Gros Morne has been called the"Galapagos of Geology". Within this 700 square mile park there are classic examples of monumental earth-building and modifying forces. Here you can learn about an ancient ocean and the collision of continents, you can visit arctic-alpine barrens populated by woodland caribou and arctic hares, or you can explore the coast's 4,500 year history.

In 1987 Gros Morne became the tenth Canadian site on the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage List. With this designation, the park joined other cultural and natural areas throughout the world, such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos Islands, Chartres Cathedral, and Yellowstone National Park. The major reason for Gros Morne's world significance is its geology. From the precambrian rocks of the Long Range mountains to the cambrian and ordovician rocks of the ancient Iapetus Ocean, the bedrock of the park provides dramatic examples that were instrumental in supporting the "Theory of Plate Tectonics". Due to its spectacular beauty and rare geology, the park has been featured in many scientific journals, television programs, and travel magazines.

The park offers many hiking trails where you can explore the striking geology and experience firsthand the majestic beauty of this area. We are pleased to provide the following overview of these trails:

Long Range Mountains
-Long Range Traverse (Length: 21.7 miles, Hiking Time: 3+ Days, Difficulty: Very Strenuous)

-North Rim Traverse (Length: 16.8 miles, Hiking Time: 2+ Days, Difficulty: Very Strenuous)

Old Mail Road
(Length: 1.2 miles, Hiking Time: 1 Hour, Difficulty: Easy)

This trail starts at the Shallow Bay day-use area and follows the old winter mail road along the edge of the campground, and north to the Slants River. The mail road parallels the shoreline in the shelter of dense coastal forest. You can return along the ski trail.

For a short loop, cross the dunes on the boardwalk at the campground and then return along the beach.

Broom Point
(Length: 0.6 miles, Hiking Time: 0.5 Hours, Difficulty: Easy)

The trail leads through krummholz forest to a beautiful coastal meadow overlooking the mouth of Western Brook. The gravel road leads to the restored summer fishing premises at Broom Point and to a small cove, site of a cemetery from the 1800's.

Western Brook Pond
- to Boat Tour (Length: 1.9 miles, Hiking Time: 0.75 Hours, Difficulty: Easy-Moderate)

- to Stag Brook (Length: 2.7 miles, Hiking Time: 1.5 Hours, Difficulty: Moderate)

Leading to the Western Brook Pond boat tour, with a spur trail to a beach near Stag Brook. The trail crosses coastal bogs and low forested limestone ridges over gentle terrain and boardwalks. The view alone is worth the hike, even if you are not able to take the boat tour. Interpretive panels explain highlights of the trail.

Snug Harbour
(Length: 5 miles, Hiking Time: 2.5 Hours, Difficulty: Moderate)

This trail is a spur off Western Brook Pond Trail, and leads to a campsite at the foot of the Long Range Mountains. Expect muddy conditions. The seasonal bridge across Western Brook near the outlet of the pond is usually in place from mid-June to mid-October, water level permitting.

Green Point
(Length: 1.9 miles, Hiking Time: 0.75 Hours, Difficulty: Easy)

This trail follows the old winter mail road along the coast between Baker's Brook and Green Point. The long cobble beach, small ponds, and coastal krummholz provide a pleasant variety of habitats. You can start this trail from the campground or from a small parking area north of the Baker's Brook bridge.

Berry Head Pond
(Length: 1.2 miles, Hiking Time: 0.75 Hours, Difficulty: Easy)

The use of boardwalk on the first portion of this trail allows people with limited mobility to enjoy the pond. This trail encircles the pond, passing through habitats such as forest and bog. This is a good trail for windy days.

Lobster Cove Head
(Length: 1.2 miles, Hiking Time: 1 Hour, Difficulty: Easy-Moderate)

A sign by the parking lot maps the paths down to the shoreline. The rocky beach with its tidal pools is excellent for exploring at low tide. The lightkeeper's house is open to visitors from June to the end of September and contains an exhibit about the history of the area.

Baker's Brook Falls

The falls are the main attraction of this trail, rivaled by a profusion of spring and summer wildflowers in the bog and forest, sheltered from the wind, so be prepared for biting insects. At the riverside, follow the trail downstream to a viewpoint over a wide multi-tiered water falls.

Berry Hill
(Length: 0.9 miles, Hiking Time: 1 Hour, Difficulty: Easy-Moderate)

Berry Hill is a low rock knob that was an island during higher sea levels just after the last ice age. Rocks polished by waves 10,000 years ago are still visible on its flanks. The climb is steep (stairs and rest benches are provided), but the view from the top is lovely.

Berry Hill Pond
(Length: 1.2 miles, Hiking Time: 0.75 Hours, Difficulty: Easy)

This trail is fine for an after-dinner stroll, or you can walk it before breakfast when the birds are in song. This is one of the few ponds in the park with frogs (Green frogs), so keep your eyes and ears open.

Gros Morne Mountain

Newfoundland National Parks Gros Morne Terra Nova Ecological Reserves - Part I Ecological Reserves - Part II L'anse Aux Meadows Photogallery

(Length: 9.9 miles, Hiking Time: 7.5 Hours, Difficulty: Strenuous-Very Strenuous)

It is very important to be well prepared before ubdertaking this hike. Before you go, pick up and read a copy of the trail brochure at the Visitor Centre or at the trailhead. The view from the top is renowned, as is the exhausting climb up the gully. The trail on top of the mountain is often closed until late June because of late snow, wet soils, and animals raising young. Be prepared - this is not an easy hike!!

Southeast Brook Falls
(Length: 0.6 miles, Hiking Time: 0.5 Hours, Difficulty: Easy-Moderate)

A short, fairly easy hike through the woods will bring you to the falls, which are most impressive during spring run-off, or after a heavy rain. Please stay on the safe side of the barricade-it's a long drop.

Stuckless Pond
(Length: 5.9 miles, Hiking Time: 3.5 Hours, Difficulty: Moderate)

Branching off the Lomond River Trail, this spur crosses a suspension bridge, then climbs to Stuckless Pond. It circles the pond set between prominent hills, where signs of past logging operations persist.

Stanleyville
(Length: 2.5 miles, Hiking Time: 2 Hours, Difficulty: Moderate)

The trail begins at the day-use area playground, climbs over a ridge, and winds down to a cove at Stanleyville. The trail follows an old road through a second-growth forest and past a present-day domestic cutting area. Stanleyville was the site of a sawmill and small community that was active in the early 1900's. Although it has been abandoned for 70 years, garden plants still grow there.

Lookout
(Length: 3.1 miles, Hiking Time: 2.5 Hours, Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous)

This trail rises steeply up the forested hillside to the wet meadow and barrens of the plateau. Boardwalk leads to the summit of Partridgeberry Hill and the best panoramic view in the park.

Green Gardens
-short hike (Length: 5.6 miles, Hiking Time: 3.5 Hours, Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous)
-long hike (Length: 9.9 miles, Hiking Time: 7 Hours, Difficulty: Strenuous)

This trail leads to a coast of sea stacks, volcanic cliffs, a sea cave accessible at low tide, and a secluded cove with a sparkling waterfall. You could spend hours walking along the beach and cliff-top meadows. This is a good wildflower hike. For detailed information, pick up a copy of the Green Gardens Trails brochure, available from the Visitor Centre. Please note that the two river fords along the Wallace Brook section can be deep after a rainfall.

Trout River Pond
(Length: 8.7 miles, Hiking Time: 4.5 Hours, Difficulty: Moderate)

This trail follows the north shore of Trout River Small Pond. The first few kilometres is through shaded boreal forest, but then the vegetation dwindles to larch scrub and serpentine barrens. Arctic-alpine plants grow here in the midst of patterned ground, erosion fans, and calcium springs. The trail provides magnificent views of the narrows where the two ponds meet, and of the glacially-carved valley of Trout River Big Pond.

Tablelands
(Length: 2.5 miles, Hiking Time: 2 Hours, Difficulty: Moderate)

The Tablelands is the most important geological feature found in the park. This gigantic chunk of tan colored rock is a sample of the Earth's crust and upper mantle. The unusual geology here marks a time when the continents of Europe and North America collided, pushing these rocks which were originally beneath the ocean, to their present position on land. The trail follows an old road from an exhibit to the entrance of Winterhouse Brook Canyon.

For more information on this beautiful park, please contact:

Gros Morne National Park
P.O. Box 130
Rocky Harbour, NF
Canada A0K 4N0
Telephone: (709) 458-2066

Special Thanks to Amazing Adventures for contributions on Newfoundland Parks.

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