by Paul Shaw, Treks & Trails Int'l co-owner
Newfoundland is affectionately called “the Rock” by its citizens due to its rocky coastline punctuated by towering seaside cliffs. A large island in the north Atlantic, east of mainland Canada, Newfoundland is characterized by small fishing villages; its vibrant capital, St. John’s; wild scenery; and some of the best hiking in North America.
Next summer, Treks and Trails International will offer 2 guided hiking trips to the Rock: one centered on the best sections of the East Coast Trail on the Avalon Peninsula, the other featuring outstanding day hikes along the Viking Trail on Newfoundland’s stunning west coast. The East Coast Trail trip runs July 5-14. Charming bed-and-breakfasts in St. John’s and Pouch Cove and comfortable cabins in Tors Cove are ideally located for access to fantastic hiking on the trail through open headlands, thick boreal forests, and quaint fishing villages. The hikes skirt several lighthouses and an array of towering sea stacks and waterfalls. Each bend in the trail promises an outstanding ocean vista where humpback whales are frequently seen. An unforgettable Zodiac raft whale watch and seabird tour is included.
The Viking Trail trip runs July 16-26. Starting with amazing hikes in the tablelands and fjords of Gros Morne National Park, we will continue north in our support van with hiking stops at Cow Head, the seldom-visited Grey Island, and the Viking outpost at L’Anse aux Meadows. Our final destination, off Newfoundland’s northernmost tip, is the wonderful Quirpon Island. Reached by Zodiac raft, the uninhabited island features miles of sea view trails and excellent accommodations in the former lighthouse keeper’s home, now a seasonal bed-and-breakfast. A scenic boat tour of the Western Brook Pond fjord in Gros Morne is included.
For both trips, luggage is transported to accommodations, so only a daypack is needed for the hikes. For 2015, Treks and Trails is donating $200 to the KTA for every KTA member who participates on a trip. An outstanding hiking vacation while supporting the KTA—what can be better?
For detailed information on these and all Treks and Trails trips, click here or call Paul Shaw, Treks and Trails co-owner (and KTA Vice-President) at 717-215-8339.