East Coast Trail
The East Coast Trail is a long-distance coastal footpath located in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a developed trail over long, creation of which began in 1994. It is made up of 26 linked wilderness paths and passes through more than 30 communities. It was named one of the best adventure destinations by National Geographic in 2012 and is extended and improved yearly.
Maintained by the East Coast Trail Association and located primarily on public lands, the trail follows the east coast of Newfoundland along the Atlantic Ocean. The path passes through many small coastal outports in the bays of the Avalon Peninsula. The trail runs from Topsail Beach, north to Cape St. Francis, then south through St. John's, and continues south as far as Cappahayden. It is intended that the trail will eventually be extended to Trepassey in the south and across to Placentia in the west.
The trail also passes several National historic sites, including Signal Hill, St. John's, Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America, and Ferryland, the site of the 17th-century Colony of Avalon. It also passes through La Manche and Chance Cove Provincial Parks. There are seasonal views of icebergs, birds, whales, other marine and plant life, and eight historic lighthouses along the path. The individual sections of the trail range in hiking time from a few hours to a full day; there are some designated camping spots along the trail, though most walkers use local accommodation.
. The ECT will eventually go along this section of the coast
History
The Trail officially began in 1994 "when a group of hiking enthusiasts started the construction of a coastal trail" that would make use of existing traditional trails that linked local communities along the coast of the Avalon Peninsula. The following year the East Coat Trail Association was incorporated and it was subsequently was registered aa charity. The initial plan "was to build and maintain" a long distance coastal footpath from Topsail Beach to Trepassey and in 1997 the Association obtained funds from the Federal Government to develop this 220 km trail. In 2001 this trail was officially opened. Subsequently, the route has been extended from St. John's, with the last section between Topsail Beach and Portugal Cove, now walkable and due for final upgrading this summer.The final goal is "540 km of coastal and inland trail", which will include the completion of the trail between Capperhayden and Treppassey, and side trails from
Ferryland, namely the 90 kilometres D'Iberville Trail, crossing the Avalon Wilderness Reserve from Ferryland to Placentia, connecting Lord Baltimore's Colony of Avalon to Castle Hill, Placentia and the 30 kilometres Masterless Men Path, an inland route stretching all the way to the Butterpot, linking Ferryland and Renews.
The D'Iberville Trail is named after the French explorer and soldier Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. The Masterless Men trail takes its name from "a legendary outlaw society (fl late 18th, early 19th centuries... men escaping press gangs, Royal Navy deserters and runaway indentured servants from Newfoundland fishing plantations who fled inland to escape their harsh life.... said to have inhabited the wild Butter Pot barrens of the Avalon Peninsula".
Route
All timings are for a one-way hike.Topsail Beach to St John's
The trail runs mainly along the southern coast of the Avalon Peninsula, but initially, as far as Cape St. Francis, the direction is northerly.Long Shore Path
A moderate to difficult path that takes 6 to 8 hours.
This path has been opened and is scheduled for completion by August 2020. It passes through St. Thomas, St. Philips, and Beachy Cove. Regular ferry service to Bell Island
from Portugal Cove.
Piccos Ridge Path
A 14.5-kilometre strenuous hike on high, open ground, of 7–8 hours. This path is considered undeveloped with minimal structures. The path has been cut and signed. There are long stretches of exposed trail so caution is advised. Exercise caution in all areas, especially on the steep north slope of Black Cliff.
White Horse Path 18.2 km
A strenuous hike, 8–10 hours. This is still an undeveloped path with steep ascents and descents and wetland crossings, so caution is advised. Wilderness Patch Brook campsite.
Biscan Cove Path
A hike, of moderate difficulty, about 2–4 hours. The route can be challenging with steep hills.
Stiles Cove Path
A hike of moderate difficulty. It takes 5–7 hours to complete. There are various access point. Swimming and picnic areas.
Father Troy's Trail
An easy hike, 2–4 hours, that follows the old cart road between the two communities and is "one of the few old roads on the Avalon to have retained its pre-automotive character". It features a stony beach, Tappers Cove wharf and mural and the Beamer, a rock formation. There is a less difficult inland alternatives at Church Cove.
Silver Mine Head Path
A easy hike, of 1–2 hours. Features Middle Cove beach park and views to Torbay point and Flatrock.
Cobblers Path
A hike of moderate difficulty, that takes 3–4 hours. It is a popular, partially boarded hike that features "The Cobbler", the remains of a Pinetree Line radar station and seasonal whale watching.
Sugarloaf Path
A hike that is at times difficult and takes 3–5 hours. It has varied terrain and features Sugarloaf Head and rock formations. It also has a view of St. John's and Quidi Vidi.
City of St. John's: Quidi Vidi to Fort Amherst
The official ECT map shows a route through St John's via Cuckold's Cove, Cabot Tower, Signal Hill and The North Head Trail to The Battery. In addition The Grand Concourse Trailway system offers a choice of possible routes to Downtown St John's. From St John's to Fort Amherst, the ECT map again offers guidance. The route goes around the harbour, with a short-cut across a bridge across from the Railway Coastal Museum. Amongst the attraction's found in St Joh's are boat trips to view icebergs, and whales; The Rooms; Quidi Vidi Lake; Memorial University's Botanical Garden; the Johnson Geo Centre, a geological interpretation centre located on Signal Hill; historic Downtown, including the Basilica, St John's and Anglican Cathedral, St John's. There is also the Grand Concourse's extensive network of hiking trails within the city, and around its lakes, along its rivers, and through other open spaces.
St John's to La Manche
The road connecting the settlements running south from St. John's – Route 10 – is known as the Irish Loop, because the communities were mainly sealed by Irish immigrants.Deadmans Bay Path
A moderate to difficult route that takes 5–8 hours. There are path features side trails that can increase distance and time. There are steep ascents and descents. The route passes the Fort Amherst lighthouse, the former settlement of Freshwater, and a barachois with remains of the Vasco d'Orey shipwreck. The Nature Conservancy of Canada has a reserve at Freshwater. There are also seasonal swimming holes, berry grounds and bird nesting views. There are side trails to this path from Shea Heights and the Cape Spear Road.
Cape Spear Path
A path of moderate difficulty that takes 4–6 hours. The trail includes side trails. The path varies in terrain and features a nature conservancy area, Cape Spear National Historic Site, a lighthouse, a museum, and whale watching. The lighthouse Cape Spear is Newfoundland and Labrador’s oldest surviving lighthouse and "has been restored to its 1839 appearance and visitors are able to see what it would have been like for a lighthouse keeper and his family to live there in the mid-19th century"..
Motion Path
Walk through the two communities to the start in Petty Harbour. A that is moderate to difficult. It takes 7–9 hours. There are steep ascents and descents on this "wild and exposed coastal trail".. A access path along Shoal Bay Road from the highway.
Spout Path
A long and hilly path that is difficult to strenuous. It takes 5–8 hours. The path passes the Spout, historic lighthouses, waterfalls, sea cliffs and sea stacks.The trail can be accessed via Shoal Road from the highway.
Mickeleens Path
A walk of easy to moderate difficulty that takes 2–4 hours. The terrain varies from woods, meadows and cliffs. The islands of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, can be seen, and there red sandstone cliffs, and views of coves, sea stacks, gulches.
In season there are boat trips from Witless Bay and Bay Bulls to view icebergs, whales, and the seabird colonies on the island's offshore.
, part of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
Beaches Path 7.1 km
An easy hike, taking 2–3 hours. It is a shoreline walk with mild elevation changes and there are a picnic area, and Mobile Beach. Witless Bay Ecological Reserve lies offshore.
Tinkers Point Path 5.0 km
A easy hike that takes 2–3 hours. There is beach access, picnicking, and seasonal bird and whale watching.
La Manche Village Path
A, easy hike that takes 2–3 hours. It is a relatively flat path though the woods that passes through La Manche Provincial Park, across a suspension bridge and, offshore, the islands of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve can be seen. The Reserve contains North America´s largest Atlantic puffin colony. and the world's second-largest colony of Leach's storm-petrels. access trail from the highway.
La Manche to Capperhayden
Flamber Head PathA, moderate to difficult route that takes 6–9 hours. The wooded path passes through the resettled village of La Manche. The village was abandoned following the destruction caused "by a tidal wave in 1966". This destroyed the suspension bridge linking the community with Bauline East. There is waterfalls and wilderness camping and seabird and seasonal whale watching. A access trail from the highway.
Brigus Head Path
This route is of moderate difficulty and takes 2–4 hours. It features Hares Ears rock formation at Hares Ears Point.
Cape Broyle Head Path 19.4 km
A long route that is difficult to strenuous and takes 6–8 hours. A hilly hike has stream crossings. It features a sandy beach, twisted rock formation, campsite and views of Ferryland's lighthouse.
Caplin Bay Path 5.6 km
A easy hike of 2–3 hours. A wooded walk with meadows and a section of elevated, old railroad track, and beaches and ocean views. There are side trails to Ferryland harbour and lighthouse.
Sounding Hills Path CLOSED
This is a hike of easy to moderate difficulty. It takes 2–4 hours. The path goes through woods and along a stretch of Spout River. It passes close to the Colony of Avalon, National Historic archaeological site and interpretation centre, an old stone church, museum, tea room and dinner theatre.
Mudder Wet Path
A easy hike that takes 1–2 hours, It is a peaceful walk through the woods with views of tidal estuaries and waterfalls.
Spurwink Island Path 20.4 km
This a long challenging hike that takes 7–9 hours. There are views of Ferryland lighthouse, Berry Head sea arch and there is a wilderness campsite on the path.
Bear Cove Path Kingman's Cove and Renews)
A hike of moderate difficulty. It takes about 4–6 hours. There are two historic sites, a settlement, lighthouse, and seasonal berry grounds.
Island Meadow Path
A hike of moderate difficulty that takes 4–6 hours, that is primarily made up of woodlands and headlands, and there are views of Renews Island.
Cappahayden to Trepassey
Not yet developedCappahayden to Trepassey via Chance Cove, Cape Race Lighthouse, Portugal Cove South and Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve.
Cappahayden to Chance Cove Provincial Park is undeveloped and includes gravel road, rough trail, moose path, bush-whacking, trackless bog, and deep river crossings. Chance Cove Provincial Park is a provincial park located approximately south of Renews-Cappahayden. Chance Cove was once the site of a small settlement of approximately 50 people in the mid-19th century, but it "was abandoned between 1884 and 1891 following a series of disastrous years in the fishery"..
Chance Cove to Cape Race is another difficult undeveloped, unmarked route, especially the middle section.
Cape Race to Trepassey. There is a road between Cape Race, Portugal Cove South, and Trepassey that passes Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve a wilderness area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reserve is home to the Mistaken Point Formation, which contains one of the most diverse and well-preserved collections of Precambrian fossils in the world. Ediacaran fossils discovered at the site constitute the oldest known remnants of multicellular life on Earth.
Portugal Cove South is from Cape Race.
Accommodation
There are on longer paths and campsites within Provincial Parks.For B&B, etc. see:
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Transportation
Cape Spear.
Natural Environment
Landscape
The Avalon Peninsula has over 2,500 kilometres of coastline, much of which rises abruptly from the sea and is indented with numerous bays and inlets.The landscape consists of forest, heathlands, bogs, fens, marshes, many large rivers and numerous ponds.