Epic Coast of Newfoundland

Day 1: Arrive St. John's
Day 2: Quidi Vidi Loop, 5 - 7.5 mi. (9 - 12 km) 
Day 3: Spurwink Island Path, 10 mi. (16 km) 
Day 4: La Manche to Brigus South, 10 mi. (16 km) 
Day 5: Cape Spear - Petty Harbour, transfer to St. John's, 6.3 mi. (10 km) 
Day 6: Official end of the tour

This itinerary may change at any time due to inclement weather, forces of nature, and other circumstances beyond our control.

Day 1: Arrive St. John's
Welcome to the windy, colorful, and boisterous capital of Newfoundland. You will be met at St. John's Airport and transferred to your charming B&B in the center of town.  Please be sure to advise your flight details well in advance so we can coordinate your transfer. Once you are checked in, you can 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.

Preferred accommodation: The Narrows Hotel

Day 2: Quidi Vidi Loop, 5 - 7.5 mi. (9 - 12 km) 
Technically today’s loop is not part of the East Trail, but it’s too beautiful to miss. You 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. 

Preferred accommodation: Belle Maison Dine & Dream
Elevation: +/-190m/623ft)
Average time on the trail: 3 - 4 hrs

Day 3: Spurwink Island Path, 10 mi. (16 km) 
If there’s a single photo of your trip that will stop people in their tracks, it will be the massive sea arch at Berry Head located on the Spurwink Island Path section of the trail. Chunks of the stratified archway continue to fall to the ground below, while the reflecting ocean window is sublime on a summer day. You have the option of hiking the full distance from your accommodation north to Aquaforte or to do an out-and-back hike to the archway from your accommodation. Both options result in similar hiking distances, but the latter (out and back) route avoids the north section, which is a rugged hike through dense forest with few coastal views. (B, L, D)

Preferred accommodation: Belle Mason Dine & Dream
Average time on the trail: 6 - 9 hours

Day 4: La Manche to Brigus South, 10 mi. (16 km) 
Today, sparkling turquoise waters and a cliffside boardwalk await you at La Manche Provincial Park. The 50-metre/164-foot long swaying La Manche suspension bridge is another highlight of the East Coast Trail, crossing a tranquil cove that once serviced a long-abandoned fishing village. You’ll continue south along the Flamber Head Path, one of the more remote, underrated sections of the ECT. The trail rolls over wooded hills, headlands, and cliff-faces with sweeping coastal views, including the dominant headlands of Cape Neddick and Flamber Head, concluding at your pick-up point in the charming little harbor community of Brigus South. Here you will be picked up and transferred back to your B&B for one final home-cooked dinner. (B, L, D)

Preferred accommodation: Belle Mason Dine & Dream
Average time on the trail: 6 - 9 hours

Day 5: Cape Spear - Petty Harbour, transfer to St. John's, 6.3 mi. (10 km) 
When the sun rises each morning on mainland North America, rays strike the dramatic, wind-pummeled coast of Cape Spear first. After breakfast, you are shuttled to 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. Arriving early, 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. Bring layers, the continent’s edge is often windy. The return walk to Petty Harbour features board-walked bog crossings, a variety of terrains, two river crossings, and expansive views of deep swells rolling in across the Atlantic. As a final service, you will be transferred from Petty Harbour back to your central accommodations in 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. (B, L)

Preferred accommodation: The Narrows Hotel
Average time on the trail: 4 - 6 hours

Day 6: Official end of the tour
Services end after breakfast. (B)

You will be accommodated in a combination of local bed & breakfasts and inns, chosen for their convenient locations, local character, and quality. For example, in St. Johns, depending on availability, you may be accommodated in The Narrows Bed and Breakfast, a turn-of-the-century Row House on beautiful Gower Street in downtown St. John’s. Or you may stay in the Edwardian Winsor House B and B, located in the downtown heritage district of St. John’s. On each day’s details, you will find the names of the preferred hotels. The final hotel list will be based on availability.