Newfoundland's West Coast

Walking Experiences 2010

Walking, Wildlife & Environmental Tours

Walking & Wildlife Vacations

Newfoundland's West Coast - Gros Morne, Vikings and Lighthouses

June 26th - July 3rd. $3150 per person sharing. Single Supp. $290

The beautiful island of Newfoundl Approaching Quirpon Lighthouse and offers a range of exciting hiking, wildlife and sea adventure opportunities that are not readily accessible outside of Alaska, yet are within three hours flight of New York.. Straddling the mouth of the great St. Lawrence River, the island is influenced by the mix of cold and warm water currents which surround it, bringing whales and seabirds from the south, and icebergs, tundra and arctic wildlife from the north. This 8 day tour exlores the island's west coast, with accommodation in some of the most historic lighthouses in Canada.

We meet on Sat June 26th at our hotel near Cornerbrook (one night).

For those that arrive by 2 pm there will be a short afternoon walk to stretch those plane-cramped legs up to Steady Brook Falls. Still feeling drowsy? Try the Zip Line across the ravine while the falls sprays your face 200 feet in the air.
Welcome drink this evening and overview of the week ahead.

Day 2: The southwest corner of Newfoundland features rolling hills that are an irresistible invitation to see what is on the other side. Avid birders will be keen to spot the many rare birds which breed here, and those that simply love nature will enjoy the eagles patrolling the cliffs and the silhouette of osprey carrying fish to their young as the sun sets in a limitless sea.

After stretching your legs on another great trail you head to your home for the night - Cape Anguille Lighthouse Inn – (two nights) and watch the sun dip into the ocean. The inn is a restored century old lightkeeper's home surrounded by the Atlantic where horses and sheep wander at will through the meadows. Cape Anguille Lighthouse (Photo: Linkum Tours)

Day 3: Time to gain a little altitude as we walk the Starlite Trail. The Annieopsquotch hills offer panoramic views of the Codroy Valley in on edirection and a breathtaking drop to a pond behind you. The valley that beckons is covered with long alpine grass that traces each breath of wind. Some days the air is so clear you can see St Paul's island off Cape Breton.

Day 4: Unearthly is the word that comes readily to mind to describe the hike today. Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the Tablelands, where the earth's mantle has been thrust up like nowhere on earth, allowing you to roam on a mountain which should be kilometres deep under the ocean. This geological classroom has a view like no other as you overlook the fishing towns along the shores of Bonne Bay. After the appetite building hike, we enjoy a meal overlooking the sea where you may watch whales pursuing their own seafood supper.

July 1^st Day 5 - Canada Day/Newfoundland Day

Your goal for the day is Quirpon Lighthouse Inn (photo above) perched on the tip of an island off the northernmost point of Newfoundland. After being dropped at Grandmother's Cove you hike out along the cliffs toward the inn. The cliffs offer balcony seats to watch the whales and dolphins that play in the waters below, but also keep an eye out for smaller friends including otters and seals. For those with an appreciation of the ancient, we visit sod huts remains from an unidentified culture. These untouched artifacts are evoke the life of those that preceded us to this cove by millennia.
Sip a drink and relax on the cliffs, helipad or in the indoor whale watching station as you watch the bergs and whales continue their eternal parade. This island is the best location in the world for watching whales and icebergs at one time. The unique currents and underwater geography bring an unmatched food source in next to the rocks and the whales aren’t far behind. The frigid Labrador Current pulls the “vast cathedrals of ice” from the arctic to smash against the cliffs. For those that feel the urge to visit an iceberg or share the water with a whale, kayaking is an option not to be missed. Humpbacked WOW! (Photo: NFLT)

Day 6: We didn't want you to have nightmares so we saved the hike (or optional kayak) to the nearby cove of L'Anse aux Pigeon for today. This abandoned community was the site of a mass murder and suicide which was the climax of a tragic tale told in Earl Pilgrim's book 'Curse of the Red Cross Ring'. It is only one of the stories of hardship that have made this island famous. We know more.

After hiking Quirpon Island you visit the only Viking site on this side of the Atlantic. Ten centuries ago, long before Columbus set sail, the Vikings landed in North America at this spot. The factors that led this astounding culture to inhabit and then desert this settlement will set your imagination afire. No wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DAY 7 Not since you flew in have you been as high as you will be today on Gros Morne Mountain. Your trail today takes you to the summit where the views are breathtaking. No restaurant can match the ambience of picnicking at the top of 2,500 foot cliffs as you spot the moose, caribou and black bears wandering below. Sound daunting? Not to worry, there are options that offer great views without hiking all the way to the top. Return this evening to Deer Lake for our farewell dinner.

Day 8: Depart from Deer Lake airport for your flights home.

Reviews of the Lighthouse Inn on Quirpon Island:

One of the top 5 "... World's most secluded destinations...close to holiday perfection." LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
"It's a setting Captain Ahab would give his other leg for." NEW YORK POST
"...a cozy, secluded outpost that seems as if it's perched at the edge of the world." LONDON FREE PRESS
"Fall asleep to the pounding North Atlantic and wake up to the sight of icebergs and whales passing by." NATIONAL POST