East Coast Trail
East Coast Trail | |
---|---|
Length | 540 km (336 mi) |
Location | Newfoundland, Canada |
Trailheads |
Near St. John's; Cappahayden |
Use | Hiking |
Hiking details | |
Trail difficulty | Easy to Strenuous |
Season | Year Round |
Started in 1994, the East Coast Trail is a long-distance footpath located in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is over 300 kilometres (190 mi) of developed trail that is made up of 26 wilderness paths and intersect more than 30 communities.[1] It was named one of the best adventure destinations by National Geographic in 2012 and grows and improves every year.[2]
Maintained by the East Coast Trail Association and located primarily on public lands, the trail traces the east coast of Newfoundland along the Atlantic Ocean. The trail passes through many small coastal towns nested in the bays of the Avalon Peninsula. The trail sections run from Portugal Cove, to Cape St. Francis, through St. John's and continues south as far as Cappahayden.[1]
Major attractions include the Spout, a natural water spout created by wave action along the rocky coast, coastal barachois formations, a natural sea arch, and a 50 metres (160 ft) suspension bridge near the abandoned community of La Manche. The trail also passes through Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America. There are seasonal views of icebergs, birds, marine and plant life and eight historic lighthouses along the path. Most sections of the trail range in hiking time from a few hours to a single day, however there are many designated camping spots along the trail for hikers who wish to use the path.[1]
Paths
Beaches Path[3]
Beaches path is a 7.0 kilometres (4.3 mi), easy hike. It should take 2β3 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Witless Bay and Mobile. It is a shoreline walk with mild elevation changes. The path features a picnic area, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve and Mobile Beach.
Bear Cove Path[4]
Bear Cove Path is a 11.6 kilometres (7.2 mi) hike of moderate difficulty. It takes about 4β6 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Kingman's Cove and Renews. The path features two historic sites, a settlement and lighthouse, and seasonal berry grounds.
Biscan Cove Path[5]
Biscan Cove Path is a 7.3 kilometres (4.5 mi) hike of moderate difficultly. It takes about 2β4 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Cape St. Francis and Pouch Cove. The hike can be challenging but offers views offshore.
Blackhead Path[6]
Blackhead Path is a 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) hike that is easy to moderate in difficulty. It takes 1β2 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located at Blackhead and Cape Spear. The path is very exposed to the weather so caution is advised. Features Cabot Tower and Cape Spear National Historic Site.
Brigus Head Path[7]
Brigus Head Path is a 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) hike of moderate difficulty. It takes 2β4 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Brigus South and Admirals Cove. Features Hares Ears rock formation at Hares Ears Point.
Cape Broyle Head Path[8]
Cape Broyle Head Path is a 18.3 kilometres (11.4 mi) hike that is difficult to strenuous, therefore experience and preparation is recommended. It takes 6β8 hours (one way) to complete, so timing is important to be off the trail before dark. The trailheads are located in Cape Broyle and Calvert. This long. hilly hike has stream crossings. It features a sandy beach, twisted rock formation, campsite and views of Ferryland lighthouse.
Cape Spear Path[9]
Cape Spear Path is a 9.3 kilometres (5.8 mi) hike of moderate difficulty. It takes 4β6 hours (one way) to complete. The trail includes side trails. The trailheads are located at Cape Spear and in Maddox Cove. The path varies in terrain and features a nature conservancy area, Cape Spear National Historic Site. lighthouses, a museum, picnic spot and seasonal berry ground and whale watching.
Caplin Bay Path[10]
Caplin Bay Path is a 5.2 kilometres (3.2 mi), easy hike. It takes 2β3 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Calvert and Ferryland. It is a wooded walk with meadow crossings and a section of elevated, old railroad track. It features beaches and ocean views. There are side trails that leads to Ferryland harbour and lighthouse.
Cobbler Path[11]
Cobblers Path is a 8.2 kilometres (5.1 mi) hike of moderate difficulty. It takes 3β4 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located at Red Cliff and in Outer Cove. The trail was formally known as Red Cliff Path. It is a popular, partially boarded hike that features The Cobbler (a five finger-like rock formation), the remains of Pinetree Line radar station and seasonal whale watching.
Deadmans Bay Path[12]
Deadman Bay Path is a 10.6 kilometres (6.6 mi) hike that is moderate to difficult. It takes 5β8 hours (one way) to complete. The path features side trails that can increase the distance and time required. The trailheads are located in St. John's, Shea Heights and Freshwater Bay. It is a coastal hike with steep ascents and descents. Features the Fort Amherst lighthouse, the former settlement of Freshwater and the balachois with rusted pieces of the SS Thetis shipwreck. There are also seasonal swimming holes, berry grounds and bird nesting views.
Father Troy's Path[13]
Fafter Troy's Path is a 8.7 kilometres (5.4 mi), easy hike. It takes 2β4 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Flatrock and Torbay. This hike is a recent addition of a historic path connecting Flatrock and Torbay.[14] It features a stony beach, Tappers Cove wharf and mural and the beamer.
Flamber Head Path[15]
Flamber Head Path is a 14.5 kilometres (9.0 mi) hike that is moderate to difficult. It takes 6β9 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located at La Manche Village and in Brigus South. It is a wooded path that features the resettled village of La Manche. There is waterfalls and wilderness camping with seabird and seasonal whale watching.
Island Meadow Path[16]
Island Meadow Path is a 10.1 kilometres (6.3 mi) hike of moderate difficulty. It takes 4β6 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located at Renews and Bear Cove. The trail is made up of primarily woodlands and headlands and features views of Renews Island.
La Manche Village Path[17]
La Manche Path is a 6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi), easy hike. It takes 2β3 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Tors Cove and La Manche Village. It is relatively flat path though the woods. The path features La Manche Provincial Park, 50 metres (160 ft) suspension bridge and Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.
Mickeleens Path[18]
Mickeleens Path is a 7.3 kilometres (4.5 mi) hike of easy to moderate difficulty. It takes 2β4 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Bay Bulls and Witless Bay. The paths terrain varies from woods, meadows and cliffs. Features Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, red sandstone cliffs, bird island and views of coves, sea stacks, gulches.
Motion Path[17]
Motion Path is a 13.5 kilometres (8.4 mi) hike that is moderate to difficult and requires the use of a 6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi) access trail. It takes 7β9 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Petty Harbour and the Goulds. There are steep ascents and descents to Motion Head and Petty Harbour.
Mudder Wet Path[19]
Mudder Wet Path is a 2.9 kilometres (1.8 mi), easy hike. It takes 1β2 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in South West River and Aquaforte. It is a peaceful walk through the woods with views of tidal estuaries and waterfalls.
Piccos Ridge Path[20]
Piccos Ridge Path is a 14.5 kilometres (9.0 mi), strenuous hike. It takes 7β8 hours (one way) to complete, therefore experience and preparation is recommended. The trailheads are located in Portugal Cove and Bauline. This path is considered undeveloped with minimal structures. The path has been cut and signed. There and long stretches of exposed trail so caution is advised.
Silver Mine Head Path[21]
Silver Mine Head Path is a 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi), easy hike. It takes 1β2 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Torbay and Middle Cove. This path is only partially developed, from Middle Cove beach to Motion River with the rest cut and signed. Features Middle Cove beach park and views to Torbay point and Flatrock.
Sounding Hills Path[22]
Sounding Hills Path is a 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) hike of easy to moderate difficulty. It takes 2β4 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Ferryland and Aquaforte. The hike goes through woods and along a stretch of Spout River. Features Colony of the Avalon archaeological site and interpretation centre, an old stone church, museum, tea room and dinner theatre.
Spout Path[23]
Spout Path is a 16.3 kilometres (10.1 mi) hike that is difficult to strenuous. It takes 5β8 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Goulds and access trail that is 6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi) long. This trail is long and hilly. This path leads to the Spout, historic lighthouses, waterfalls, sea cliffs and sea stacks. There is also the possibility of seeing bald eagles nesting.
Spurwink Island Path[24]
Spurwink Island Path is a 17.1 kilometres (10.6 mi), difficult hike. It takes 7β9 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Port Kirwan and Aquaforte. It is a long challenging hike that features views of Ferryland lighthouse, Berry Head sea arch and a wilderness campsite on the path.
Stiles Cove Path[25]
Stiles Cove Path is a 15.1 kilometres (9.4 mi) hike of moderate difficulty. It takes 5β7 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Pouch Cove and Flatrock. It is a coastal path with various access point to reduce to time of the hike. It features ocean views, swimming and picnic areas.
Sugarloaf Path[26]
Sugarloaf Path is a 8.9 kilometres (5.5 mi) hike that is moderate to difficult. It takes 3β5 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Logy Bay and Quidi Vidi Village. This path has various terrain along a coastal path. Features Sugarloaf Head and rock formations. It also has a 360 degrees view of St. John's and Quidi Vidi.
Tinkers Point Path[27]
Tinkers Point Path is a 5.1 kilometres (3.2 mi), easy hike. It takes 2β3 hours (one way) to complete. The trailheads are located in Mobile and Tors Cove. The path moves from woods to the beachside. Features beach access, picnicking, and seasonal bird and whale watching.
White Horse Path[28]
White Horse Path is a 17.5 kilometres (10.9 mi), strenuous hike. It takes 8β10 hours (one way) to complete, therefore preparation is required. The trailheads are located in Bauline and Cape St. Francis. This is still an undeveloped path with steep ascents and descends and wetland crossings.
References
- 1 2 3 "Home". www.eastcoasttrail.com. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "Best Adventure Destinations for 2012 - National Geographic". 2016-12-14. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail". Torbay. 2016-04-27. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- 1 2 "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- β "East Coast Trail Association". Retrieved 2017-04-05.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to East Coast Trail. |