Day 1
Arrival | Upper Humber Settlement | Medicine Wheel | Forage & Farm Dining | Orientation

Arrive at the Deer Lake airport in the afternoon and after a 10 minute drive, you’ll be welcomed at the Upper Humber Settlement in Cormack. Here, Indigenous guide and owner Lauralee Ledrew will educate and entertain you around the fire circle on the healing practice and teachings of the medicine wheel. Enjoy a short tour of the sustainable farm and forage in the surrounding forest, before sitting down to enjoy a memorable dining experience. Relax for the 1 hour drive through cabin country and mountains to Gros Morne National Park, followed by a brief orientation. Stay at comfortable Gros Morne Basecamp accommodations for the week, a few minutes walk to the Norris Point waterfront and Gros Morne Adventures.

Please note: Gros Morne Adventures provides a free shuttle from Deer Lake Airport between 2:00-3:00pm*. If the free shuttle time is not convenient, taxi services are available from Deer Lake Airport. Contact our office for taxi company information. *Depending on 2024 flight schedule.

Day 2
Woody Point | Discovery Centre | The Middle River Exhibition | Tablelands | Trout River 

The day starts with a short ferry ride to Woody Point, on the south side of the park. We will visit the Discovery Centre to learn about the geology in Gros Morne National Park and view the Middle River Exhibition, which explores the traditions of the Miawpukek First Nation, a Mi’kmaw community on the south coast of Newfoundland. Later, walk the Tablelands (4km), 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. Driving through a valley of mantle and volcanic vegetation takes us to the fishing town of Trout River. Stroll atop the volcanic cliffs of Eastern Point Trail (2.5km) and then enjoy a seaside dinner.

Day 3
Mattie Mitchell Trail | Big Canoe | Indigenous Cultural Campfire | Spirit Horse Therapeutic Arts 

To start the day, walk a short interpretive trail that tells the story of Mattie Mitchell and the Mi’kmaq in Newfoundland. Mattie Mitchell was a renowned Mi’kmaw hunter, guide and prospector and has been recognized as a person of national historic significance. Back at Gros Morne Adventures in Norris Point, help paddle a 10 person big canoe and learn how to glide on Bonne Bay working as the First Peoples did. Try your hand at making fire using Stone Age tools and cook Lu’skinikin (bannock) over an open fire. Later, chat with June, an Indigenous artist and owner of Spirit Horse Therapeutic Arts as she reflects on her colorful work, inspired by history, culture and place.

Day 4
The Arches | Port Au Choix National Historic Site | Point Riche Lighthouse | Steve's Trail 

Today we venture north to the town of Port Au Choix. We will drive an hour to The Arches Provincial Park for a quick break and snack under the ocean carved rock arches. Another hour drive takes us to the Port Au Choix National Historic Site, the crossroads of 6000 years of human history. We will explore artefacts and an exhibition on Maritime Archaic people, the Dorset and the Groswater people. Rare and fragile limestone barrens surround the site and coastal trails (4km) lead to a 4000 year old Maritime Archaic burial ground. The rocks are peppered with fossils and caribou often frequent the area. An afternoon drive back to Rocky Harbour and stop in Steve’s Trail (900m) to stretch our legs ends off a day of adventure.

Day 5
Sea Kayaking | Under The Stump | Bakers Brook | Rocky Harbour | Screech-In Ceremony

Meet at Gros Morne Adventures waterfront in Norris Point for a sea kayaking adventure on Bonne Bay (2 hours). 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. After a picnic lunch, we’ll meet Trina from Under The Stump in Bakers Brook for a guided walking tour. Trina will engage you with stories and reflections on Indigenous culture and Newfoundland traditions, passed on from her family and her grandmother, Rita Rideout. Later, we’ll join her for an infamous Newfoundland screech-in ceremony and traditional music in Rocky Harbour.

Day 6
Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse | Green Point Geological Site | Western Brook Pond Boat Tour 

In the morning, we visit two Parks Canada interpretive sites; Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse and Green Point Geological Site. The working lighthouse outside of Rocky Harbour and is surrounded by rocky cliffs that offer views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and artefacts from communities past and present. Green Point is a short walk along a beach to view cliffs 500 million years in the making! Fossils found on this site show the change from Cambrian to Ordovician periods. In the afternoon travel north and walk the coastal lowlands (6 km) across bogs and limestone ridges to Western Brook Pond fjord, a spectacular freshwater lake hemmed in by 650m granite cliffs. Join a 2 hour boat tour to explore its 16km length and to see the spectacular waterfalls that tumble from the alpine plateau. An evening meal with an ocean view is a nice farewell to complete the weeks journey!

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
• Indigenous guide & experiences
• paddling tour
• boat tour
• National Park & Historic Site pass

Itinerary Changes
Please keep in mind that weather may require us to change the scheduled itinerary of this week long 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
Easy to Moderate; 3-7km of walking per day on flat or gentle grade. 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.  Our airport shuttle is from Deer Lake Airport (YDF) which operates Air Canada, WestJet and other smaller airlines.

Reservations
Please fill out the online application form. You will be required to confirm your reservation with a non-refundable deposit of $300.00 CDN per person. Visa, MasterCard or American Express accepted. The balance of the trip is due 60 days prior to the tour and no refunds are given after this time. Please ensure you have adequate trip cancellation and medical insurance in case of last minute changes.

Accommodations
We base our guests in comfortable and spacious accommodations in Norris Point conveniently located just a few minute’s walk from Gros Morne Adventures waterfront office, the beach, aquarium and waterfront pub. The accommodations are based on double occupancy. For solo travellers, you have the option to try and share with another hiker, however if no one is available to share, the single supplement fee of $395 will apply.

Meals/Menu
Your accommodation is stocked with breakfast items including  milk, juice, tea, coffee, granola, eggs, fruit, yogurt, bread and various spreads for your preparation. Lunch is an assortment of sandwiches and salads, fruit, vegetable snacks, granola bars and sweets. Evening meals are enjoyed at local restaurants or our beachfront property with an appetizer, entree and dessert option. Alcohol is not included. 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.)
• 1 Water Bottle or Bladder (2 litres minimum) with a holder for easy access*we have extra bottles to borrow

Optional Gear & Clothing

• Gaiters – nice to have 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*we have extra to borrow

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