4
Introductory to Moderate

Traveler Rating

 

Activities
  • 4 days self-guided hiking
Accommodation
  • 5 nights B&B's/Inns

Price

6 daysfrom

$1650USD

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip code: ETX

Trip highlights

  • Week-long, load-free hiking along Newfoundland’s epic coast
  • Opportunities to spot whales, icebergs, bald eagles, puffins and moose
  • Discover historical and vibrant fishing villages and communities
  • Step foot on the most easterly point of North America
  • Experience Newfoundland’s famous hospitality

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 unique rock formations at Hare Ears Point and the scenic Turtle Island just offshore. Along the way, enjoy lookout points over Renews Harbour and Brigus Bight, 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 in your cozy B&B, 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.

Itinerary

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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

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 Bawdens Highland for an incredible view over the village, and St John’s in the distance. The walk back to the city follows a gorgeous coastal path, crossing the National Historic Site of Signal Hill and the Battery of St John’s Harbour. You will be met by your friendly driver around 3 pm and transferred to your beautiful B&B on the Southern Avalon, your home for the next three nights.

Meals:  B,D

Beginning with grassy meadows and mixed woods, today's path crosses numerous brooks in taking you to a fantastic lookout point overlooking The Forge. This monumental cinder block of rock regularly has high waves break over it during rough seas. This is one of many impressive lookout points to be found on the day's hike which also features views of Renews harbour, of a thriving cormorant colony nesting on Renews Island, and of more waves breaking over rocks and sea-washed ledges. Upon your return to Port Kirwan, you'll be provided another home-cooked meal as you reflect on the day's adventure.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today's trail offers a spectacular hike filled with breathtaking sights. As you make your way along the trail, you’ll be treated to stunning high cliff views that stretch out over the vast Atlantic Ocean, providing perfect vantage points to take in the rugged coastline. One of the highlights along this route is the remarkable rock formations at Hare Ears Point, a geological marvel that captivates with its unique shapes and contours. Keep an eye out for Turtle Island, a small yet scenic landmark just offshore, adding to the coastal charm of the area. If you're lucky, the waters around Brigus Bight may offer an unforgettable wildlife experience. Finback, humpback, and minke whales are known to frequent the bay, circling gracefully as they make their way through the deep waters. Their presence is always a thrilling sight for those fortunate enough to catch a glimpse. At the end of your hike, you’ll be picked up and transferred back to your cozy B&B, where you can relax and unwind after a day of exploring the beauty and wonder of Newfoundland’s coastline.

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. If you haven’t already, tonight may be the night to get ‘Screeched In’ on George Street and become an honorary Newfoundlander.

Meals:  B,L

Services end after breakfast. We hope you enjoyed your stay at 'the Rock'!

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
  • 5 nights in B&B's/inns/hotels at double occupancy with private or semi-private facilities
  • Luggage transfers (1 piece per person)
  • Navigation APP inclusive of detailed route notes and points of interest (available offline while hiking )
  • Set of trail maps (1 per group)
  • Transfers to/from trailheads as indicated in itinerary
  • Use of Garmin emergency communications device (1 per group)
  • $50 donation to the East Coast Trail Association

  • Travel to and from St. John's
  • Items of a personal nature including alcoholic beverages
  • Meals and transfers where not indicated in the itinerary
  • Travel insurance
  • Entrance fees and optional activities
  • Transfer from/to airport
  • Applicable taxes

Accommodation

Haven for hikers

Belle Maison in Port Kirwan offers a distinctive experience with accommodations tailored for hikers. Every room is equipped with a private ensuite and sufficient storage space. The snack shack is equipped with boot dryers and offers additional hiking poles. The hot tub is a revitalizing amenity, ideal for unwinding after hiking. Situated in a fishing village, our skilled host frequently prepares fresh fish and seafood.

Trail Surface

Expect diverse and often rugged terrain

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.).

Suitability

Introductory to Moderate

4

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.

Departure dates

Daily from May 15 through October

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Priceper person from

$1650USD

* All prices subject to applicable taxes

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementUSD$290
* Prices listed are per person. All prices subject to applicable taxes.

Trip reviews

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Our Expertise

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 traveling. Our entire network is highly-specialised in active travel.

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Quality services at the best price make our active trips great value for money. Having essential items included like National Park fees, 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