Newfoundland Birds

Currently, the well known modern version of the East Coast Trail extends as far south as Bear Cove and Cappahayden. Further south our area has an excellent variety of mostly un-maintained but still walkable trails. We caution that these are NOT official trails and the areas they pass through are largely uninhabited. Trails might be composed of tracks made by sheep walking along the cliff edge, the remnants of old roads, the rail bed of the old Newfoundland Railway, portions of ATV trails, or in some cases, walking on Route 10 where no known trail exists.

Delineation of a trail system through the southeast Avalon is a work-in-progress. As far as we know only the Railway Trail between Biscay Bay and Trepassey has been identified. It is included here. At no point have we made any serious attempt at providing detailed information. For more information it would be best to contact the East Coast Trail Association and talk to local people before you start out.

An outline of the possible trails one could hike is briefly outlined here. Currently with accommodation limited and no public transport, day hikers are best to leave a vehicle at each end of planned sections. Multiple day hikers will almost certainly have to to bring their food and camp. For the most part unformed, but attractive camping sites are available in most places. Trail distances are estimated. Carrying a topo map is essential. Weather is always a factor in Newfoundland. Make sure you are properly equipped, bring lots of food and water even on short trips. Black flies can be a problem especially inland, away from coastal breezes. Fortunately a lot of the sections listed are largely coastal.

Cappahayden to Chance Cove (Parking Lot)

Estimated distance: 20-25 kms

We know little about this section; the first part consists of an old road leaving the southeast corner of the hamlet; roads like this usually are usually extended by an ATV trail and then you may have to walk across county; it will be necessary to wade the small watercourse, Chance Cove River, at its mouth. No food or accommodation is available.

Camping is necessary.

Chance Cove to Cape Race:

Estimated distance: 20 Kms

The beginning of the old East Coast Trail is about 1 km up the road west of the parking lot, best found on a topo map. On our last visit the trail had considerable obstructions with deadfall and serious overgrowth; hikers will have to ford the small Clam Cove River; climbing out of Clam Cove valley you will find an ATV track along the coast to the Cape. No food or accommodation.

Camping required.

Cape Race to Portugal Cove South (PCS)

Estimated distance: 21 kms

One has to register and pay for the walk to the Mistaken Point Fossil site. Ideally, once registered, hikers can walk the road past Long Beach to the trail-head (estimate 8 Kms), do the 3-4 hour tour and get a lift to the PCS Visitor Centre, or continue of their way by foot.

Pre-arranged accommodation is available at Drook (a further 12 Kms); accommodation and limited food is available at PCS (a further 6 Kms).

Portugal Cove South to Biscay Bay

Estimated distance: 7 Kms

The old railway line mostly follows the highway into the east end of Biscay Bay then take the old rail kine, a short gravel road on the right that branches off to the north just before the road turns down into Biscay Bay. An old railway bridge crosses Biscay Bay River and into the hamlet. No food or accommodation is available in Biscay Bay.

Camping required. People usually camp near the old bridge. No services provided.

Biscay Bay to Trepassey

Estimated distance: 6 Kms

See the article in this section. Trepassey has the best variety of accommodation on the southern shore. A restaurant is located in the Edge of Avalon Inn. Food and provisions are available at Trepassey Variety. Ask about official and unofficial camp sites available about town. Most people camp at the former campground on Riverside Road, Northwest Trepassey.

No services at this site.

Trepassey to Cape Pine:

Estimated distance: 30 Kms

You can take the ATV trail at the end of Martin’s Lane, just east of Edge of Avalon Inn, north to Northeast Brook. At Northwest Brook you will have to walk Route 10 to Riverside Road just past the Health Clinic at Daniel’s Point. Cross the old bridge and take Northwest Circle back to Route 10. Walk Route 10 to Fish Plant Road, up Doran’s Lane back to Route 10. There is no known trail across the barrens to Cape Pine. Walk Route 10 and take St. Shott’s Road to Cape Pine Road and about 10 1kms to Cape Pine.

No food or accommodation at Cape Pine.

Cape Pine to St. Shotts

Estimated distance: 8-10 kms

The trail runs west from Cape Pine, skirts nearby Arnold’s Cove and Arnold’s Cove River, and up a steep bank then left to the coast. There is a lovely easy-to-follow scenic coastal trail all the way to St. Shotts. Accommodation and food is available at the Keeper’s Kitchen on the eastern outskirts of St. Shotts. St. Shotts also has a small variety store. Day trekkers are advised to park one car at Cape Pine and another at St. Shott’s fog horn station.

St Shotts to Peter’s River

Estimated distance: 20 Kms

You can cross the St. Shotts River via a bridge and take the gravel road up the hill towards the old Emerald Turf Farm. Traversing along the coast to the west can be very difficult. It is also very remote. Little is known of this route. It is possible to turn off the gravel road at the top of the hill and walk north up the ATV trail which follows up the west side of the valley there, and walk cross-country to Route 10. From there you can walk Route 10 into Peter’s River. At the top of the hill, overlooking Peter’s River, is a gravel road that leads to a former bar and lounge. You can follow this road past the lounge and take an ATV trail down the hill to join Route 10 just north of Peter’s River.

There is no accommodation in Peter’s River. Food is available at the hardware store.

Peter’s River to St. Vincents

Estimated distance: 3-4 Kms

You may be able to walk along the coast here and descend to walk the beach all the way into St. Vincents. If Holyrood River is flowing i to the sea take the road bridge across the river. If the outlet is blocked by gravelyou can walk the beach all the way at St Vincents.

Accommodation is available. At this time it is not known if food can be procured in the village.

Further Trails

A list of trails is below. Details will be coming soon.

Renews

1. Bear Cove Point Road (walk the whole of the gravel road to the light 3.5 kms and back)
2. East Coast Trail: Bear Cove Point to Renews (see East Coast Trail material)

Chance Cove Provincial Park

Chance Cove Park Coastal Trail (from parking lot walk over grassy knoll towards the beach then walk south about 2 kms south on a fairly rugged coastal track until its disappears, and back)

Cape Race Road

1. Mistaken Point Trail (only guided tours available, 3.5 kms each way)
2. The Rookery Trail (just east of The Drook: short .5 km walk to seabird colony)

Trepassey and Biscay Bay

1. Newfoundland Railway Trail: Trepassey to Biscay Bay or reverse 5 kms one way. See The Railway Trail
2. Trepassey: Station Road and across the Single Beach at south end of Fannys Pond east 2 kms to Stoney River and then return
3. Northwest River Trail Trepassey (north from end of NW Circle road) up west side of NW Brook; walk the first 2 kms until track goes disappears into deep water and return; wet in places, wellies a good idea here)

West Trepassey Barrens-Cape Pine

Cape Pine Road off the St. Shotts Road (drive and walk sections of the gravel road through the scenic barrens)

St Vincents

St Vincent's Beach and Holyrood Pond (from parking lot walk to beach then west to St Vincent’s and back along foreshore of Holyrood Pond, about 4 kms round trip)