East Coast Trail, Pouch Cove, Newfoundland

East Coast Trail, Newfoundland, with Pouch Cove in the distance, August 2013

On this Canadian Thanksgiving, here’s photos from our hike on the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland last August.  Finding this trail was something we were certainly thankful for.  On our last day in Newfoundland, we travelled to Pouch Cove–pronounced Pooch Cove–to go to an artists’ studio tour. We arrived a bit early for the tour and drove around the town.  When I saw a sign saying “parking for trail” I pulled over and we got out.  There was no sign of a trail, but luckily several hikers got out of another car and we got directions from them.

East Coast Trail, Newfoundland, August 2013

Down the road a short way, we came to a sign for the East Coast Trail that we hadn’t realized you could get to from here.  This trail runs 265 km along the Avalon Peninsula.  My husband had read that it was very beautiful.  And here, we had happily come upon the northern most entry point without planning to do so.

East Coast Trail, Newfoundland, August 2013

We hiked for around two hours, seeing vast views of the coast with cliffs and rugged rocky outcrops, some encrusted with lichens of different colours.  A terrific way to end our trip.

On the East Coast Trail, Newfoundland, August 2013

Rocks on the East Coast Trail near Pouch Cove, Newfoundland, August 2013