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Newfoundland and Labrador

Hike the Discovery Trail: Five Centuries of Newfoundland Coastal Life

Program No. 12391RJ
Alongside experts, discover the unique story, culture and ecology of Newfoundland as you hike some of the world’s most famous trails to view rare birds and ancient seascapes.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jul 7 - Jul 14, 2024
Starting at
3,099
Jul 21 - Jul 28, 2024
Starting at
3,099
Aug 4 - Aug 11, 2024
Starting at
3,099
Aug 18 - Aug 25, 2024
Starting at
3,099
Sep 1 - Sep 8, 2024
Starting at
3,099
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jul 7 - Jul 14, 2024
Starting at
3,659
Filling Fast!
Jul 21 - Jul 28, 2024
Starting at
3,659
Filling Fast!
Aug 4 - Aug 11, 2024
Starting at
3,659
Filling Fast!
Aug 18 - Aug 25, 2024
Starting at
3,659
Filling Fast!
Sep 1 - Sep 8, 2024
Starting at
3,659

At a Glance

Newfoundland’s rugged coastline affords ocean views dotted with icebergs, seabirds and whales. On this fascinating hiking adventure, explore the seascape with qualified experts who discuss the geology, flora, fauna and history of the island and hike inland trails to study the region’s migratory birds, wildlife and ecology.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Daily hikes are 2-5 miles over 2-4 hours on mostly developed trails; some coastal trails, hilly terrain, some rocky and rough surfaces.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Hike the Klondike Trail to Puffin Island with magnificent views of puffins, kittiwakes, whales, other sea life and spectacular coastal scenery.
  • Explore the historic town of Bonavista, where John Cabot made landfall upon discovering Newfoundland in 1497.
  • Experience amazing coastal scenery, sea birds, whales, eagles and sea stacks on the picturesque Skerwink Trail.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Wildlife of the North Atlantic, A Cruising Guide
by Tony Soper, Dan Powell (Illustrator)
This compact, illustrated guide covers the many petrels, ducks, gulls, terns and other seabirds, as well as the rich abundance of life existing under the waves, that populate the vast Atlantic region from the British Isles to Newfoundland.
Cod, A Biography of a Fish That Changed the World
by Mark Kurlansky
A sparkling extended essay on the cod, looking at the importance of the fish to cuisine and history, as well as to Scandinavian, American and Canadian commerce.
The Far Traveler, Voyages of a Viking Woman
by Nancy Marie Brown
Brown's intriguing account of the life of the young Viking woman Gudrid sheds light on early Norse settlements in Iceland, Newfoundland and beyond. It's an archaeological mystery, a history of ancient seamanship and a biography all rolled into one.
A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife
by Noble S. Proctor, Patrick J. Lynch (Illustrator)
A comprehensive pocket guide to commonly encountered marine mammals, seabirds and other marine life of Northeastern North America, from North Carolina to Newfoundland and the Canadian Maritimes.
The Atlantic Coast, A Natural History
by Harry Thurston
Thurston illuminates the geology, plant and animal life and nature of the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland and Labrador through the Maritime Provinces and the Northeastern United States south to Cape Hatteras in this illustrated, engaging survey.
A Traveller's History of Canada
by Robert Bothwell
A readable and admirably concise march through Canadian history from prehistory to today, including a timeline.
Guide to the Offshore Wildlife of the Northern Atlantic
by Michael H. Tove
An oversize field guide to the seabirds, ocean mammals and turtles found off Atlantic shores north of the Tropic of Cancer featuring 39 excellent color plates and extensive descriptive information.
Vikings, The North Atlantic Saga
by William Fitzhugh (Editor), Elisabeth Ward (Editor)
An extensively illustrated volume of Viking culture, history and exploration that focuses especially on voyages to North America. Published in conjunction with a Smithsonian exhibit, it features essays and 400 color photographs.
The Boat Who Wouldn't Float
by Farley Mowat
A laugh-out-loud account of Mowat's determination to refurbish and sail a clunky old boat in the not-always-forgiving waters of Newfoundland.
Fifty Places to Hike Before You Die, Outdoor Experts Share the World's Greatest Destinations
by Chris Santella
Santella (Once in a Lifetime Trips) includes insider tips, color illustrations and concise descriptions of 50 hikes from the Lunana Snowman Trek in Bhutan to the Amalfi Coast.
This Marvellous Terrible Place, Images of Newfoundland and Labrador
by Yva Momatiuk, John Eastcott
This portrait of Newfoundland, compiled by two accomplished photojournalists, combines color photographs and oral histories of the area.
The Bird Artist
by Howard Norman
Memorably set in a remote coastal village in 1911, this vivid book is the tale of an odd local man who murdered the lighthouse keeper. It's as much about human character and motivation as it is about Newfoundland.
Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
by Mark Carwardine
In the trademark, graphic Eyewitness style, this sturdy guidebook colorfully describes the world's cetaceans with numerous illustrations, range maps, fluke drawings and a few paragraphs on each species.
Sylvanus Now
by Donna Morrissey
Morisette writes with authority of the struggles of cod fishermen and their families in a remote coastal village in the 1950s in this third novel of maritime Newfoundland.
The Day the World Came to Town, 9/11 In Gander, Newfoundland
by Jim Defede
When thirty-eight jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001, due to the closing of United States airspace, the citizens of this small community were called upon to come to the aid of more than six thousand displaced travelers.
Theatre of Fish, Travels Through Newfoundland and Labrador
by John Gimlette
A rollicking account of Gimlette's adventures in Newfoundland and Labrador on the trail of a great-great grandfather. It's a witty tale, soaked in fishy history, myth, lore and incident.
Sweetland
by Michael Crummey
Facing the prospect of losing his land, the fierce, enigmatic Moses Sweetland recalls stories about his home, a village founded by his ancestors on a storm-battered island in Newfoundland.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.