What you should consider when hiking Gros Morne National Park
You can find out where you can hike in Gros Morne National Park here. The national park in Newfoundland extends over a large area and offers a whole range of hiking trails. We wanted to at least partially hike some of them during our stay. There are short ones Walking, those that run along the sea or run inland through flat terrain. However, there are also hiking trails that go into the wilderness. For this you should prepare yourself well and bring experience with stays in the wilderness. Physical fitness is essential for such hikes. the Gros Morne National Park offers adventurers hikes as well as those who are looking for more leisurely hikes or walks.
Explore the mesmerizing beauty and wildlife of Gros Morne National Park by hiking as you embark on a journey of discovery through its network of trails. Get ready for breathtaking views, discover unique habitats and learn more about the biodiversity of the park!
Book your accommodation near Gros Morne National Park here
- The best starting point for Western Brook Pond is one of the accommodations in Rocky Harbour*
- We stayed in the Ocean View Hotel*. We were also able to experience a kitchen party there, as is typical for Newfoundland.
- If you want to visit the Western Brook Pond as a stopover on the way to or from L'Anse aux Meadows, then you can stay overnight at the Shallow Bay Motel* at Cow Head. We stayed there after our boat tour and hike to Western Brook Pond.
- Other accommodations in Gros Morne National Park* here.
- Why the accommodations we chose were a good choice , you will find out in this article.
Choose the right way.
A popular place for outdoor recreation, Gros Morne National Park offers several options when choosing a hiking trail. Be sure to choose a trail within your fitness level and make sure you know the terrain, length and approximate time. Taking these factors into account will help make your experience enjoyable!
As leisure hikers, we usually look for hiking trails that are easy, offer beautiful views and that we can cover in one to two hours. This suits our fitness level and does not degenerate into extreme exertion. For hiking in Gros Morne National Park, we had selected several hiking trails that fit our program well.
Gros Morne National Park trail maps
We did these hiking trails with maps during our stay:
- The Hikes at Lobster Cove Head
- The Gros Morne Coastal Trail
- The Western Brook Pond Trail to the jetty for the excursion boat
- We also had that planned Tablelands Trail. However, we had to cancel our hiking plans for that day because it rained heavily all day.
- Are you looking for more? Trails for hiking in Gros Morne National Park? Then you can find them under this link.
Dress appropriately and be prepared for changing conditions.
Make sure to dress appropriately for the season and be prepared for sudden weather changes. Temperatures can vary wildly from day to night, so layered clothing is best. It is also advisable to bring a waterproof jacket and pants, closed shoes, a hat, gloves and sunscreen. If you dress appropriately, you can make the most of your Gros Morne experience!
Although the sun shone the entire time during our Gros Morne National Park hike on Western Brook Pond, it was a good idea to bring a jacket. This protected against sunburn, but Petar only realized how strong the sun can be in these latitudes on the hike back to the car. He had gotten a bad sunburn during the hike and the subsequent boat trip. So our first purchase at our motel that night was a cap, which he still wears to this day. With its imprint, it always reminds us of our stay at the Shallow Bay Motel.
A tip: pay attention to the weather forecast if you want to hike in Gros Morne National Park
We were lucky that we had nice weather for many days during our trip. So we were able to hike well in Gros Morne National Park. But that's not always like this. We saw that too on our trip. We first spent a few days in the Rocky Harbor region and took the opportunity to do several hikes. Then we drove on L'Anse aux Meadowsover the Viking Trail. On the way back we finally wanted to hike on the tablelands in the southern part of the national park. However, the weather threw a spanner in the works there. It poured with rain all day long. So our hike there literally fell through. You should be prepared for that too. So we selected suitable accommodation, from which we could not only go hiking, but also had other alternatives.
Be aware of the wildlife in the national park and prepare yourself on how to handle it safely.
Although the animals in Gros Morne are wild, you can still see them up close in their natural habitat - just remember to keep a safe distance and respect the wildlife! Keep in mind that it is illegal to feed or touch wildlife in the park, so keep at least 30 feet away from any animals or birds you encounter.
We didn't encounter any animals on our hikes in Gros Morne National Park. Instead, we kept seeing moose on our trips through the country. Our hike to Western Brook Pond showed that they also stay along the hiking trails. We saw dozens of moose tracks in the soft patches of mud that ran down to the boardwalks. It is therefore clear that they can also appear when hiking. One of our Newfoundland guides even said that the island's moose population is among the densest in Canada.
But it doesn't have to be a moose that you meet on the way. In the great wilderness of Gros Morne National Park you can also meet other animals. Reindeer, foxes and birds are also found here.
When hiking in Gros Morne National Park, stick to marked trails and allow plenty of time for your hike.
We recommend starting your hikes in Gros Morne National Park early in the morning or late in the day, as this is when you are most likely to spot wildlife and birds. Watch your speed and always stay on marked paths. By allowing yourself enough time to complete your trek, you can ensure you have time to spot and photograph any wildlife that might cross your path.
But not only animals can extend your hike. We didn't see any animals on our hikes. Instead, we discovered flowers in abundance. Our photos of the flowering plants along the Western Brook Pond Trail alone would fill a photo album.
Plus, the views kept making us stop to take a picture. Especially on hikes along the coast there are always great views. It's fun to take a break and just enjoy nature.
Protect the environment by complying with all rules, regulations and permits.
When exploring the wonders of Gros Morne National Park, it is important to comply with all rules, regulations and permits imposed by the authorities. Camping within the park requires a permit but is limited to designated campgrounds. It is recommended that you do not disturb any plants or animals during your hike. Make sure you follow the Leave No Trace principles and take all necessary precautions to protect the natural environment.
For example, you can have a picnic on the picnic table in front of the Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse. However, you should remember to take all rubbish with you afterwards. Anything you leave behind attracts wild animals and shows them that they can easily find food around people. This should be avoided, however, so that the animals do not adjust their behavior accordingly. They will survive better if they have to find their own food.
You need this for hiking in Gros Morne National Park
- Pack your backpack with our packing list for hikers. Then you are guaranteed to have everything you need on the go.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for wide feetwhere you can walk well even on rough paths
- A backpack is definitely practical for everything you need on the go.
- Bring what you like for a picnic on the side of the trail with a view of the national park.
- The region offers beautiful photo opportunities. Therefore you should bring your camera .
- Make sure to bring a sun hat with. Don't underestimate the sun here. Petar can sing a song about it.
- Don't forget Rain jacket . The weather can change quickly.
- Order your travel guide for Eastern Canada here*.
If you purchase via a link marked *, we receive a commission, which we use to run this blog.
Travel Arrangements:
Parking at the airport
Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.
Getting to Gros Morne National Park:
For example, book your journey here by flight, bus or train*. Air Canada flies to St. John on Newfoundland. Book a flight to first Toronto, Montreal or Halifax. You can then book a domestic flight to St. John's. The nearest airport is in Deer Lake (YDF) and is about 30 minutes away by car on the Viking Trail. Arriving by ferry from Nova Scotia, the journey takes about three and a half hours via Route 1 and Route 430.
Car Rentals:
Cheap car hire - book quickly and easily!
Camper Rentals:
You can book a mobile home here.
Hotels:
The best way to spend a night in Gros Morne National Park is to stay in Rocky Harbor and surroundings *, You can book hotels and motels online by clicking on the link.
Do you know this?
- Boat Tour Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne National Park
- Gros Morne National Park Camping
- Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia's most beautiful lighthouse
- Slow Food in Canada: lobster and caviar
- Lobsters eat in Atlantic Canada
- Hotel in the center of Dublin
- Camping accessories online store
Other Slow Travel Destinations you can find here.
Source Gros Morne National Park: On-site research with support from the Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism Newfoundland and Western Brook Tours. Our opinions definitely remain our own.
Text Gros Morne National Park: © Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos Gros Morne National Park: © Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video Gros Morne National Park : © Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
