East Coast Trail

The East Coast Trail (ECT) is a long-distance coastal footpath located in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. This trail stretches over 336 kilometres (209 miles) and is made up of 25 linked wilderness paths that pass through more than 30 communities. It was named one of the best adventure destinations by National Geographic in 2012 and is improved and extended each year.

The trail is maintained by the East Coast Trail Association and runs along the east coast of Newfoundland, beside the Atlantic Ocean. It follows the coastline of the Avalon Peninsula, starting at Topsail Beach and heading north to Cape St. Francis, then south through the city of St. John's. The trail continues south to Cappahayden, with plans to extend it further to Trepassey and across to Placentia.

Along the way, the East Coast Trail passes several National historic sites, including Signal Hill, St. John's, Cape Spear (the easternmost point in North America, not counting Greenland), and Ferryland, where the 17th-century Colony of Avalon was located. Walkers can also enjoy views of icebergs, birds, whales, and other wildlife, as well as eight historic lighthouses. The trail has sections that take from a few hours to a full day to hike, with some spots to camp and many places to stay overnight in nearby towns.

History

The East Coast Trail started in 1994 when a group of people who love hiking began building a path along the coast of the Avalon Peninsula. By the end of that year, they had built the first 25 kilometers of the trail near St. John's. In 1995, the East Coast Trail Association was created and became a charity. By 1996, the trail had grown to 125 kilometers and reached "The Spout," a natural geyser that is a big attraction.

The plan was to build a long path from Topsail Beach to Trepassey. In 1997, the Association got money from the government to develop a 220-kilometer trail. In September 2001, 212 kilometers of the trail from Fort Amherst in St. John's to Cappahayden was officially opened, and the Association had 700 members. The trail was later extended north from St. John's. The last part between Topsail Beach and Portugal Cove was finished in 2020 with better paths and signs.

The goal is to create a 540-kilometer trail that includes finishing the path between Capperhayden and Trepassey, and adding side trails. One side trail is the 90-kilometer D'Iberville Trail, which goes through the Avalon Wilderness Reserve from Ferryland to Placentia. It connects Lord Baltimore's Colony of Avalon to Castle Hill, Placentia. Another side trail is the 30-kilometer Masterless Men Path, which goes inland to the Butterpot, linking Ferryland and Renews.

The D'Iberville Trail is named after a French explorer, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. The Masterless Men trail is named after a group of people from the late 1700s and early 1800s who escaped difficult lives and lived in the wild areas of the Avalon Peninsula.

Route

The East Coast Trail has 25 paths split into three main parts: North of St. John's; St. John's to La Manche; and the southern end from La Manche to Cappahayden. Hikers should plan their timings for a one-way hike.

Topsail Beach to St John's

The northern part of the trail follows the coast of Conception Bay near Cape St. Francis, then turns south. Even though these paths are close to the city and its suburbs, they go through wild, cliff-top areas with some steep climbs that may need ropes.

Long Shore Path (Topsail Beach - Portugal Cove) This is a 17.2-kilometre path that can take 6 to 8 hours. It goes through several small towns and has a ferry to Bell Island.

Piccos Ridge Path (Portugal Cove - Bauline) This 14.5-kilometre hike can take 7–8 hours. It is challenging with exposed areas, so care is needed, especially on steep slopes.

White Horse Path (Bauline - Cape St. Francis) This 18.2-kilometre trail takes 8–10 hours and has steep and wet parts, so caution is advised.

Biscan Cove Path (Cape St. Francis - Pouch Cove) This 7.3-kilometre path is moderate and takes about 2–4 hours. It can have steep hills.

Stiles Cove Path (Pouch Cove - Flatrock) This 15.1-kilometre trail is moderate and takes 5–7 hours. There are many places to enter, plus swimming and picnic spots.

Father Troy's Trail (Flatrock - Torbay) An easy 8.7-kilometre hike that takes 2–4 hours. It follows an old road and has interesting rock formations and beaches.

Silver Mine Head Path (Torbay - Outer Cove) A short 3.8-kilometre path, with a very easy 2.4-kilometre part, taking 1–2 hours. It has a beach park and views.

Cobblers Path (Outer Cove to Logy Bay) This 8.2-kilometre hike is popular and moderate, taking 3–4 hours. It features unique rock shapes and sometimes you can see whales.

Sugarloaf Path (Logy Bay - Quidi Vidi Village) This 8.9-kilometre trail can be tough in places and takes 3–5 hours. It shows varied landscapes including cliffs and views of St. John's.

City of St. John's: Quidi Vidi to Fort Amherst The trail shows different ways through the city, passing landmarks like Cabot Tower, Signal Hill, and The Battery. There are also parks, gardens, and museums to explore.

St John's to La Manche

The middle part of the trail follows remote coastlines and passes through small towns like Bay Bulls along Route 10, called the Irish Loop.

Deadmans Bay Path (Fort Amherst - Blackhead) This 10.6-kilometre trail is moderate to difficult and takes 5–8 hours. It has steep parts and passes old settlements and lighthouses.

Cape Spear Path (Blackhead - Maddox Cove) A 9.3-kilometre path taking 4–6 hours. It includes a historic lighthouse and chances to see whales.

Motion Path (Petty Harbour - Shoal Bay Road) This 13.5-kilometre trail is moderate to difficult and takes 7–9 hours. It has steep areas and wild coastal views.

Spout Path (Shoal Bay Road - Bay Bulls) This is the halfway point of the whole trail, a 16.3-kilometre difficult hike taking 5–8 hours. It features geysers, waterfalls, and sea cliffs.

Mickeleens Path (Bay Bulls - Witless Bay) An easy to moderate 7.3-kilometre walk taking 2–4 hours. It offers views of seabird islands and rocky cliffs.

Beaches Path (Witless Bay - Mobile) An easy 7.1-kilometre shoreline walk taking 2–3 hours with picnic spots and a beach.

Tinkers Point Path (Mobile - Tors Cove) A 5.0-kilometre easy hike taking 2–3 hours, good for beach access and bird watching.

La Manche Village Path (Tors Cove - La Manche Village) An easy 6.4-kilometre path through woods, taking 2–3 hours. It goes through an old fishing village and near seabird islands.

La Manche to Cappahayden

The southern end runs along remote headlands with long, narrow bays and small communities.

Flamber Head Path (La Manche Village - Brigus South) An 11.5-kilometre moderate to difficult trail taking 6–9 hours. It has waterfalls and spots for watching seabirds and whales.

Brigus Head Path (Brigus South - Admirals Cove) A 6.5-kilometre moderate trail taking 2–4 hours with interesting rock formations.

Cape Broyle Head Path (Cape Broyle – Calvert) A long 19.4-kilometre difficult hike taking 6–8 hours with stream crossings and sandy beaches.

Caplin Bay Path (Calvert - Ferryland) An easy 5.6-kilometre walk taking 2–3 hours through woods and meadows with ocean views and historic sites.

Sounding Hills Path (Ferryland - Aquaforte CLOSED This path is currently closed to hikers due to a dispute.

Spurwink Island Path (Aquaforte - Port Kirwan) A challenging 20.4-kilometre hike taking 7–10 hours with canyon views, waterfalls, and sea arches.

Bear Cove Path (Kingman's Cove and Renews) An 11.9-kilometre moderate trail taking about 4–6 hours with historic sites and lighthouse views.

Island Meadow Path (Renews - Cappahayden) A 10.1-kilometre moderate hike taking 4–6 hours through woodlands and headlands.

Future Extension: Cappahayden to Trepassey

Not yet developed

The trail plans to extend from Cappahayden to Trepassey through places like Cape Race Lighthouse and Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve. Some parts are still undeveloped with rough trails and deep river crossings. The Mistaken Point area has very old fossils, making it a special science site.

Accommodation

The East Coast Trail Association has six simple campsites at the middle of six longer paths. These campsites have flat spots for tents and outhouses, and they are first-come, first-serve, often filling up on weekends. The La Manche Provincial Park has campsites with full services and can be reserved. There are also informal campsites along the trail.

The trail passes through 30 communities, from the City of St. John's to small towns, offering places to stay like bed and breakfasts and guest houses near the trail. For more information, see:

• ECT Directory: Accommodations and Camping
• Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Archived

Transportation

Buses can help you get to places like Logy Bay, Quidi Vidi, and Fort Amherst along the trail. You can also take minibuses to Treppassey and Cape Spear, though the Cape Spear bus only runs during certain times of the year.

Natural environment

Landscape

The Avalon Peninsula has over 2,500 kilometres of coastline, rising quickly from the sea with many bays and inlets. The area includes boreal forest, heathlands, bogs, fens, marshes, large rivers, and many ponds.

Wildlife

The Avalon Peninsula is home to many animals. Black bears live in the area but are rarely seen. Moose, though not originally from the island, are common on the East Coast Trail. You might see their tracks everywhere. Other animals you could spot include foxes, otters, beavers, weasels, snowshoe hares (called rabbits by locals), seals, and whales. Caribou can sometimes be seen near Trepassey.

Birds

This coastline is one of the best places in the world for seabirds, with thousands nesting there each year.

Berries on the trail

You can find many delicious berries along the trail. Bake apples, also called cloudberries, appear in July in the bogs, especially around Cape Spear and the Motion Paths. Wild strawberries grow in disturbed areas and produce sweet berries by July and August. Blueberries and raspberries are available in August, with Deadman's Bay and Blackhead Paths being good spots. Blackberries and crowberries ripen in September, while cranberries and marshberries do so after the first frost in late October and November. Partridgeberries, also known as mountain cranberries, lingonberries, or cowberries, are best picked in November after frost.