Day 1:
Meet in St. John’s at 16:00. Pre-dinner walk through the Battery to Signal Hill - the site of the first transatlantic communication and a fabulous viewpoint over St. John’s Harbour. After dinner, enjoy some music of Irish descent in one of many venues on the infamous George Street. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfasts only)
Banberry House, St. John's
Day 2: Hike the East Coast Trail. 3km/2 miles or 30km/18 miles
This is truly a wild walk, along cliffs with carefully built bridges, showing you colonies of seabirds, including Atlantic Puffins, Northern Gannet, Common and Thick-billed Murres, Razorbills and the Blacklegged Kittiwake. After enjoying the most amazing views of this dramatic coast all the way to Brigus South, your van will transfer you back to your cozy inn. This is a challenging hike; we recommend you bring sturdy hiking boots and a day pack. BLD
Banberry House, St. John's
Day 3: 75km/47miles
Start riding at Blaketown on the Shore of Dildo Pond (Newfoundland’s place names carry many surprises). You will ride through Heart’s Delight, Heart’s Desire and Heart’s Content – a spectacular coastal cycling route largely along the coast of Trinity Bay. You will find the local people in these scenic villages as unique and entertaining as the names of their villages. If you like, you can extend the ride to Harbour Grace and Cupids – the oldest official English colony in Canada and the second oldest in North America, settled in 1610. Visit www.cupids400.com for more information. BLD
Sophia's Heritage Inn, Carbonear
Day 4: 116km/72 miles or 140km/88 miles
Today's ride takes you around the Conception Bay, or “Bacccalieu” loop - the local favourite. The magnificent seaside route will provide vistas of both Conception and Trinity Bays, and rewarding descents into quiet and picturesque fishing hamlets including Old Perlican and Bay de Verde. Near day’s end, the cross-country route from Heart’s Content to Victoria may be a great place to see a moose enjoying a meal in the peaty fens, whether you ride or take our end-of-the-day transfer back to Carbonear. BL
Sophia's Heritage Inn, Carbonear
Day 5: 60km/38 miles
Morning van transfer to Shoal Harbour, near Terra Nova Park. Ride through George’s Brook, Southern Bay and Lockston to Trinity, stopping for a picnic lunch at Rattle Falls. Trinity is a jewel. Most of the town is a national heritage site – an essential stop on any Canadian explorer’s agenda. You will explore it with a walking pageant – actors who bring the history alive! BLD
Artisan Inn, Trinity or Eriksen Premises, Trinity
Day 6: 25km/16 miles
Circumnavigate the outer Bonavista Peninsula, visiting the Green Family Forge, English Harbour, Paradise, Maberley, Dungeon, the museum and the Mockbeggar property in Bonavista, picnic at the Cape Bonavista lighthouse, Newman’s Cove, Amherst Cove and Catalina. Stop for a swim in Catalina. Return to Trinity by van or on Lockston Path, keeping an eye out for moose. Dinner at the Campbell House. BLD
Artisan Inn, Trinity or Eriksen Premises, Trinity
Day 7: A day of mixed hiking and riding options with a whale-watch option.
Morning ride along Lockston Path to Keels (maybe Lialarness of the Viking Sagas). Visit Tickle Cove, Red Cliff and Open Hall enroute to Jiggin’ Head. Ride to Old Bonaventure for a coastal hike there. Take a boast trip, followed by a 7 kilometre hike along the coast of the British Highlands. Afternoon ride to Port Rexton, then hike some fascinating landmarks and talk about the history and culture of this area. If time permits, cycle to Dunfield to explore the ruins of an old British fort, built to guard the riches if Trinity. Enjoy the Skellig hike. BD
Artisan Inn, Trinity or Eriksen Premises, Trinity
Day 8: Transfer about 3½ hours to St. John’s following breakfast, arriving by noon. B
The isolated culture of rural Newfoundland and the stark, unspoiled beauty of the landscapes make this an exceptional experience, with unparalleled scenery and visits to truly special places.
The adventure starts and finishes in “the Battery”, and a downtown area packed with so many lively spots that nightlife is vividly entertaining. You will start with a full day of hiking on the best part of the East Coast Trail, before venturing west to ride the perimeters of two beautiful peninsulas, whose coastal sites include Grates Cove, Ryan Premises, and the astounding village of Trinity, about whose history you will learn as you walk with a theater troupe. You will probably see whales and icebergs, and will appreciate the unspoiled feel of the vast landscapes here.
The past two centuries of isolation have preserved a distinctive accent, believed by linguists to be a relatively unchanged Elizabethan dialect. It is very easy to strike up conversation with the friendly folk who live here, but whether you understand or are simply bemused by their colourful colloquialisms remains to be seen.
| Start: |
St. John’s, Newfoundland, 16:00, day one |
| Finish: |
At your inn in St. John’s, Newfoundland, noon, day eight |
| Guided Cost: |
$2895 (per person, includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners, luggage handling, van and guide support, route notes and maps) |
| Self-guided Cost: |
$2495 (per person, includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, luggage handling, guided hike on day 2, transfers on days 3, 5, and 8, route notes and maps) |
| Single Occupancy: |
$585 |
| Bicycle Rental: |
Hybrid: $145; Racing: $195. Full Carbon Racing or Electric-assist:$265 |
| 2013 Guided Dates: |
June 22-29; July 7-14; July 21-28; Aug 4-11; Aug 18-25. Add your own dates (learn more) |
| Self-guided Dates: |
You choose! We confirm within 48 hours. Best months are June (spring flowers, icebergs abundant), July (warmer weather, maybe icebergs & whales), August (warm weather, whales, usually no icebergs), and September (cooler and quiet). |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
13% sales tax applies. 50% refund for non-Canadians.
“My dad…and I had an absolutely wonderful time on our Avalon Peninsula trip in August.” – Susee W
“We love the combination of informality and comfort, exertion and pampering. We also like meeting the other people on the trip and hanging out with the guides.” – Martha & Bill P
By the numbers:
276...km cycled along the Avalon Peninsula
34...km hiked along the Avalon Peninsula
101...panoramas viewed each day
750...ml of wine consumed each evening
2...outstanding tour guides
886...stairs on the Signal Hill hike
1...chilly, foggy day, when only the intrepid dared to bike
6...pounds gained during the week
9...Maritime ditties the Harbour Grace locals sang after dinner
0...reasons why I shouldn't go back to Newfoundland
Michael O'C
“great trips, well organised, friendly guides, professional” – Hal D
“Truly unbelievable care and thought…you gave us a superb holiday with many cherished memories” – Joan H. & Richard van S.
Rent a car to visit the most accessible seabird rookery in North America at Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, an amazing experience even for non-birders.
Fly to Western Newfoundland to hike Gros Morne National Park
How about a cycle on the West Coast of the island The Viking Trail?
