In Gros Morne National Park, the Tablelands reveal a rare outcrop of the Earth’s mantle, which was pushed upward half a billion years ago. The landscape makes an extraordinary part of Earth’s history a feature of your trip. At Mistaken Point, the view reaches far back into another era: more than 100 fossil-bearing bedding surfaces contain fossils dating from 580 to 541 million years ago.

Geology and trails through the landscape

Mistaken Point is a 17-kilometre stretch of rugged coastal cliffs at the southeastern tip of the island of Newfoundland. The Rookery Trail leads to high cliffs where nesting seabird colonies and whales can be observed. This combines views of the fossil-bearing bedding surfaces with a coastal landscape where today’s wildlife also plays a role.

In Gros Morne National Park, Gros Morne Mountain offers a different kind of challenge: the strenuous ascent is a 17-kilometre day-long loop that leads from the lowlands into alpine terrain. If you’re looking for a larger trail network rather than a single summit destination, Terra Nova National Park has 80 kilometres of hiking trails. At Signal Hill National Historic Site, several trails lead to panoramic views and impressive scenery. In the summer months, whales, icebergs and seabirds may be seen in the surrounding waters.

Cultural history along the coast and at historic sites

Signal Hill is known for more than its trails: it was the site of military conflicts and technological breakthroughs. L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site offers a different historical perspective. It is the only authenticated Norse site in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies at the northern tip of the island of Newfoundland, at the end of the Viking Trail, Route 430.

At the Viking encampment in L’Anse aux Meadows, you can try blacksmithing and weaving and talk with performers portraying Vikings. Norstead, a recreated Viking trading port, lies two kilometres from L’Anse aux Meadows. Activities mentioned there include a traditional Norse game, axe throwing, spinning yarn and pottery classes; there is also a replica of the Viking ship Snorri.

Red Bay tells a different maritime story. It was an important Basque whaling port, established by whalers from Spain and France, and is now also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the visitor centre at Red Bay National Historic Site, you can see an eight-metre chalupa, which whalers used at sea to harpoon whales, as well as assembled whale bones. For a broader perspective on art, history and collections, visit The Rooms: it is the largest public cultural space in Newfoundland and Labrador and houses the province’s largest collection of artifacts, artworks and archival holdings.

Inuit homeland, water and wildlife

Torngat Mountains National Park is the traditional homeland of the Inuit of Labrador and Nunavik. Its landscape includes rugged peaks, glacier-carved fjords and waters dotted with icebergs; polar bears and caribou live there. Visitors can explore the park on guided or unguided day trips, hikes and interpretive walks. These different ways of exploring vary according to whether a tour is guided and whether it takes the form of a day trip, hike or walk.

There are also different ways to get out on the water. In Terra Nova National Park, you can explore sheltered coves and inlets by kayak, using your own, rented or guide-accompanied kayaks. If you plan to rent equipment or hire a guide, it’s a good idea to check availability before your trip. In Gros Morne National Park, you can use your own canoe or kayak on Trout River Pond and Bonne Bay. Regional guided sea kayaking tours can also lead to whale and iceberg viewing, as well as waterfalls, abandoned fishing villages and seabird colonies; wildlife encounters vary.

Seasons and regional traditions

The possible wildlife sightings at Signal Hill National Historic Site are explicitly limited to the summer months. For winter activities, the options in Newfoundland and Labrador include downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dog sledding, as well as groomed and backcountry winter trails. Individual facilities and conditions vary.

The boil-up is also part of everyday regional culture: this Newfoundland and Labrador tradition involves preparing freshly brewed drinks over an open campfire. Terra Nova National Park offers another aspect of the natural experience: the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has designated it a Dark Sky Preserve.

Discover more destinations: Corner Brook, Division No. 1, Division No. 5, Division No. 7, Red Bay, Division No. 4, Division No. 8, Division No. 6, St. John's, Division No. 9, Division No. 3, Division No. 10, Division No. 2.

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