Newfoundland Coastal Hiking Relaxed

This leisurely twin-centered tour offers short coastal hikes, visits to cultural and historic sites, and encompasses the highlights of the Avalon and Bonavista Peninsulas. If you want to experience the best of Newfoundland’s east coast, from purpose-built trails to superior accommodations, and are interested in leaving your options open for what each day will bring, this drive & hike itinerary is the tour for you.

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!

Drive and Hike | Exploration of picturesque and remarkable destinations by car combined with walks that highlight the best of a country or region.

Coastal Walking, Off the Beaten Track

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.