Newfoundland Coastal Hiking Relaxed
7 Days & 6 Nights 4.5 Read 2 reviews- Journey to the far reaches of Canada: the rugged isle of Newfoundland
- Visit colorful fishing villages steeped in rich maritime history and traditions
- Hike the acclaimed Skerwink Trail for seastack views and iceberg sightings
- Relax at unique and indulgent inns offering locally sourced seafood
- Explore the coves and coastlines of the Avalon and Bonavista Peninsulas
What To Expect
Trip Type:
Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!
Activity:
Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.
Ideal if you have an interest in:
Coastal Walking, Off the Beaten Track
Grade & Terrain
The hiking on this trip is easy to moderate. Hikes will typically take 2-4 hours, averaging 4-5 miles and up to several hundred feet of ascending and descending. Due to the nature of the itinerary, you will return to your car after each hike; therefore, you can always shorten a hike or completely skip a day of hiking if you’d like to take a day at leisure or do more sightseeing.
The hiking trails are paths on dirt, gravel, and rock – although they are maintained there is always the possibility of washed out, eroded, muddy, or loose trail conditions. For your safety and out of respect for the environment, please always stay on the trail. At times you will be on coastal trails where the forces of wind and waves have caused erosion and cliffs can be overhanging. Always obey trail signage regarding exposed areas and stay a safe distance from cliff edges.
Navigation
Navigating is easy using the Macs Adventure Navigation App. Your daily drives and hikes will be mapped in the app with GPX tracks, route notes, and turn-by-turn directions. All of these resources are available to download for offline use, which is important as cell phone and wifi service can be unreliable for parts of this tour. Written turn-by-turn driving directions are included in the app; although the drives are straightforward, you may still consider using a GPS device while in the car. You will also have 24/7 telephone support from us here at Macs Adventure.
Accommodation Information
Stay six nights in hand-picked accommodations, chosen for their indulgent comfort, authentic charm, and upscale style. Both inns provide outstanding service, warm hospitality, and include on-site restaurants serving locally sourced ingredients and homemade fare. We hope that your lodging is a memorable part of your Newfoundland experience.
As a summer destination with a short operating season, lodging in this region fills early. Booking early allows the best chance of securing your room at the inns below.
Single Rooms
This trip is based on two people sharing a room. If you’d like separate rooms, a single supplement is required. If you would like to request a twin room (same room with two separate beds), please notify us during booking so we can request this option, where available (Note: all Inn by Mallard Cottage rooms contain king beds.)
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning. Please notify us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking.
Your breakfast at Inn by Mallard Cottage includes fresh baked goods, fruit, coffee or tea. Your breakfast at Fishers’ Loft includes a full hot breakfast of rotating specials, or bacon and eggs, along with fresh baked goods, fruit, hot & cold cereals, and beverages.
One dinner is included in the price of the tour; we have booked you a seating at the Fishers’ Loft Dining Room on the first night of your stay there. This is a set menu, so be sure to give us any dietary restrictions at the time of booking. You may choose to book dinners there on subsequent nights or eat off-site.
The restaurant at Mallard Cottage can be busy, so we recommend booking a table in advance if you would like to dine on-site. St. John’s, with many outstanding eateries, is only a ten-minute drive from the inn.
All lunches and five dinners are not included. This allows you to choose from available restaurants or pack a picnic. There will be suggestions for food and drink in your route notes, and your hosts are always happy to help you decide.
Extra Nights
You may opt to add extras nights during this itinerary as there is plenty more to see, do, and hike in all three destinations. For further details and pricing, please ask us at the time of booking.
- 6 nights in boutique inns
- 6 Breakfasts, 1 Dinner
- Detailed pre-departure information pack
- Turn-by-turn route notes
- Macs Adventure Navigation App
- Donation to Hike Discovery
- 24/7 telephone support
- Travel to/from St. John’s
- Car rental
- All lunches, snacks, drinks, and five dinners
- Personal equipment
- Travel Insurance
- Car rental
- Additional nights before, during or after the trip
When To Go
There are great reasons to travel to Newfoundland throughout the hiking season! In May and June, you will have a higher chance of seeing icebergs as they are carried south on ocean currents. Puffins and whales can be spotted most frequently from mid-May to mid-September, with the whale watching season typically at its peak from mid-June. If it’s berries and warmer weather you’re after, August is a great time to visit. And lastly, if you’re looking for solitude and perfect hiking temperatures, September and October are crisp, cool, and quiet.
Availability
This tour is available from May through October. We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalized as this destination is popular in the summer months and availability is limited. You can start this tour on any day of the week. On this tour, which is a Drive & Hike, you are required to rent a car or drive to the start and finish from where you live. Rental cars can be scarce to rent at certain times of the year but especially in high season, weekends and bank holidays. Therefore we recommend that you check the car rental situation before you book or book far in advance.
Getting to the Start
Fly into and out of St. John’s International Airport (YYT) and rent a car on site. There are direct flights from/to many Canadian cities, as well as London and Dublin.
General Information
You will need a car for this itinerary. Either plan to drive to the trip start or fly to St. John’s, Newfoundland, and rent a car.
Visas
For US citizens traveling to Canada for less than 180 days, no visa is required. You are required to have a valid passport with a blank passport page.
For non-US citizens traveling to Canada, an electronic travel authorization (eTA) is required to enter. For more information about the eTA system, and to apply online, visit the official Canadian government website. See Entry requirements.
Trail Donation
Book a trip to Newfoundland and a $50/person donation will be given to Hike Discovery. Hike Discovery Inc. is committed to and oversees the development and maintenance of a hiking trail network on the Bonavista Peninsula. Your donation will support the outstanding work that they do.
Equipment
Our pre-departure information pack includes a detailed equipment list on what to take with you. This includes warm and cold weather gear, hiking boots, rain gear, and lots of other specifics. If you have any questions about what to take, we'd be happy to share our own top tips and advice.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance helps protect your travel investment, your belongings and most importantly you, from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip. For more information, please visit our travel insurance page.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive St. John’s Day 2: Hike Signal Hill & St. John’s 5.5 miles / 9 km Day 3: Hike Blackhead to Cape Spear Path 3.5 miles / 5.5 km Day 4: Drive to Port Rexton, visit Trinity and hike Gun Hill Trail 2 miles / 3 km Day 5: Hike Skerwink Trail & Optional Hike Fox Island Trail 4 miles / 6 km Day 6: Visit Port Union, Elliston, and Bonavista, Hike Cape Shore Trail to Cape Bonavista Lighthouse 5.5 miles / 9 km Day 7: Onward TravelBlog Articles
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