Newfoundland - Hikes in the Western Part of the Island

INTRODUCTION

Trip taken in 2021, but still relevant for exploring the island of Newfoundland.

We went on multiple hikes in this Canadian province, which offers a unique and breathtaking landscape.

GPS coordinates: 46.20884, -60.24498 Marine Atlantic Ferry

To do this, we traveled to North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to board a Marine Atlantic ferry that took us to Port aux Basques in Newfoundland. The crossing takes about 7 hours.

The ferry *Highlanders* features spacious cabins for two or four people, a restaurant, a retail store, and a play area for kids.

The reclining seats are comfortable and include a headphone jack and a USB charging port.

We went out on the open-air panoramic observation deck several times to admire the Atlantic Ocean, hoping to spot some marine wildlife. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any.

This short video gives you an overview of the facilities. For more details, I invite you to check out Marine Atlantic’s website at the following address: https://www.marineatlantique.ca/.

https://youtu.be/oV9_7AcJnEQ

HIKES IN THE ISLAND'S WEST

The west of Newfoundland Island is a region of epic proportions: 700 kilometers separate Channel-Port aux Basques in the southwest from the Viking site at L'Anse aux Meadows at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula.

Between these two points, 1.25 billion years have slowly shaped a unique and breathtaking landscape: the Long Range Mountains, Gros Morne Mountain (the island's second-highest peak at 806 m), glacier-carved fjords, thousands of kilometers of coastline, rich French heritage, and distinctive wildlife and flora. Not to mention the Port-au-Port Peninsula, home to the cradle of Newfoundland's Francophone community. (Source: https://www.exploretnl.ca/region-ouest).

Below is a list of the hikes we did in this region. Each hike has a link for quick access to more information.

Videos are embedded throughout the summary. Click on the image to start the video.

Rose Blanche - Barachois Falls Hiking Trail Rose Blanche - The Lighthouse Port-au-Port - Danny Hiking Trail Sheaves Cove - Hidden Falls York Harbour - Copper Mine Falls Trail Lark Harbour - Southhead Lighthouse Trail York Harbour - Cape Blow Me Down Trail Lark Harbour - Bottle Cove & Sunset Rock Lark Harbour - Cedar Cove Trail & Little Port Head Lighthouse Trail Blow Me Down Provincial Park - James Cook Heritage Trail Norris Point - Burnt Hill Trail Portland Creek - Arches Provincial Park Port au Choix National Historic Site - Caribou Viewing Flower's Cove - Thrombolites Hiking Trail St. Anthony - Fishing Point Head - Daredevil Trail L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site

ROSE BLANCHE - BARACHOIS FALLS HIKING TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 47.60766, -58.77358 Parking lot and trailhead GPS Coordinates: 47.61184, -58.76720 Waterfall

This trail is a linear 800-meter route (so 1.6 km round trip). It’s easy and starts at the parking area on Route 470 between Burnt Islands and Rose Blanche.

The beginning of the trail is gravel. After that, a long wooden boardwalk leads you to the foot of a stunning waterfall nestled in a lush green valley.

Pretty plants line the trail, including the purple pitcher plant, which is Newfoundland’s provincial flower. We also learned that this plant, which grows in the province’s marshes and bogs, is carnivorous and feeds on insects that drown in the water collected in its tubular leaves.

https://youtu.be/efzd7gzaCb4

ROSE BLANCHE - THE LIGHTHOUSE

GPS Coordinates: 47.60183, -58.69456

The Rose Blanche Lighthouse is located east of Port aux Basques, at the very end of Route 470.

It’s accessible via a gravel trail that forms a loop of about 1 km. The lighthouse is situated halfway along the route.

This lighthouse was built in 1871 and later renovated in 1999. It’s dedicated to all the sailors who navigate these coasts, as well as to the lights and keepers who guide them home. The interior is open for visits.

It’s worth mentioning that it’s set in a magical environment. This short hike offers stunning viewpoints over the village of Rose Blanche, its bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Lookout points and granite rest benches are placed at various spots along the trail.

Informational panels have also been installed to share interesting details about this historic site.

The white rocks you see all around are granite. The lighthouse structure itself is made of stones sourced from a local granite quarry.

To learn more, I invite you to check out the following website: http://www.roseblanchelighthouse.ca/.

https://youtu.be/NNbvNuKR2fA

PORT AU PORT - DANNY HIKING TRAIL

GPS coordinates: 48.55862, -58.72964 Parking and trailhead GPS coordinates: 48.56227, -58.75715 End of the trail

This easy-level hiking trail is a 3.2 km linear route (so 6.4 km round trip).

It starts near a long and beautiful beach and runs along the picturesque Port au Port Bay.

Pretty flowers line the trail. Some trees have spectacular shapes.

We pass by several coves with truly stunning beaches.

Several limestone rock formations also line the coastline, making the scenery absolutely breathtaking.

https://youtu.be/fJoziKJc4gg

HIDDEN FALLS - SHEAVES COVE

GPS coordinates: 48.51791, -59.05267 Parking GPS coordinates: 48.52062, -59.05236 Waterfall

Hidden Falls is a stunning waterfall located in Sheaves Cove on the south coast of the Port-au-Port Peninsula.

A sign along Route 460 points to the entrance, which leads to the parking area by the Atlantic Ocean.

From the parking lot, you’ve got an excellent view of the waterfall.

A short linear trail of about 400 m (so 800 m round trip) makes it easy to reach the base of the falls.

The water cascades down in tiers along a stratified cliff before flowing into the ocean.

I also recommend checking out the pebble beach behind the parking lot. It’s really quite lovely, bordered by spectacular rock formations.

https://youtu.be/KoTZUjrhqpw

YORK HARBOUR - COPPER MINE FALLS TRAIL

GPS coordinates: 49.06172, -58.30466 Parking and trailhead GPS coordinates: 49.05911, -58.30462 Waterfall

The Copper Mine Falls trail is an easy-level hike with a linear distance of about 500 meters (so 1 km round trip). It leads to a stunning waterfall.

We went there twice. The first time, it was pouring rain, and the waterfall’s flow was spectacular.

The water was brownish because it carried soil from erosion.

We couldn’t get close to the waterfall without getting soaked by the spray from the powerful flow, which had also significantly swollen the riverbed.

We returned three days later, and the flow had returned to normal. The water, completely translucent, cascaded into a pool at the base of the cliff and gently flowed into the river.

https://youtu.be/7HQEF4lJuxs

LARK HARBOUR - SOUTHHEAD LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 49.11716, -58.40618 Parking GPS Coordinates: 49.11846, -58.40841 Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 49.13363, -58.38348 End of trail

This trail is a linear route of 3.3 km (so 6.6 km round trip) rated as moderate to difficult.

It starts near a parking area overlooking the stunning Bottle Cove in Lark Harbour.

First, it crosses a wooded area and then runs along a tiny cove called Miranda Cove. We took a little break here to chat with some locals who were resting on a bench with an ocean view.

We then continued our hike through a second wooded section where the trail is scattered with many roots. There are also large rocks in certain parts of the route.

Along the way, we stopped at two lookouts that offer breathtaking views of a magnificent waterfall flowing into the ocean.

The trail is also steep in a few spots, which is why ropes have been installed to help us keep our balance.

Next, the trail crosses a lush green valley and then steadily climbs through a pass to the top of the mountain.

On this stretch, there’s a bench placed under a tree, letting us rest while enjoying spectacular views of the stunning landscape around us.

During the climb, we could see waterfalls cascading down the opposite mountainside.

The closer we got to the summit, the thicker the fog became. It surrounded us, creating a really dramatic—but at the same time, incredibly beautiful—scene.

When we reached the lookout at the top of the mountain, we couldn’t see the view of Guernsey Island (Wee Ball) or the coastline because the fog was still there.

So, we made our way back down to the parking area. By then, the fog had finally lifted.

It’s a good idea to bring warm clothes for this hike since it can get really windy at the summit.

https://youtu.be/XJcmLADTUYk

YORK HARBOUR - CAPE BLOW ME DOWN TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 49.06172, -58.30466 Parking and trailhead GPS Coordinates: 49.06210, -58.27355 Summit (approximate)

The Cape Blow Me Down trail, rated moderate/difficult, is a 3.8 km linear route (so 7.6 km round trip).

It leads to the summit of Blow Me Down Mountain. At 650 meters above sea level, it offers a 360-degree panorama of the islands, bays, and surrounding mountains.

The first half of the trail starts with a long staircase that takes you into a dense forest. The climb is steady, and the path is littered with rocks and roots.

Ropes have been installed along the trail to help us climb steeper sections.

Benches have been placed at certain spots along the route to rest while enjoying beautiful views of the area.

The second half of the trail mostly runs along a cliff stripped of trees. The climb becomes even more challenging as the slope is quite steep, and the ground is covered with rocks.

However, the multiple viewpoints over the lakes and the valley encourage us to take a well-deserved break.

At the top of the mountain, there’s a giant cairn marking the summit and also providing shelter from the wind.

Shortly after we arrived, the wind picked up, and the temperature dropped significantly. My partner rested in the shelter of the wind, while I took the opportunity to explore the cliff’s summit.

Even though the sky was slightly overcast and a very light fog was present, the panoramic views of Bay of Islands, North Arm Hills, Humber Arm, and the surrounding communities were truly spectacular.

We retraced our steps back to the parking lot. The wind was very strong, so we were glad we had the right clothing for this type of hike.

It’s essential to check the weather forecast for this area before setting out on this hike.

https://youtu.be/eIfTPTtfUNs

LARK HARBOUR - BOTTLE COVE & SUNSET ROCK

GPS Coordinates: 49.11716, -58.40618 Parking

Bottle Cove is a very popular destination in Lark Harbour. Its beach and Sunset Rock are excellent spots to watch the sun set over the ocean.

There are hiking trails of varying difficulty levels here. You can also spot whales and even explore caves.

After completing the Southhead Lighthouse trail, we decided to do another hike in the area.

So, we set out on the Bottle Cove trail. It’s a loop of about 1.3 km that starts in the forest. The trail takes you to the top of Sunset Rock and then descends along the coastline.

This trail is rated easy to moderate. The route is indeed easy to walk, but some climbing is required to reach the summit (Sunset Rock).

The summit offers spectacular views of the rugged coastline, including Bottle Cove and Miranda Cove. The beauty of the different landscapes is breathtaking.

We then took a staircase that allows you to descend part of a very steep slope. At the end of the stairs, a rope has been installed to help with footing for the final descent, as the ground is covered in loose rock, making it quite slippery.

Next, we headed to the Captain Cook monument along the coastline. In this area, several small trails offer different viewpoints of the majestic landscape around us.

We also took the opportunity to watch the sunset during our visit, which was absolutely stunning.

https://youtu.be/IBCUo7iYUG4

LARK HARBOUR - CEDAR COVE TRAIL & LITTLE PORT HEAD LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 49.10607, -58.42139 Parking and trailhead GPS Coordinates: 49.09170, -58.42480 Cedar Cove GPS Coordinates: 49.09570, -58.42180 Junction for the Little Port Head Lighthouse Trail

These two trails are located in Lark Harbour on the west coast of Newfoundland. It's possible to do an out-and-back on the Cedar Cove Trail, but we decided to also take the Little Port Head Lighthouse Trail to complete a loop of about 5.5 km.

The Cedar Cove Trail is easy to moderate in difficulty. However, the Little Port Head Lighthouse Trail is EXTREME.

The trail starts with a staircase near the Little Port wharf. We first take the Cedar Cove Trail.

It goes through a wooded area and then enters a valley surrounded by majestic high cliffs. The scenery is stunning.

The trail follows a beautiful pond and leads us to the gorgeous Cedar Cove beach, whose waters are emerald green.

We look at the cliff to the right of the beach. The Little Port Head Lighthouse Trail leads to the top of this cliff.

After a short break, we backtrack to take this trail. A sign at the beginning warns that the trail is extreme and to be cautious since the cliffs are very high and ropes are needed in some places.

Despite the warnings, we decide to take the trail. Right from the start, we see moose tracks. We spot several more along the way but never get the chance to see the animal itself.

The trail has long, really steep sections. It's almost like climbing. Thankfully, the ropes are there to help us scale the cliff.

I don’t dare look back too often because I can feel the void that could pull me in if I’m not careful with every step.

It’s not just the trail that’s extreme—the heat is too, making this hike even more challenging.

But we quickly forget the superhuman efforts (we’re not as young as we used to be) when we take the time to admire the truly spectacular landscapes around us.

From this side of the cliff, we have a splendid panoramic view of the valley, Cedar Cove, the mountains, and the coastline. The scenery is amazing.

We climb and climb... And just when we think we’ve reached the top, we keep climbing even more. It takes a good dose of perseverance.

We finally reach the other side of the cliff. The views of Bottle Cove, Lark Harbour, the Little Port wharf, and the surrounding mountains are also breathtaking.

Of course, we’re still at the top of the mountain, and we’ll have to descend to finish our hike.

Eventually, we spot the ruins of an old lighthouse, which look tiny from where we are. We hope the descent will be less steep than the climb.

Our wish isn’t granted. The descent is really tough, and the rope sometimes burns our hands as it slips through our fingers. Non-slip gloves would’ve been really useful in this situation. The gloves I was wearing weren’t up to the task.

We take a break on the platform near the ruins of the old lighthouse to eat our lunch and recharge.

We set off again into the trail, which goes through a wooded area. A clearing lets us see the Little Port wharf and reminds us that we’re still hiking high up on this cliff.

The descent is easier this time, though, and ropes are still in place to help if needed.

What a relief to finally exit the woods and find ourselves walking along the wharf by the coastline.

One last small hill to climb and descend, and we’re back at the parking lot.

In summary, this hike pushed us beyond our limits and exceeded all our expectations. The landscapes are truly incredible.

The trails are very well marked, except at the top where there are rocky outcrops. You have to stay very alert to spot the markers and stay on the trail.

https://youtu.be/dbJlg7w-OMk

BLOW ME DOWN PROVINCIAL PARK - JAMES COOK HERITAGE TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 49.09002, -58.36291 Parking and trailhead GPS Coordinates: 49.09980, -58.34760 Tortoise Mountain

Blow Me Down Provincial Park not only has several camping spots but also a day-use area with a fee of $10 per vehicle, allowing us to enjoy the beach and hiking trails.

We took the James Cook Heritage Trail, a moderate-level linear trail of about 3 km (so roughly 6 km round trip).

The trail starts near a beautiful pebble beach, and we had to climb over 200 steps to reach an observation platform at the top of a mountain (Tortoise Mountain), which offers stunning panoramic views of Bay of Islands, Lark Harbour, and York Harbour.

This section of the trail is very well maintained by the park staff. Wooden boardwalks make it easier to walk through the woods.

Many people head to this viewpoint to admire the bay and then turn back, which significantly shortens the hike.

However, it’s possible to continue the hike all the way to Lark Harbour Head, which we did.

The trail, very narrow and covered with rocks and roots in several places, offers breathtaking views of the area. The landscapes are enchanting.

On the way back, we took the "Governor's Stairway" to descend toward the beach.

This staircase, set into volcanic rocks over 450 million years old, leads to the famous pebble beach bordered by translucent waters. It’s a must-see!

https://youtu.be/RbpqbiYgcpM

NORRIS POINT - BURNT HILL TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 49.51746, -57.87717 Parking GPS Coordinates: 49.51817, -57.87500 Trailhead

This +/- 2.3 km loop trail leads to the summit of Burnt Hill and offers stunning viewpoints over the area.

Several smaller trails have been built on this hill and can be hiked separately. For our part, we created a loop by hiking the Shoreline, The Saddle, Hilltop Loop, and Sheep Path trails.

The trail starts along the coastline and already offers a beautiful view of the village of Norris Point and Bonne Bay, where you can glimpse the Tablelands in the background.

The trail loops around Bonne Bay and steadily climbs to the top of the hill, giving us multiple viewpoints over the coastline.

Boardwalks and stairs have been built in certain spots to make getting around easier.

The trail then enters a wooded area and is covered with many roots. Several species of mushrooms line the path.

Two lookouts at the summit provide spectacular views of the bay and Gros Morne National Park, including Gros Morne Mountain and the Tablelands.

https://youtu.be/2WlkL6w1yd4

PORTLAND CREEK - ARCHES PROVINCIAL PARK

GPS coordinates: 50.11396, -57.66405

Arches Provincial Park is located about 17 km north of Gros Morne National Park. As its name suggests, you’ll find natural rock arches here, formed by the action of the tides.

There’s no entry fee. A staircase leads down to the shoreline, where a massive rock features a series of natural arches. The spot is really pretty.

However, be careful when approaching—the beach is made up of lots of pebbles that can roll underfoot.

Please note that climbing the arches is prohibited. That said, we did see someone walking on top of them during our visit.

There’s also a picnic area in the park. Camping is not allowed.

https://youtu.be/rk286AKOZWc

PORT AU CHOIX NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE - CARIBOU SPOTTING

GPS Coordinates: 50.69859, -57.41042 Point Riche Lighthouse

On our way to L'Anse aux Meadows, we made a little detour to the Point Riche Lighthouse in Port au Choix National Historic Site, hoping to see some caribou.

We’d heard there was a herd of caribou living in the area.

We parked our car in the lot and set off to look for them. It’s worth mentioning that their territory is huge.

We took a short walk along the coastal trail heading toward Philip's Garden. However, even scanning the distance, we couldn’t spot any sign of them.

We headed back toward the lighthouse and walked along the opposite side of the coastline. What a surprise it was to see about a dozen caribou lounging in the sun by the ocean!

Two more caribou were grazing in the nearby field.

We took the opportunity to get a little closer (while keeping a reasonable distance) to observe them better.

They weren’t bothered by our presence at all—in fact, they completely ignored us.

Important note: This historic site is primarily an archaeological area where you can visit ancient burial sites and settlements dating back over 6,000 years.

The visitor center has many artifacts from that era.

Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/nl/portauchoix

https://youtu.be/EKhkVA3LOok

FLOWER'S COVE - THROMBOLITE HIKING TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 51.28796, -56.73945 Trailhead

Flower's Cove is a municipality located on the west coast of Newfoundland. It's famous for the thrombolites found along the shoreline.

Thrombolites are very rare fossilized rocks. They are the remains of bacteria and algae that formed over 650 million years ago.

The only places in the world where you can see them are in Flower's Cove and Western Australia.

We hiked a roughly 2 km round-trip trail along the coastline to discover these natural curiosities.

The trail first takes you to the Marjorie Bridge, which dates back to the early 20th century. This red-roofed pedestrian bridge is quite visible and points the way to the thrombolites.

The trail follows the coastline, and distances are marked at several points along the way.

These formations, which can reach several feet in diameter, strangely resemble small loaves of bread. Some structures are intact, while others have fractured.

When you think about it, it's fascinating to realize that living organisms absorbed a large amount of minerals from the water to create these amazing rock formations.

https://youtu.be/zTIjX0Rsg6I

ST. ANTHONY - FISHING POINT HEAD - DAREDEVIL TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 51.35670, -55.56029 Trailhead

The Daredevil Trail starts near the lighthouse in Fishing Point Municipal Park. There are several parking spaces available along the road.

The trail isn’t very long (+/- 1.2 miles round trip). It leads to the top of the Fishing Point Head cliff. However, to reach the summit, you’ll need to climb a staircase with 476 steps.

We enjoyed some lovely viewpoints along the way up.

At the top of the stairs, you can continue the hike by turning right or left for stunning views of St. Anthony village and harbor, the ocean, and Fishing Point Municipal Park.

Depending on the season, you might even spot icebergs, whales, and seabirds.

When we were there, the wind was strong at the top of the cliff. We came prepared for that.

We went back down the stairs and took another small trail that led us to an oceanfront lookout.

This lookout offers a view of the turquoise waters and the rugged coastline shaped by erosion.

We watched a beautiful bird of prey soaring above us for a long time, despite the strong winds. It eventually dove quickly toward the ground, probably to catch its next meal.

https://youtu.be/UQPdYPeuvR8

L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

GPS coordinates: 51.59656, -55.53347

The archaeological remains at L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.

Excavations at this site have determined that crews of Scandinavian explorers lived here over 1,000 years ago.

At the entrance to the site, a sculpture titled "The Meeting of Two Worlds" was created by Luben Boykov, an immigrant to Newfoundland, and Richard Brixel, a Swede.

This sculpture represents the idea of "closing the loop"—commemorating the moment when Europeans and Indigenous peoples of North America, both descendants of the first humans, migrated to this place and met for the first time.

Several trails wind through the site, including one that leads to a small encampment of sod-covered wooden buildings.

You can enter these buildings to see original artifacts from that era. Costumed Viking interpreters are on-site to share insights about the explorers’ way of life.

We then took another trail that led us to the coastline, crossing a valley and offering spectacular views of cliffs, rugged shores, and peat bogs.

Along the way, we stopped to relax in Parks Canada’s famous red chairs, which face the ocean.

Before heading back to the parking lot, we climbed to the top of a rocky outcrop where iron statues of various explorers who visited long ago stand. The view from there is a stunning panoramic of the entire region.

For more information about this site, visit Parks Canada’s website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/nl/meadows

https://youtu.be/wiN9-GHFx8k

I invite you to read the second travel journal about Newfoundland. This one covers several hikes in Gros Morne National Park. Here’s the link:

Hikes in Gros Morne National Park