Newfoundland is often called a hiker’s paradise. The Gros Morne National Park area in particular is known for many beautiful hiking opportunities, the best of which are multi-day expeditions into the remote inner regions of the park. We did not intend to do any multi-day hikes, but definitely wanted to experience some of that rugged Newfoundland beauty.

On our first morning waking up in Newfoundland, we decided to stock up on some food supplies and hopefully find a good bakery. The place that fit that description was Earl’s Restaurant and Bakery. They sold tasty breads, pies, jams and jellies made from local berries (bakeapple, partridgeberry) and an unexpected treat – canned moose meat. After a quick shopping trip we were back in our cottage, having breakfast and making plans for the day. We booked a boat tour of the Western Brook Pond for the day after and headed out.

Approaching Woody Point

We got to the Gros Morne Visitors Centre, picked up a map and looked at our hiking options. Decided to go to Woody Point and hike up the Lookout Trail. It was a nice hike that was very scenic throughout, with the high point offering a 360° view of the surrounding Bonne Bay, harbours of Norris Point and Woody Point, the bare brown Tablelands, and the Gros Morne mountain. There is a pair of Muskoka chairs (known in the USA as Adirondack chairs) at the top of the hike to let you rest and appreciate the view.

Panoramic view from the top of the Lookout Trail

Pitcher Plant – Newfoundland’s official flower

A section of the trail close to the top is a boardwalk that protects the marshland underneath

The bare Tablelands are so different from the rest of the landscape because of the unique chemicals in their soil

It was high 20º outside, but there was still snow lurking in the crevices of the mountains

Woody Point and highway 431

Norris Point across the bay, with Gros Morne mountain on the far left, touching the clouds.

Infrared view from the top

Marshes on the Lookout Trail

After we got back down to our bikes, we decided to check out the Lobster Cove Lighthouse, which is just north of Rocky Harbour. Even though both Woody Point and Rocky Harbour are within the same national park, it still takes an hour to get from one to the other. It was still broad daylight when we descended from the trail, and sunset when we got to the lighthouse. Instead of photographing the lighthouse, we ended up spending all the time near the cliffs taking photos of the roaring waves underneath. The sunlight was rapidly changing into varying shades of blue, pink, gold and purple, reflecting off the clouds and the waves. Separating the cliffs from the road was a forest of tuckamores – short stunted fir trees. You had to go through that forest to get to different points overlooking the cliffs. It was spooky at times, like as if you were in an enchanted forest.

As the sun finally set and it got darker, we headed to our cottage and had some of Earl’s moose meat with spaghetti for dinner. It turned out quite tasty and we figured we’d get more – for ourselves to eat while we stay there, and as perfect Newfie gifts for friends back home. (Maybe I’m too pragmatic, but a gift you can eat and be done with beats a trinket that collects dust for years, every time.)