The Gros Morne Explorer hiking tour is an all-inclusive hiking vacation in one of Canada’s top hiking destinations, Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland & Labrador. Experienced naturalist guides lead you on day hikes to explore Gros Morne Mountain’s Arctic alpine, the deep fjords of the Long Range Mountains, coastlines of pebble beaches and volcanic rocks, and the treeless Tableland’s mountain of mantle. Included in this week-long tour is an exploration of Bonne Bay by sea kayak and a boat cruise on Western Brook Pond Fjord.

We base our guests in comfortable and spacious cottages in Norris Point conveniently located just a few minute’s walk from Gros Morne Adventures waterfront office, the beach, aquarium and waterfront pub. Daytime temperatures are ideal for hiking, the trails are not crowded and at the end of each day we enjoy unique dining experiences at locally owned seaside restaurants.

 6 Nights (Double Occupancy)

5 Days of Activity

All-inclusive (meals, fees, YDF Shuttle)

$495 single supplement, if not sharing

2019 Departures:

  • June 23 - 29, 2019
  • July 7 - 13, 2019
  • July 21 - 27, 2019
  • August 4 - 10, 2019
  • August 18 - 24, 2019

Day 1: Meet 6:30pm at Gros Morne Adventures, Norris Point for an evening orientation followed by a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Hike the treeless Tablelands and touch the earth’s mantle! This red mountain is home to rare plants, unusual rocks, and stunning vistas.

Day 3: Hike Gros Morne Mountain for stunning views of wild mountain plateaus, endless coastlines and deep fjords. Watch for woodland caribou, moose and rock ptarmigan.

Day 4: Explore Bonne Bay’s rich marine environment by sea kayak. In the afternoon cruise Western Brook, a massive 16km fjord lake hemmed in by 800m cliffs.

Day 5: Enjoy the Green Gardens coastal hike and explore a volcanic rock shoreline of sea stacks, pebble beaches, and wildflower meadows.

Day 6: The Lookout Hills rewards hikers with the finest panoramic view in Gros Morne National Park and the best chances to see moose in their natural habitat.

Day 7: After breakfast we return you to Deer Lake.

Please note: The first day  is an airport shuttle from Deer Lake, orientation and dinner. The last day  is breakfast at your cottage and airport shuttle to Deer Lake.

Day 1
Arrival & Orientation.

Meet 6:30pm at Gros Morne Adventures waterfront office in Norris Point for an evening orientation followed by a welcome dinner. Accommodations in Norris Point. The same accommodation is used each night.

Please note: Gros Morne Adventures provides a free shuttle from Deer Lake Airport at 3:30pm. If the free shuttle time is not convenient, taxi services are available from Deer Lake Airport. Contact our office for taxi company information.

Day 2
The Tablelands; 12-14km, moderate.

The day starts with a water taxi ride from the Norris Point waterfront across Bonne Bay to Woody Point. Drive a short distance to the Tablelands, an eerie landscape of mantle rock that once lay beneath the ancient Iapetus Ocean. From a geological and natural history perspective, it is one of the main reasons why Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To summit the Tablelands plateau, at 700m elevation, it is a 6-7 hour hike over very rocky and rugged terrain. From the plateau enjoy stunning views of Bonne Bay, the Long Range Mountains, and Winterhouse Brook Canyon. The hiking route passes numerous waterfalls and quite a variety of exotic plants specially adapted for life on the Tablelands.

Shorter hiking option available.

Day 3
Gros Morne Mountain; 16km, challenging.

Depart from Norris Point and drive to the Gros Morne Mountain trailhead. This rigorous hike leads to the Arctic alpine wilderness of the Long Range Mountains and the highest point in Gros Morne National Park. Despite the sparse vegetation that clings to this barren landscape, hardy inhabitants like the Woodland Caribou, Moose, and Rock Ptarmigan are quite at home in this environment.

Enjoy spectacular views overlooking the glacier-carved fjords of Bonne Bay and Ten Mile Pond. The summit is at 806m and the entire hike will take about 7-8 hours. Despite a long day on the trail, the natural beauty and unique flora and fauna of this area is well worth the effort.

Note: shorter hiking option available.

Day 4
Sea Kayaking; 5-8km, easy. Western Brook Pond Fjord; 6km, easy.

Meet at Gros Morne Adventures waterfront office in Norris Point for a sea kayaking adventure on Bonne Bay. The sheltered fjord of Bonne Bay extends over 20 km inland from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Some of the best views of Gros Morne Mountain and the Tablelands are seen from the bay and its home to a host of wildlife and marine organisms including Minke whales, eagles, terns, jellyfish, and sea stars.

In the afternoon travel north by van and walk the coastal lowlands across bogs and limestone ridges to Western Brook Pond fjord, a spectacular freshwater lake hemmed in by 650m granite cliffs. Join a boat tour to explore its 16km length and to see the spectacular waterfalls that tumble from the alpine plateau.

Day 5
Green Gardens; 9-16 km, moderate.

Start the day on the water taxi, arrive Woody Point and drive a short distance to the Green Gardens hike which is touted as the most ecologically diverse trek in the park. The route crosses an ancient ocean floor, traverses an Arctic alpine rock garden and descends into a boreal forest valley of northern evergreens, songbirds, and moose. At the coast explore wide beaches with shallow rock pools, grassy meadows, rock pillars, ancient volcanic sea-stacks and rugged cliffs.

Lunch on the beach and if the tides permit seek out a sea cave and tidal pools. After lunch, hike to the second meadow to enjoy a spectacular view of the northern shore and return to the trailhead.

Day 6
Lookout Hills; 12-16km, moderate to challenging.

The day begins with the water taxi ride across Bonne Bay. Arrive at the Woody Point dock, the start of the trek. Hike through town and on up a rugged hillside trail through thick Boreal forest. Within an hour, break out above tree line to reach the alpine fens. Cross the fens to a scree and rock ridge which leads to the summit peak. Seeing other hikers on this route is a rarity! In addition to spectacular views, moose are often seen.

Not only are hikers rewarded with the best panoramic view of Gros Morne National Park from the summit, all along this trek there are amazing views of the Tablelands, the coastal lowland, the Long Range Mountains and Bonne Bay’s picturesque villages of Norris Point and Woody Point.

Note: shorter hiking option available.

Day 7
Departure

Return to Deer Lake Airport. Shuttle available at 7:00 and 11:00 am.

Includes:

  • 6 nights accommodation
  • 5 full days of activity
  • all meals
  • ground transportation
  • airport (YDF) transfers
  • boat tour
  • sea kayaking
  • park pass

Itinerary Changes
Please keep in mind that weather may require us to change the scheduled itinerary of this hiking adventure. If we encounter high winds, fog and/or rain, we may alter the intended route and schedule to improve the tour and your experience.

Trip Rating
Moderate to challenging; 8-16km of hiking per day. Please refer to the daily descriptions for more detail.

Travel Arrangements
Airfare is not included in the price of your trip. We encourage you to contact your local travel agent or the airlines directly for any air arrangements you may need.

Reservations
Please fill out the online application form. You will be required to confirm your reservation with a deposit of $300.00 CDN per person. Visa, MasterCard or American Express accepted. The balance of the tour cost is due 60 days prior to the tour departure.

Accommodations
Accommodations are comfortable, spacious 1 and 2 bedroom cottages with full bath, kitchen and common room.

Meals/Menu
Your cottage is stocked with breakfast items including juice, milk, tea, coffee, cereal, bread and various spreads, fruit and yogurt. Lunch is an assortment of fruit, juice, sandwiches, vegetable snacks, and sweets. Evening meals are enjoyed at local restaurants and main course options are available. There’s plenty of food and our staff are always there to cater to your needs!

If you have any dietary restrictions it’s very important to inform us in advance in order to make the necessary arrangements.

  • Small daypack – will need to carry your lunch, water, extra clothing, camera, binoculars and rain gear.
  • Hiking boots – we recommend a light full leather hiking boot. If it rains your feet will get wet with the mesh style boots unless they have a waterproof barrier (ie. Gortex).
  • Rain pants and jacket (Gore-Tex or equivalent) - it will very likely rain while you are here. Your experience will be so much more enjoyable with breathable, waterproof rain gear (ie. Gore-Tex). Choose pants with full length leg zippers, much easy to get on and off.
  • Sun hat with wide brim
  • Fleece hat & mitts (or gloves)
  • Fleece sweater – combination of a 100 & 200 weight works better that one heavy fleece
  • Long sleeve synthetic shirt – help prevents sunburn, roll-up sleeves if needed, & they dry quickly
  • T-shirts (100% cotton doesn’t dry quickly)
  • Hiking shorts – quick dry
  • Wind pants – quick dry
  • Hiking Socks (synthetic blend & polypropylene liners)
  • Handkerchief
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun block & lip balm
  • Insect repellent – generally isn’t a problem since we usually have a breeze. May want to take if you have any sensitivity to black flies and mosquitoes.
  • Medications (medications that would not be part of our standard first aid kit)
  • Blister Treatment – Moleskin, 2nd Skin, and Medicated Bandages (Compeed, Band Aid, etc.)
  • Water Bottles or Bladder (2 litres minimum) with a holder for easy access

Optional Gear & Clothing

  • Gaiters – nice to have on the Big Lookout hike (off-trail) but not necessary
  • Small pad to sit on at lunch – the ground can be damp
  • Camera & batteries
  • Binoculars
  • Pocket knife
  • Swimsuit
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Hiking poles

Coastal hiking – be prepared for rapid weather change!

  • Cottons are cold when wet and take considerable time to dry. We strongly recommend wearing polyester blend garments that will dry quickly.
  • Hikers will be expected to carry, at a minimum, in their daypack– a rain jacket and pants, fleece/wool top, lunch, and 2 litres of water. Water should be easily accessed (placed on the outside of your pack in a pocket or attachable pouch), hydration is extremely important!

Please do not hesitate to call our office if you have questions pertaining to clothing – the right cloth

Gros Morne Explorer | Booking

$2195pp + HST
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