OUR FAVOURITE HIKES IN GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK, NEWFOUNDLAND: BEGINNER TO ADVANCED
On Canada’s eastern coast in the province of Newfoundland & Labrador AKA “The Rock”, you will find Gros Morne National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Glacier-carved landlocked freshwater fjords, rugged coastline and desert-like tablelands come together to create a diverse and dramatic landscape. This part of the province is a hiker's paradise, offering plenty of options for all skill levels. Beyond the landscape, Newfoundland & Labrador is characterized by its incredible hospitality, friendly locals, rich culture and music, making for a well-rounded destination to visit. Prepare to step into a place unlike anywhere else in the country!
While you can experience the park year-round and do a variety of activities, mid to late summer is the best time of year for hiking here. The weather can be unpredictable, even in the summer and a lot of these hikes put you in exposed environments. Come prepared for anything and everything! As with any hike, please make sure that you have all of the essentials needed, respect wildlife and pack out what you pack in. If you’re unsure of what gear to bring and want more peace of mind try using the Packup app. Please also note that cell service is limited within the park, so download offline maps and be sure to let someone know your plans.
With all that being said let’s dive into some of our favourite hikes to help make the most of your time in the park!
Long Range Traverse (35km - 1700m / Difficult)
The Long Range Traverse is one of the best ways to experience Newfoundland's backcountry and get some of the best views within the park.
This multi-day hike (allow for 3-4 nights) should not be taken lightly. There are no marked trails for the majority of the traverse, but there are 5 campsites along the route to help you navigate and give you direction through the endless game trails cutting through dense bush and bogs. While it may be tough and exhausting at times the views will leave you speechless and totally make up for it all. The start of the trek begins by boat and takes you to a remote trailhead beginning just below one of the most iconic viewpoints, Western Brook Pond and Pissing Mare Falls (the highest waterfall in eastern North America)!
If you are unsure of your skill level but want to do this hike I'd recommend going with a guide from Gros Morne Outdoor Co. If time does not allow you to complete the full traverse it’s totally worth it to spend at least one night camping at the Western Brook Pond viewpoint to take in that jaw-dropping vista during sunset and sunrise.
A few things to note:
-You will need to hire a water taxi to get to the trailhead at the far end of Western Brook Pond.
-It’s mandatory to check-in at the park's visitor center as they only allow 3 groups per day to minimize the impact and allow you to have the best experience possible in solitude.
-Be sure to make a reservation in advance!
Gros Morne Mountain (17km - 800m / Difficult )
Hiking Gros Morne Mountain transports you to a delicate arctic environment on the flat top summit. Along the hike you’re moving through a variety of different ecosystems with unique flora and fauna, so even if you don’t make it to the top it’s worth going even half of the distance. This mountain is the second-highest peak on the island and offers great wildlife viewing opportunities and a stunning panorama of Ten Mile Pond.
Keep in mind that this trail is closed from May 1st - June 23rd for habitat consideration.
Green Gardens Trail (11km - 400m / Moderate)
Lush green fields, rolling hills, wind-swept trees and a rugged coastline await you as you start out in the barren open landscape of the tablelands, a stark contrast highlighting the park's defining landscapes. Walk along the tops of massive sea cliffs to admire the towering sea stacks and endless ocean views, and if you're lucky you may even come across some sheep.
Be sure to take the stairs down to explore the beach!
Tablelands Trail (4km - 200m / Easy)
This is a very unique hike as you get the chance to experience and walk along the earth's mantle into an alpine valley. Millions of years ago the upper mantle was thrust up above the ocean from crashing tectonic plates, exposing rock that is normally below the ocean floor. This is one of the very few places in the world where you can see and touch this part of the earth's ”soul”. Keep an eye out for some unusual rocks and plants like Newfoundland & Labrador’s provincial plant, the Pitcher Plant, a carnivorous plant that feasts on bugs lured into its trap. There are free guided interpretive hikes here courtesy of the national park in the summer months if you're looking to learn more about the geology of this zone (July 1st - September 5th).
For more information on the details and conditions of these trails please visit the Parks Canada website.
We also encourage you to visit The Leave no Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics website for more detailed information regarding their principles on how you can help protect and preserve these incredible places that we love and recreate in.
It’s not an easy task to narrow down our favourite hikes in the park but we hope this helps you plan your visit to this remarkable part of the country. Happy trails!