitable for trains, so the rail trail's grade is never over 2.2%, making for a pleasant cycling route. Ride alongside beautiful lakes, over the dramatic Myra Canyon Trestles, through mountain tunnels, and into the heart of one of the biggest fruit and wine-producing areas in Canada. Enjoy views of vine-covered hillsides along Okanagan Lake and endless opportunities to sample the local wines and culinary delights of Naramata, Summerland and Kelowna.

Activities:
Grading:
5

Moderate

More info about grading system

Itinerary

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Steve: 23 AUG AC34 DEP 0930 SYD - ARR YVR (VANCOUVER) 0700 23 AUG AC206 DEP 0900 YVR (VANCOUVER) ARR YYC (CALGARY) 1124 2 SEPT AC130 DEP 0600 YYC (CALGARY)) ARR YYZ (TORONTO) 1143 2 SEPT AC130 DEP 1245 YYZ (TORONTO) ARR YYT (STJOHN) 1712 Andrew: 31 AUG HOB-SYD QF998 Dep1205 ARR 1355 1 SEPT AC34 DEP 0930 SYD - ARR YVR (VANCOUVER) 0700 1 SEPT AC108 DEP 0900 YVR (VANCOUVER) ARR YYZ (TORONTO) 1623 1 SEPT AC690 DEP 1750 YYZ (TORONTO) ARR YYT (ST JOHN) 2217 Welcome to the windy, colourful and boisterous capital of Newfoundland. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your charming B&B 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:  L

Technically today’s loop is not part of the East Trail, but it’s too beautiful to miss. We walk along a lake north of St John’s to the old fishing village of Quidi Vidi (pronounced Kiddy Viddy), which is home to the province’s largest microbrewery, and an acclaimed restaurant in one of the oldest buildings in North America (lunch reservations are required). After refreshing yourself with Quidi Vidi’s Iceberg beer, made with the pure waters of 20,000-year-old iceberg water, head over to the Sugarloaf Path located at the southern end of the ECT. It’s a solid hike up to the top of Bowdens Highland for an incredible view over the village, and St John’s in the distance. The walk back to your B&B in the city follows a gorgeous coastal path, crossing the National Historic Site of Signal Hill and the Battery of St John’s Harbour.

Meals:  B

Your friendly local driver-guide will shepherd you this morning to the southernmost end of the East Coast Trail, where you’ll explore the fishing villages and abandoned settlements of Renews-Cappahayden. From here, you’ll head up to Ferryland, one of the oldest communities on the island, where you’ll be able to perform your own dig at the Colony of Avalon Archaeology Site or attend summer dinner theatre at the Arts Centre. Provided with a blanket, find your spot on the natural ocean-side terrace and order a delicious lunch a-la picnic basket*. From Ferryland, walk north on the trail to Calvert, where you will be picked up and transferred to your charming guesthouse for a tasty home-cooked dinner. *Picnics operate from late May to late September, subject to availability at time of booking

Meals:  B,L,D

If there’s a single photo of your trip that will stop people in their tracks, it will be the massive sea arch at Berry Head located on the Spurwink Island Path section of the trail. Chunks of the stratified archway continue to fall to the ground below, while the reflecting ocean window is sublime on a summer day. You have the option of hiking the full distance southwards from Aquaforte back to your accommodation or to do an out-and-back hike to the archway from your accommodation. Both options result in similar hiking distances, but the latter (out and back) route avoids the north section, which is a rugged hike through dense forest with few coastal views.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today, sparkling turquoise waters and cliffside boardwalk await you at La Manche Provincial Park. The 50-metre/164-foot long swaying La Manche suspension bridge is another highlight of the East Coast Trail, crossing a tranquil cove that once serviced a long-abandoned fishing village. You’ll continue south along the Flamber Head Path, one of the more remote, underrated sections of the ECT. The trail rolls over wooded hills, headlands and cliff-faces with sweeping coastal views, concluding at your pick-up point in the charming little harbour community of Brigus South. A home-cooked meal awaits back in Port Kirwan.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a hearty breakfast, you take on two of the easier sections of the East Coast Trail, commencing at the famous brightly-painted saltbox houses in the community of Tors Cove. With its epic views of blue ocean, rocks, field and forest, “the Cribbies” is the most photographed meadow in Newfoundland. It 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.

Meals:  B,L,D

You will be picked up after breakfast 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 St John's.

Meals:  B,L

Beginning at the Bay Path Trailhead, your return path into the city will be hilly, with a few steep climbs or descents, the coastal path traces a long ridge past a former settlement, an old mine and is the location of several shipwrecks. A placard at Fort Amherst, which still houses the remains of WWII gun emplacements and signs of the 17th century Ford Frederick, signals the end of the East Coast Trail. From here you will walk back to St. John’s. Having ticked off some of the most magnificent hikes in Newfoundland, celebrate with some screech in the boisterous pubs on George Street.

Meals:  B,L

AC673 DEP 1240 YYT (ST JOHNS) - ARR YUL (MONTREAL) 1404 AC365 DEP 1855 YUL (MONTREAL) - ARR YLW (KELOWNA) 2120 Make your way to your hotel in Kelowna arranged by DC.

Meals:  B

Set on the beautiful Okanagan Lake, the energic city is surrounded by wilderness, mountains, vineyards and orchards. Enjoy the vibrant cultural life of the largest city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.

Meals:  Nil

Make your way to Tour hotel - a View to Remember B&B, West Kelowna.

Meals:  Nil

A morning shuttle will pick you up from your hotel in Kelowna for a transfer to the start of your cycling journey on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. The trail access point is near Idabel Lake, where your bikes will be fitted, and after a briefing, you are off to begin your KVR ride. Today you will encounter the immense and remote Hydraulic Lake, and you will ride high along the edge of a winding canyon with views down to the valley as you cycle towards the spectacular Myra Canyon trestle bridges. This is one of the most scenic sections on the Trans Canada Trail, with 18 wooden trestles and two tunnels built to enable traversing the canyon. After passing the final trestle, enjoy the downhill ride up to historic Chute Lake and railway museum, where you will stay for the night. Chute Lake Lodge features a Canadian style restaurant and various activities, from relaxing in the sauna to kayaking on the tranquil lake amidst striking mountains. Most room types utilize shared bathrooms.

Meals:  B

After a hearty lodge breakfast, get back on your bike for a lovely ride toward the picturesque Naramata Bench. This section of the KVR leads you beneath giant Ponderosa pines before the view opens up to an expanse of hillside orchards and wineries along the shores of sparkling Okanagan Lake. The trail then heads south to Penticton along the renowned Naramata Bench, recognized for its high density of wineries along a touring route with breathtaking views and delicious dining options. It's a breezy coast downhill to Penticton through orchards and vineyards. Penticton is along the beautiful Okanagan lake, nestled in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. We recommend grabbing lunch at the Hillside Winery or the Poplar Grove Winery as you near the city. Your accommodation for the night is within cycling distance of numerous recommended wineries, including the D'Angelo, Ruby Blues, Red Rooster, and Lock and Worth Wineries.

Meals:  Nil

Today's cycling itinerary starts straight from your accommodation in Penticton and circumnavigates Skaha Lake all the way to Summerland. You will ride on a panoramic road to OK Falls on the eastern coastline of the lake. The route is mostly flat unless you decide to make the detour to some nearby wineries up the hill. Soon you'll reach the little community of Okanagan Falls, locally known as OK Falls, on the south tip of Skaha Lake. The town is named after twin waterfalls, but they have since disappeared, so don't go chasing waterfalls. However, it's a nice stop for lunch at one of the small local restaurants, or you can grab some fresh food at the market for a picnic at the lovely Christie Memorial Park. From here, you'll be joining the Kettle Valley Rail Trail on the west side of the lake and cycle your way to Summerland. The trail ends where an active rail line begins, and you will split off to tour the southernmost wineries of Summerland's Bottleneck Drive, an impressive cluster of sweeping vineyards and lush orchards. Overnight in Summerland.

Meals:  B

AC8281 DEP YLW (KELOWNA) 1840 - ARR YVR (VANCOUVER) 1938 AC33 DEP YVR (VANCOUVER) 2315 - ARR SYD 0745 (18 SEPT) ANDREW ONLY: 18 SEPT VA1530 DEP 0955 SYD - ARR HOB 1150

Meals:  B

Inclusions

What's included

  • Meals as indicated in the detailled itinerary
  • Accommodation in twin occupancy basis
  • Luggage transfers (1 piece per person)
  • Transfers to/from trailheads as indicated in itinerary
  • Navigation APP inclusive of detailed route notes and points of interest (available offline while hiking & cycling)
  • Set of trail maps (1 per group)
  • Use of Garmin emergency communications device (1 per group) in Newfoundland

  • Airport transfers other then the arrival one in St John's
  • Items of a personal nature including alcoholic beverages
  • Meals and transfers where not indicated in the itinerary
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Entrance fees and optional activities
  • Airport departure transfer
  • Applicable taxes

Accommodation

Charming B&Bs

Combination of B&B's and guesthouses. All have been chosen for their convenient locations, local character, and quality. The trip price is based on double occupancy. Please indicate if you prefer to share a bed, or have separate beds. A single supplement is available for those wishing to secure their own rooms, subject to availability.

Charming B&B's

Combination of B&B's and guesthouses. All have been chosen for their convenient locations, local character, and quality. The trip price is based on double occupancy. Please indicate if you prefer to share a bed, or have separate beds. A single supplement is available for those wishing to secure their own rooms, subject to availability.

Glamping

Accommodation on this trip is in comfortable B&Bs and 1 night in glamping tent. Each has been chosen for its convenient location, local character, and quality.

Bike information

Hybrid Bike

Modern hybrids suitable for road and mild off-road use with eighteen to twenty-four gears. They are provided with a rear rack, helmet, lock, bell and basic tool kit.

E-bike

E-bike upgrades are possible upon request, subject to availability. Equipped with rear rack, helmet, lock, bell, and basic tool kit. Great option for a boost or extra pedal-power!

Trail Surface

Nice to Rough Trail Surfaces

The Kettle Valley Rail Trail encompasses everything from hard packed surfaces to soft, sandy conditions and some rocky areas. You can expect to occasionally find standing water in some sections as well as potential detours. Please note that this is a multi-use trail and motorized vehicles (ATVs) are permitted. Be prepared for rougher sections including potholes in the higher traffic areas and other potential obstructions. Please note that the trail authority that maintains the trail does so sporadically throughout the season on an annual basis. Be prepared for rougher sections of trail undergoing maintenance during this process.

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Suitability

Moderate

5

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. Introductory to moderate. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is primarily rolled stone dust and dirt, and never has more than a 2.2% grade. In wet weather, parts of the trail may be muddy and sections may be in need of minor repair. We've made your ride lighter by moving your extra luggage ahead where required. Most cyclists of average ability should be able to complete the route easily especially as the cycling days do not exceed 60 kilometres in distance. Self guided walking or cycling 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!). Cyclists will be expected to know how to fix a flat tire and make basic adjustments to their bicycles using the included repair kit. 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 a 7-day service hotline in the event of any problems.

Departure dates

Monday to Friday from June through September 25

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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.

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Hiking Newfoundland's East Coast Trail with Great Canadian Trails