Just two places in the world give people a chance to see Earth’s mantle fully exposed: Macquarie Island in the South Pacific and the Tablelands in Newfoundland.
Undoubtedly the most accessible of these two is the Tablelands, located in Newfoundland’s spectacular Gros Morne National Park. This Mars-like setting gives visitors a chance to experience something truly unique. Hiking through the Tablelands is one of those experiences that is hard to erase from your memory.
If you’re road-tripping Newfoundland and looking for some guidance on how to best experience the Tablelands, keep reading for answers to your questions.
How to Get to Gros Morne’s Tablelands
The Tablelands are located inside Gros Morne National Park on the west coast of Newfoundland.
Getting to Gros Morne and the Tablelands obviously depends on where you’re coming from. Deer Lake Regional Airport, the closest airport to the park, is a 2-hour drive to the Tablelands trailhead. From the closest town, Rocky Harbour, it takes around 45 minutes. St. John’s is a distant 7 or 8 hours away.
The roads in the area (and across Newfoundland as a whole) are well-paved and easy to navigate, and the drive itself is part of the experience. Think winding coastal views, vast views of the distant horizon, and the kind of scenery that makes you keep wanting to pull over for photos.
There’s a clearly marked parking lot at the Tablelands Trail. In peak summer months it can get a bit crowded, especially on sunny days, so arriving earlier in the morning is your safest bet.
If you’re doing a full Newfoundland road trip like we did, the Tablelands are an easy add-on between some of the other best hikes within Gros Morne like the Green Gardens Trail.
How Long Is the Tablelands Hike?
The Tablelands hike is straightforward and mainly flat. It’s about 4.9 miles round trip with very little elevation gain. The first section is a wide gravel path with interpretive signs that explain the geology of the area. Much of the hike is on a maintained boardwalk above the rocks.
The trail is one of the easiest hikes you’ll find within Gros Morne, though adventure seekers can go off-trail and hike up to the peaks above the official trail to get more of a workout and additional views. Beyond the marked trail, you’ll notice side paths and open terrain where people wander further into the orange rock landscape.
If you stick to the main route, you can complete it in about 2 hours at a relaxed pace with time for photos.
What Else Is There to Do Around the Tablelands?
Hiking is really the lone activity in the Tablelands. If you’re like us, you can sit on the rocks in the creek near the end of the trail and enjoy some drinks and snacks if the weather permits. We were fortunate to get amazing weather on the day of our Tablelands hike (I think it was 70F and sunny… which is RARE around these parts).
However, there’s a lot more to explore in the rest of Gros Morne.
The park is packed with coastal trails, fjords, waterfalls, and moody mountain views. A 1-hour drive away is Western Brook Pond, where you can take a boat ride through massive fjords carved by glaciers.
You can also hike up the tallest point of Gros Morne Mountain if you’re looking for a serious leg workout. It’s a challenging, 10-mile round-trip trek, but the views at the top are worth every step. A more doable hike for all levels of hikers is the Green Gardens Trail, my favorite hike in all of Newfoundland. The trailhead is only about 30 minutes from the Tablelands.
If you’re more in the mood for something relaxed, head to the nearby communities of Woody Point or Norris Point to soak in the small-town Newfoundland charm.
Considerations Before Visiting the Tablelands and Gros Morne
Before you lace up your hiking boots, here are a few things worth keeping in mind.
Be Prepared for Weather to Change Quickly
Newfoundland weather has a personality of its own. It can be sunny one minute and foggy or windy the next. The Tablelands are very exposed, which means there’s little shelter from wind or rain.
Bring an extra layer, even if the forecast looks nice. A light rain jacket and an extra sweater can make a huge difference in comfort. You can always shed it and wrap it around your waste if the sun is out.
Bring Water and Snacks
There are no services at the trailhead. No cafes, no water stations, no snack stands. So bring what you need for the hike, especially on warm days. The open terrain means you’re fully exposed to the sun, and it can feel hotter than expected.
Gas Up Your Car Before Heading There
Gas stations are few and far between on the west coast of Newfoundland. Do not assume you’ll pass one right when you need it. Fill up your tank in larger towns like Deer Lake or Rocky Harbour before heading deeper into the park.
Respect the Land
This landscape has been around for hundreds of millions of years. Most do a good job of picking-up after themselves, as trails throughout Newfoundland were generally totally free of any sort of litter. With that in mind, pack out all trash and as with any hike, leave it exactly as you found it so the next traveler can have the same amazing experience.
