Newfoundland - Hikes in the Eastern Part of the Island

The Eastern region is a landscape of protected coasts and bays, charming little fishing villages, exceptional scenic routes, and hiking trails in the heart of preserved habitats where many migratory bird species live, including puffins.

Stretching from Cape Bonavista in the north, where John Cabot landed in 1497, to Fortune and Grand Bank in the south, this part of Newfoundland was the first to be discovered and settled.

Visiting this region is like stepping back in time and discovering the cultural and artistic richness of this province, all at a more relaxed pace.

Source: https://www.exploretnl.ca/region-est

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

Bonavista Peninsula - Trinity - Gun Hill Trail Bonavista Peninsula - Trinity East - Skerwink Trail Bonavista Peninsula - Elliston - Puffin viewing site Bonavista Peninsula - Elliston - Spillars Cove (Cable John Cove) Bonavista - Dungeon Provincial Park Bonavista - John Cabot Municipal Park Bonavista Peninsula - Cape Bonavista Lighthouse St. Lawrence - Cape Chapeau Rouge Trail

BONAVISTA PENINSULA - TRINITY - GUN HILL TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 48.37154, -53.35919 Parking GPS Coordinates: 48.37281, -53.36006 Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 48.37677, -53.36020 Taverner's Point GPS Coordinates: 48.37003, -53.36211 Lookout GPS Coordinates: 48.37266, -53.36466 Summit

We hiked the Gun Hill Trail (lower and upper sections) along with the trail leading to Taverner's Point to form a loop of about 3.4 km.

The lower trail starts near the Rising Tide Theatre and first follows the coastline. Along the trail, we came across two markers indicating the direction to take for the trails leading to Gun Hill (also known as Ryder's Hill) or Taverner's Point.

We decided to take the round trip on the side trail leading to Taverner's Point. The spot is really pretty.

There are three lovely little beaches separated by rocky mounds, and we also enjoyed nice viewpoints over the town of Trinity.

We retraced our steps and continued our hike on the lower trail. It gradually climbs the hill and offers a panoramic view of Taverner's Point and the coastline.

It then crosses a forest before emerging on the opposite side of the hill. We passed by a cemetery that took us back in time with its gravestones dating back over a hundred years.

The trail leads to a gravel road that we descended to reach the main road, Trinity Road.

We quickly turned onto another gravel road that leads to the upper trail. A lookout has been built halfway along this trail.

It overlooks the picturesque little town of Trinity, and the views are truly exceptional.

A cannon, which once protected Trinity, is still present at this spot, and a bench has been installed nearby so we could rest while enjoying this absolutely stunning panorama.

We continued our climb, which turned out to be quite steep, to the top of the hill, and the wind was blowing very hard. But what incredible views at the summit! It was totally worth it!

We got a breathtaking 360° view of the entire area, including the bay, the town and port of Trinity, the Fort Point lighthouse, and the Skerwink cliffs. Wow!

https://youtu.be/TrI19uaDKsk

BONAVISTA PENINSULA - TRINITY EAST - SKERWINK TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 48.37920, -53.34029 Parking and trailhead GPS Coordinates: 48.37210, -53.32950 Lookout 1 GPS Coordinates: 48.36990, -53.32810 Lookout 2 GPS Coordinates: 48.36990, -53.33560 Skerwink Trail Lookout (accessible via a side trail) GPS Coordinates: 48.37200, -53.33800 Sam White's Cove

It seems the Skerwink Trail is one of the most famous trails in Newfoundland. It’s even been named by *American Travel and Leisure* magazine as one of the best hikes in North America.

We’ll discover it by walking this coastal trail of about 5.3 km, which starts on Rocky Hill Rd in Trinity East or on Route 230 in Port Rexton.

For our part, we started from Trinity East. The trailhead is very well marked, and there’s a detailed map of the trail at the starting point.

The route begins on a gravel path and follows the coast, where we can observe incredible geological formations, including sea erosion spurs.

We took a side trail that led us to a lookout offering a panoramic view of the ocean and the steep cliffs, at the foot of which are isolated beaches.

We returned to the main trail, which enters a dense forest. At the bottom of a staircase, my partner told me he had just seen a moose near the trail.

My heart raced! I didn’t expect to see a moose that close. It was a female. She knew we were there. We didn’t move. She approached, slowly crossed the trail, and started eating leaves.

She wasn’t alone! Two for one! Her baby, which wasn’t really a baby anymore given its size, appeared on the trail and kept its distance from us.

We waited about twenty minutes, and since they were still there, we tried to make our way through the trees, moving away from the trail. The female crossed the path and came back to our side. I bolted as fast as I could and got back on the trail. No way was I going to disturb her peace.

Once she had moved away from the trail, we finally managed to continue our hike and saw the baby watching us while still munching on leaves.

Let’s just say I looked back several times to make sure we weren’t being followed. lol

The forest we walked through is really pretty, with its stunted trees and lush ferns. The trail has stairs that make the frequent climbs and descents easier.

The trail then returns to the coastline, allowing us to discover a stunning coastal landscape of steep cliffs and isolated beaches.

It crosses different natural environments and takes us to the opposite side of the peninsula, where we have amazing views of Trinity Bay, the Fort Point lighthouse, and Sam White's Cove.

We finally arrived at the edge of Sam White's Cove beach, which offers excellent photo opportunities—the coastal scenery is just breathtaking there.

The trail then goes through a meadow and runs alongside two pretty ponds, one of which is called Farm Pond, and brings us back to our starting point.

In summary, this trail lives up to its reputation with its wonderful coastal views. However, having hiked many trails in Newfoundland, I’d say it’s not the only one offering postcard-perfect landscapes of extreme beauty. Newfoundland excels in that regard!

https://youtu.be/HHIjCePCQBI

BONAVISTA PENINSULA - ELLISTON - ATLANTIC PUFFIN VIEWING SITE

GPS Coordinates: 48.62570, -53.02010 Parking GPS Coordinates: 48.62627, -53.02029 Trailhead

On previous trips to Iceland and Mingan Archipelago National Park, we hadn’t been able to see Atlantic puffins since we visited Iceland in September and the weather was terrible on the day our excursion was scheduled in Mingan.

We got a second chance in Newfoundland because the tip of the Bonavista Peninsula is packed with spots where we can observe them up close.

The village of Elliston is one of those places. The site is free to access (donations welcome) via an 800-meter round-trip trail.

The trail leads to the edge of a rocky promontory jutting into the ocean, facing a small island where a colony of Atlantic puffins has settled.

There are thousands of them strutting around in front of us—it’s a real treat for everyone.

Several of these seabirds also come and land right near us, putting on a colorful show.

It’s no surprise that Atlantic puffins, also known as sea parrots, are so stunning. You just can’t get enough of watching them.

These small seabirds are easy to identify thanks to their bright colors.

Their plumage is black on their back, neck, nape, and wings, while it’s white on their belly, cheeks, and above their eyes.

Their eyes are ringed with red and extend into a thin black eyebrow toward the back.

Their beak is triangular, large, and very colorful. The base is dark blue surrounded by yellow, while the tip is red.

They sometimes seem a bit clumsy because their legs are quite short.

I dare you not to fall in love with these gorgeous birds!

https://youtu.be/UDjQXOnsNU8

BONAVISTA PENINSULA - ELLISTON - SPILLARS COVE (CABLE JOHN COVE)

GPS Coordinates: 48.66128, -53.06190 Parking

You can park your vehicle in the lot by the roadside and walk 400 meters to reach the coastline.

You can also drive your vehicle to the coastline, but the dirt road isn’t in great condition.

Spillars Cove and Cable John Cove are two lovely little coves separated by a rocky promontory. Actually, when you search online, the articles you find always refer to Spillars Cove. But it’s actually Cable John Cove.

I wanted to clarify this because when we arrived, these details were confusing.

Hiking trails run along the rugged coastline, offering stunning views of the coastal landscape. A beautiful marine erosion spur adds to the scenery.

However, another reason brought us here: the presence of Atlantic puffins. And they were definitely there when we visited.

We approached the edge of the cliffs and sat down to watch them. You can actually spot them in different spots around the site.

We also saw other species of seabirds.

Depending on the season, you might also see whales and icebergs here.

https://youtu.be/1zuG4ILVijo

BONAVISTA - DUNGEON PROVINCIAL PARK

GPS coordinates: 48.66700, -53.08387

Dungeon Provincial Park is located near the Bonavista Lighthouse, at the very end of the Bonavista Peninsula.

It's a day-use park with no entry fees.

Its main attraction is the dungeon. Actually, it's a sea cave that partially collapsed, creating two natural arches that form a heart shape.

A trail loops around it, and informative panels tell us about the coastal landscape surrounding Cape Bonavista, which is a perfect example of the massive erosion that has taken place over more than 600 million years on the steep cliffs along the coastline.

https://youtu.be/fkeLZoc6b3U

BONAVISTA - JOHN CABOT MUNICIPAL PARK

GPS coordinates: 48.69832, -53.08912

This memorial park, also known as Landfall Municipal Park, is located near the Bonavista Cape Lighthouse. Legend has it that this was the first stop made by the Italian explorer John Cabot in North America in 1497.

Situated along a rugged coastline, it offers stunning views of Bonavista Bay. In season, you can spot Atlantic puffins, whales, and even icebergs here.

During our visit, we only saw cormorants. However, we did spot several Atlantic puffins at the Bonavista Cape Lighthouse.

For those hiking the Cape Shore Trail or simply looking for a scenic break, this park has a picnic area.

https://youtu.be/vhnubOKLnck

BONAVISTA PENINSULA - CAPE BONAVISTA LIGHTHOUSE

GPS Coordinates: 48.70140, -53.08556

The Cape Bonavista Lighthouse was built in 1843 and is one of the oldest lighthouses in Newfoundland.

The coastal landscape is truly stunning, and several hiking trails crisscross the area, offering gorgeous views of the rugged coastline.

What’s more, it’s the perfect spot to see puffins that nest behind the lighthouse. We spotted quite a few during our visit.

Depending on the season, you might even catch sight of an iceberg or a humpback whale.

https://youtu.be/6nM73ZE4pes

ST. LAWRENCE - CAP CHAPEAU ROUGE TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 46.90689, -55.39427 Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 46.89081, -55.37544 Summit

The Cap Chapeau Rouge Trail is a 2.7 km linear trail (so 5.4 km round trip). Some sections of the trail are gravel, while others have wooden boardwalks.

The trail is really pleasant to walk because it has lots of colorful rest areas. You’ll also spot several decorative elements along the way.

Plus, the trail is lined with different flower species, including the purple pitcher plant, which is Newfoundland’s provincial flower.

When we reached the base of the hill, the fog was super thick. We decided to keep going up to the summit, hoping it would clear by the time we got there.

The short climb to the top (226 meters) is definitely more challenging—some sections are steep, and the ground is rocky. On top of that, the trail markers aren’t super visible.

Luckily, there’s a flag at the top of the hill that served as our landmark to reach the summit.

As we neared the top, the wind picked up, and the fog quickly lifted, revealing a gorgeous panorama.

We were treated to amazing views of the harbor, the village of St. Lawrence, and the stunning bay surrounded by breathtaking coastal scenery.

The wind was really strong at the summit, so we found shelter to avoid the worst gusts.

On the way back, the sky cleared completely, and we kept turning around to admire the remarkable hill—its magmatic rock and the ferns at the top turn a bright red in the fall.

https://youtu.be/LQsAw9DBlPY

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