When you think of hiking in Canada, you probably think of places like the Canadian Rockies, the Pacific coast, and other mountainous regions of the west. But there’s one corner in Canada’s far northeast that has some of the best hiking the country has to offer: Newfoundland.
If you’ve come across this article, there’s a good chance you already know that Newfoundland is a underrated place to visit in general. And for hikers specifically, its incredibly diverse terrain adds to the allure.
From the rugged coastline on the eastern shore of the island, to the mountainous west coast, to the dense, rural forest in between, the topography of Newfoundland is perfect for those looking for truly unique hikes with breathtaking views.
I spent about two weeks exploring and hiking in Newfoundland. I hiked to some of the most jaw-dropping settings imaginable, from thousand-foot coastal cliffs, to fjords, to desolate beaches, and even to Earth’s mantle (the only place in North America where you can see it). It helped that I visited in the summer, the best time to visit Newfoundland.
With that said, here are the best hikes in Newfoundland from my own experience.
1. Signal Hill Loop (on the East Coast Trail) in St. John’s
This hike is the most accessible in all of Newfoundland, given the trek begins in St. John’s city center.
The Signal Hill Loop Trail first takes you through The Battery, the most photogenic neighborhood of St. John’s, with a few dozen colorful houses plopped basically on top of each other on the edge of steep cliff. The trail essentially takes you through these properties, weaving in and out of backyards which is pretty neat.
After this, the rest of the Signal Hill hike parallel’s St. John’s Harbour and an area of water known as “The Narrows,” where the harbour opens up to the Atlantic. It’s pretty awesome that a hike this good is so close to the capital city. Once you exit The Battery, it feels as if you’re miles and miles away from civilization.
Once you summit the small mountain, you’re rewarded with incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean. Looking back, you can see the entire city of St. John’s.
The Signal Hill – St. John’s Loop is part of the famous East Coast Trail, which spans 250 kilometres along Newfoundland’s east coast. It’s very popular for expert hikers for multi-day or weeks-long hikes.
This was my first hike in Newfoundland, and definitely one of the most memorable. It’s a must-do if you’re going to be visiting St. John’s.
Hike Time: 2 hours
Distance: 3.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
2. Sugarloaf Path (on the East Coast Trail) in Quidi Vidi
Sometimes, the very best hikes are the ones you do spontaneously.
That’s exactly what happened when we decided to hike the mountain next to the small fishing village of Quidi Vidi after our dinner to walk off all the seafood we consumed.
Quidi Vidi is a neighbrhood of St. John’s, meaning anybody visiting the capital city needs to prioritize hiking the Sugarloaf Path. This section of the East Coast Trail straddles the coastline along the edge of the cliff faces. The Sugarloaf Path is Newfoundland hiking at its finest and one of the best hikes you’ll find in Newfoundland.
Admittedly, we didn’t hike the path in its entirety, as it started raining when we reached the top of the mountain and began walking along the coastline. However, the dark clouds and sprinkles of rain as the sun set actually added to the experience. Think something out of an Agatha Christie novel (minus the gruesome murders). To be fair, you can get a lot out of this hike without completing it, as once you reach the top, you’re going to be seeing some of the same views for the next hour as you hike along the cliff edges before looping back.
The trail starts right in the center of little Quidi Vidi, which is worth spending time in before or after your half. Check out the Quidi Vidi Brewery and The Inn of Olde, the lone pub in town. And say hi to Linda, the owner, for me!
Hike Time: 4 hours
Distance: 5.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet
Difficulty: Medium to Hard
3. Green Gardens Trail in Gros Morne National Park
If you could only do one hike in Newfoundland, it has to be the Green Gardens Trail in Gros Morne National Park. Not to be overly hyperbolic, but this is up there for my favorite all-time hikes.
The reason for this is how quickly the landscapes change during rhe hike. The Green Gardens Trail begins in wide open rocky flatland. Quickly, however, you traverse downhill into lush green coastal grass and forests. Then, you make your way back uphill before the trees open up to wide-open coastal cliffs and beaches. Herds of sheep roam these cliffs during the summer months and won’t be afraid to approach you.
It’s worth bringing food and drinks to enjoy a meal by the sea with a view. If the weather is good, it’ll be that much more difficult to turn around because you’ll just want to take in the views forever. I still daydream about hiking the Green Gardens Trail. The hikes of Western Newfoundland are stunning, and the Green Gardens hike is just one example.
Hike Time: 3 hours
Distance: 6.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,174 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
4. Tablelands Trail in Gros Morne National Park
The most unique hiking trail in Newfoundland has to be the Tablelands Trail, also part of Gros Morne National Park. This section of the park is the only place in North America where you can see Earth’s mantle fully exposed.
This comes as no surprise, as the landscape is Mars-like: desolate, rocky, and brown. Some might say it looks similar to Iceland.
The Tablelands Trail is one of the easier strolls among the best hikes in Newfoundland, making it perfect for beginner or senior hikers.
We were there in early summer, when temps were unseasonably warm (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit). However, there was still some snow on the jagged peaks, and the snowmelt created a stream through the rocks in the valley below. We sat here, cooled off, and enjoyed a couple drinks taking in the unusual setting. The Tablelands hike is another must-see for everyone traveling to Gros Morne and the western coast of Newfoundland. It only takes about two hours to complete.
Hike Time: 2 hours
Distance: 4.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 711 feet
Difficulty: Easy
5. Western Brook Pond Fjord Trail in Gros Morne National Park
A mostly flat trail, the Western Brook Pond Trail leads trekkers to Western Brook Pond, the best place to see fjords in Atlantic Canada.
Most of the walk is through marshland in between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Western Brook Pond. You’ll likely be hiking this trail in order to get to the boat launch for the fjord tour, see you’ll encounter other people on your walk.
While it’s not necessarily the best hike in Newfoundland, the Western Brook Pond Trail is going to be a necessity for visitors, because seeing the fjords at the end of the trail is a must. Since it’s entirely flat, this is another perfect Newfoundland hiking option for children, beginner hikers, and senior hikers.
Hike Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Distance: 4.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
6. Cape Blow Me Down Trail in York Harbour
If you’re in search of the best views in Newfoundland, Cape Blow Me Down Trail might take the cake.
Despite not being part of a national park or even a provincial park (this trail is oddly not part of Cape Blow Me Down Provincial Park), you could make a case that Cape Blow Me Down Trail near the small fishing village of York Harbour is the best hike in Newfoundland. It’s a perfect distance and difficulty for intermediate and expert hikers, though anybody in good shape can reach the summit of the mountain.
Speaking of the summit, when you reach the top, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of the Bay of Islands facing the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This part of Newfoundland is rarely visited, but it’s easy to get to being less than one hour from Corner Brook, the province’s 2nd-largest city. Nearby Lark Harbour has a couple beautiful, quaint cottages worth staying in for a couple of nights, too.
This hike begins right at sea level, as across the highway from the trailhead is the coastline. To start, you’ll be able to see a couple towering waterfalls. Quickly, you’ll be out of the trees and into the wide open, but steep, grassland. The setting is extremely reminiscent of Iceland, particularly facing inland as you’ll catch a glimpse of some mountain lakes in the distance that look like glacial lakes. You’ll eventually reach the peak, giving you 360-degree views. This is one of the tallest peaks in Newfoundland and the tallest within the Blow Me Down mountain range.
We hiked this in early July, and the only downside was the abundance of black flies at the top. We talked with a couple of Newfoundland residents who lived further south in the province, and they said this hike was their favorite in Newfoundland. By all means, I understand why!
Hike Time: 3 hours
Distance: 4.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
Difficulty: Hard
7. Spillers Cove Trail in Twillingate
In Twillingate, the iceberg mecca of Newfoundland, you’ll find some exceptional hiking opportunities. While there are no towering mountain ranges like the west coast, there are still massive coastal cliffs worth hiking to.
Locals will tell you that the best hike in Twillingate is Spillers Cove, and they’re not wrong. The hike only includes a 500-foot elevation gain, but the views of the Atlantic Ocean at the edge of the cliffs and Spillers Cove itself are otherworldly. If you’re lucky like we were, you’ll see icebergs and whales in the distance. You can traverse down to the cove and the small beach as well.
The weather in late June was warm enough for us to go swimming, though the 55-degree Fahrenheit water is not for the faint of heart.
In addition to being one of the best hikes in Newfoundland, Spillers Cove is also a great place for birdwatching. The wind atop the cliff-faces is typically intense, but it adds to the memorable experience.
The area around Twillingate is more like an archipelago, so you’ll see seemingly endless small islands in and around the bays. In fact, Twillingate itself is an island, off of an island, off of an island, off of the island of Newfoundland! The island has so many scenic hikes that it has its own designated trail system, Rockcut Twillingate Trails.
Hike Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Distance: 2.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Difficulty: Easy
8. French Beach Trail in Twillingate
One of the best hiking trails in Newfoundland that is doable for all skill levels is the French Beach Trail in Twillingate.
This 1-mile hike from the parking lot is mostly flat. It leads to a rocky beach in a rural part of the island, so you’re probably not going to encounter many, if any, other hikers. On a bright sunny day, it can be a great family-friendly hike and place to hang out, go swimming (if you can brave the cold water), and have a picnic.
There’s very little shade in this rocky, wide-open part of the island, so definitely bring your sunscreen, even if it’s a cool day! If you’re lucky and you’re there during the late spring or summer, you might catch an iceberg in the bay as well!
Hike Time: 15 minutes
Distance: 0.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Difficulty: Very Easy
9. Nanny’s Hole and Longpoint Lighthouse Loop in Twillingate
There’s no better place to see the sunrise than at the Longpoint Lighthouse at the northernmost tip of Twillingate. If you’re visiting Twillingate, make sure to wake up early and drive to the lighthouse, which doubles as the trailhead, to catch the sunrise above the ocean waves below.
The hike to “Nanny’s Hole” is one of the best hikes in Newfoundland because it takes you to a point where you feel like you’re on the edge of the Earth. And to an extent, you are, given that the closest landmass in the distance is Greenland.
Hike Time: 1 hour
Distance: 1.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
In-Summary: Hiking in Newfoundland
That’s a wrap for the best hikes in Newfoundland! There are surely numerous other fantastic hikes in this underrated Canadian province, but my 2-week trip meant I couldn’t hike them all. Hopefully, I can get back soon to expand on this list. But these 9-best hiking trails in Newfoundland are a good place to start, and hopefully this list will help you with planning your own trip.
There are so many reasons to visit Newfoundland, and the superb hiking is only one of them.
