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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8 days
7 nights
18 meals
7B 6L 5D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
St. John's, Newfoundland
2
Hiking Signal Hill, The Rooms
St. John's, Newfoundland
3
Hiking the Coast, Cape Spear, Transfer to Port Union
Port Union, Newfoundland
4
Hiking Skerwink Trail, Trinity Walking Exploration
Port Union, Newfoundland
5
Hiking Murphy's Cove, Lodge's Pond Trail, Port Union
Port Union, Newfoundland
6
Hiking the Klondike Trail, Root Cellars, Bonavista
Port Union, Newfoundland
7
Hiking King's Cove, Transfer to St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland
8
Program Concludes
St. John's, Newfoundland
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
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
Listening devices are available.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Andy Kerr
Andy Kerr is an adjunct professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Memorial University. Prior to this role, he worked for many years with the Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador, and was involved with field work and mineral deposit studies in many areas of the province. Andy was born in the UK, but came to Newfoundland as a student in the late 1970s and now calls the island his home. He has long been interested in helping others appreciate Newfoundland’s landscapes and geology.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Andy Kerr
View biography
Andy Kerr is an adjunct professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Memorial University. Prior to this role, he worked for many years with the Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador, and was involved with field work and mineral deposit studies in many areas of the province. Andy was born in the UK, but came to Newfoundland as a student in the late 1970s and now calls the island his home. He has long been interested in helping others appreciate Newfoundland’s landscapes and geology.
Maxine Drover
View biography
Maxine Drover was born and raised in the beautiful outport community of Cavendish, Newfoundland and Labrador, where she currently resides with her husband Philip and feline friend Zigger. Since her retirement from a 33-year career in healthcare in 2021, Maxine has been pursuing her passion for hiking, taking advantage of the many trail systems Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer. Maxine has become an active custodian of the routes she frequents and is a proud volunteer with the East Coast Trail Association.
Suggested Reading List
(7 books)
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.
Hike the Discovery Trail: Five Centuries of Newfoundland Coastal Life
Program Number: 12391
Auroras, Fire in the Sky
Auroras is filled with 80 photographs of one of nature's greatest spectacles, complete with captions that reflect on the folklore, science and beauty of the northern lights. The book poses and answers the many scientific questions about auroras.
A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife: Marine Mammals, Seabirds, Fish and Other Sea Life
A comprehensive pocket guide to the marine mammals, seabirds, fish, invertebrates and other marine life of the Northwestern Atlantic. Built for the field, full-color illustrations, range maps and descriptions are integrated on opposite pages for easy reference. The range maps cover the Atlantic coast from Cape Hatteras to Newfoundland. Many of the individual whale species get two full pages. With an outstanding overview of oceanography and conservation, checklist and glossary.
The Day the World Came to Town, 9/11 In Gander, Newfoundland
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.
The Day the World Came to Town, 9/11 In Gander, Newfoundland
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. This book recounts the inspiring story of the residents of Gander, Canada, whose acts of kindness have touched the lives of thousands of people and been an example of humanity and goodwill.
The Far Traveler, Voyages of a Viking Woman
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.
Cod: A Biography Of The Fish That Changed The World
Wars have been fought over it, revolutions have been spurred by it, national diets have been based on it, economies have depended on it, and the settlement of North America was driven by it. Cod, it turns out, is the reason Europeans set sail across the Atlantic, and it is the only reason they could.
You Might Be From Newfoundland And Labrador If
A delightful, illustrated romp through this one-of-a kind place. From one of the most celebrated cartoonists in the country, de Adder delivers his unique take on Canada's most unique province, tickling the funny bone on every page. As de Adder proves, this is a province that is proud of who it is and likes nothing better than a good laugh.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
18 meals (
7B, 6L, 5D
)
2 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
St. John's, Newfoundland
Meals:
D
Stay:
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harbourview
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars or settle in for the night. You may also wish to explore what the city has to offer. The hotel is located downtown on St. John's picturesque harbor.
Day
2
Hiking Signal Hill, The Rooms
Location:
St. John's, Newfoundland
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harbourview
Activity Note
Hiking 4.5 miles, about 3 hours, on rugged trails with many rocks to climb over, to an elevation of 757.7 ft; close to cliff edges and very steep with many stairs. Walking and standing at museum.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will hike up Signal Hill for sweeping views overlooking the Atlantic. Signal Hill was the site of St. John’s harbor defenses from the 17th century to the Second World War, and where Guglielmo Marconi received the world’s first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901.
Lunch:
On route, we'll enjoy a boxed lunch
Afternoon:
We will begin our afternoon with a presentation on Newfoundland geology with a local expert. We will then walk to “The Rooms” for an introduction to the people of Newfoundland. A unique blend of art gallery, archives, and museum, its controversial design mirrors the colorful “fishing rooms” where families came together to process their catch. This is a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to local culture and craft as well as traditional and modern looks at life in Newfoundland and Labrador as it houses the largest collection of artifacts and specimens from the First Nations, Vikings, French, and English.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
3
Hiking the Coast, Cape Spear, Transfer to Port Union
Location:
Port Union, Newfoundland
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Seaport Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles, approximately 4-5 hours with rest stops. Hiking 4.5 miles over 3 hours on rugged trails with some uneven and potentially muddy sections, to an elevation of 246 ft. Terrain is rough underfoot, with low growth, hills, and cliff edges. Walking/standing at museum.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out and board the motorcoach for our drive to Port Union. Our first stop will be at picturesque Cape Spear. The easternmost point in North America (not counting Greenland), this cape has been inhabited all the way back to the extinct Beothuk people. It is also home to the Cape Spear Lighthouse, a National Historic Site of Canada. The lighthouse was first operated in 1836 and was the second lighthouse to be built in Newfoundland, to help protect the entrance to St. John's harbor. We will hike along the coast, seeing firsthand the scenery that prompted the building of the lighthouse.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch on the trail.
Afternoon:
We will complete our transfer by motorcoach to Port Union, where we will unpack and freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
A local historian will deliver a presentation on Port Union and its history. Learn how Sir William Coaker formed a union of fishermen in the early 1900s to fight against the merchant trade of St. John's. His goal was to revolutionize the fishery, placing control of the fish trade in the hands of fishermen. Sir William is noted as an activist, labor leader, visionary, businessman, publisher and politician.
Day
4
Hiking Skerwink Trail, Trinity Walking Exploration
Location:
Port Union, Newfoundland
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Seaport Inn
Activity Note
Hiking 3.5 miles along maintained paths with sometimes uneven terrain, to an elevation of 193.4 ft; considered moderate to difficult; steep slopes and cliff edges on trails, stairs. Walking about 2 miles along streets with some busy sidewalks and potential uneven terrain. Getting on/off a motorcoach, driving 43 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking and other activities during independent exploration according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we will depart by motorcoach for Port Rexton to hike the Skerwink Trail. This looped trek offers fantastic photo opportunities. Hilly terrain along high cliffs, it is rated moderate to difficult but worth every minute we spend on the trail. This trail is one of the most popular in the area and provides fantastic views of the ocean and sea stacks with magical names like the “music box.”
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Port Rexton.
Afternoon:
We will enjoy an expert-led walking exploration of Trinity, a viable North Atlantic community for hundreds of years. Its defensible harbor, with abundant room for the ships of the day and shores well suited for outbuildings, wharves, and fish flakes, made it ideal for the early migratory fishery. The preservation of Trinity’s cultural and built heritage has made it perhaps the most notable historic community in the province. After the walk, there will be some time to explore the town independently. You may wish to see a play at the Rising Tide Theatre, one of Newfoundland’s best loved professional theatre companies, visit historic sites or go kayaking.
Dinner:
On your own in Trinity. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
We will return to Port Union by motorcoach after dinner, and the remainder of the evening will be at leisure.
Day
5
Hiking Murphy's Cove, Lodge's Pond Trail, Port Union
Location:
Port Union, Newfoundland
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Seaport Inn
Activity Note
Hiking on a 4.8-mile looped trail, approximately 2-3 hours, to an elevation of 308.4 ft. Trail is narrow with hilly terrain, rocks, tree roots, hills, cliff edges; rated as moderate to difficult. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 33 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart from the hotel for our hike to Murphy's Cove/Lodge’s Pond trail, Port Union. This looped trail has a variety of headlands that provide viewing platforms where surrounding communities, whales, seabirds and fishing vessels can be photographed. The halfway point provides a lookout where we can view the Green Island Lighthouse, one of the last remaining manned lighthouses in Newfoundland. The trail follows the coastline offering great photo opportunities. Local experts will talk about the area and how the trails were once used by hunters and berry pickers.
Lunch:
In Port Union.
Afternoon:
We will start the afternoon on an expert-led visit of historic Port Union, see the buildings of the town, including the factory and the Coaker Bungalow. Many are being restored to their original state. Local experts talk about each site and the part it played in the life and times of Port Union.
Dinner:
In Port Union.
Evening:
We will take an evening trip to Cape Bonavista to view puffins and possibly whales and enjoy some spectacular scenery.
Day
6
Hiking the Klondike Trail, Root Cellars, Bonavista
Location:
Port Union, Newfoundland
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Seaport Inn
Activity Note
Hiking on a 3.7-mile linear trail, to an elevation of 508.5 ft; rated easy-moderate; approximately 1 hour. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 45 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will hike along the Klondike Trail and go from forest to wetlands, heathlands to sea. We’ll learn about the plants and animals inhabiting our area. Look for puffins, whales, kittiwakes, and other sea life as well as spectacular coastal scenery. This area was initially called Bird Island Cove and offers hikers spectacular oceanfront scenery with plenty of seabirds and wildlife along the way. We will then depart by motorcoach for Elliston to see the root cellars; take a walk back in time and enter cellars originally built in the 1850s, many of which are still used today to store root crops. At the Sealer’s Museum and Memorial, we will learn the history of Newfoundland's sealing industry, including the story of the Great Sailing Disaster of 1914.
Lunch:
In Bonavista at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
There will be some free time to independently explore the historic town of Bonavista, the Landfall of John Cabot when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497. You may wish to talk with local residents to learn the history of the town and their unique dialect.
Dinner:
We’ll enjoy a dinner in Port Union with local residents, featuring traditional Newfoundland dishes.
Evening:
Following dinner with local residents there will be traditional Newfoundland stories, music and dancing. Try your hand at playing the "ugly stick" and spoons. Also, participate in a "screech-in" ceremony where you will be made honorary Newfoundlanders. It is an unforgettable evening of fun and laughter.
Day
7
Hiking King's Cove, Transfer to St. John's
Location:
St. John's, Newfoundland
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harbourview
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 250 miles, approximately 4-5 hours total riding time with rest stops en route. Hiking 2.2 miles on a well-maintained, though occasionally uneven trail, to an elevation of 360.9 ft, rated moderate.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll check out and transfer to King’s Cove by coach this morning to hike the King’s Cove Lighthouse trail to Brook Point. The first and last parts of the trail are through meadows known as “Pat Murphy’s Meadow,” and were the inspiration for the famous folk song of that name. Most of the trail is through boreal forest with bogs and ponds. Coastal vegetation consisting of stunted or scrub spruce and fir predominates as we approach the coast. Tuckamore occurs on the coastal cliffs – a thicket of small stunted evergreen trees with gnarled spreading roots, forming closely matted ground-cover or thickets on the barrens and coastal regions. Shrubs of bog and sheep (goo-witty) laurel, Labrador Tea, and rhodora grow in and around bogs, open areas and as forest undergrowth. Blackberry earth, irises, sedum, blueberry bushes, and bakeapple plants are common. Brook Point is at the end of the trail and provides views of layer upon layer of multicolored, 570-million-year-old sedimentary rocks are exposed in these spectacular coastal cliffs.
Lunch:
Boxed lunches en route.
Afternoon:
We'll transfer to St. John's, a journey of about 3.5-4 hours. We'll arrive with time to check in and do some independent exploration, or rest up for departure the next day.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
8
Program Concludes
Location:
St. John's, Newfoundland
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
18 Meals
7 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025
- Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025
- Jul 20, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025
- Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025
- Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 11 Reviews
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This was a wonderful hiking trip enriched by the leaders and the people in the group. We learned about Newfoundland’s history and were astounded by the beauty of the coastal areas we visited.
— Review left September 14, 2024
Newfoundland was beautiful beyond my expectations and I live in what I’ve always thought was the most beautiful place in the world. The culture, the people, the landscape are all worth experiencing.
— Review left August 25, 2024
Outstanding staff, breathtaking scenery, and inspiring history
— Review left August 23, 2024
Beautiful hiking country, fascinating and significant history to learn, and a welcoming community to visit. Great leaders, instructors and driver who really worked as a team.
— Review left August 12, 2024
Active hikes and educational about Newfoundland and it's culture and people. Heroes like Sir William Croaker.
— Review left August 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this trip. Newfoundland is beautiful and we had wonderful views as we hiked along the coast. The food was also very good - food your grandma would make. I went at the end of July and we had great weather - sunny almost the entire time and relatively warm. I would recommend this trip to others.
— Review left July 30, 2024
This was an outstanding trip. The coastal trails proved rugged enough to challenge us and the vistas we found were truly rewarding. Our tour guide's enthusiasm and care supplied us with plenty of energy. Newfoundland is a gem waiting to be discovered. The hiking there, with the dynamic Atlantic always nearby, was truly memorable.
— Review left August 30, 2023
We learned about the history, the people and culture of Newfoundland. Beautiful hikes and coastline. Our guides were very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and easy to talk to.
— Review left August 20, 2023
We loved this program- an opportunity to see a world we knew nothing about- the hiking was great but the local guides made the trip amazing- seeing their world is what adventure travel us all about. Thank you
— Review left August 17, 2023
Really enjoyed our guide Barb!! She is very knowledgeable about hiking, the outdoors and the areas we explored. And just plain fun to be with! Newfoundland is beautiful and hiking the trails is a great way to enjoy all that it offers. We were well organized, very well fed and taken care of all the way. The local experts that joined us on the trails were very nice and again knowledgeable folks, personally I would have preferred a little faster pace on those days. Really enjoyed the walking tours of Port Union and Trinity. Great way to learn some history.
— Review left August 3, 2023
Spectacular views in fog, clouds, or sunshine. Fascinating history, geology, botany. Hikes that got my blood pumping at times, but were never too strenuous. Through our leaders and their interactions with the community. I got a strong sense of how proud Newfoundlanders are of their home. I LOVED this program!
— Review left July 16, 2023