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.
What You'll Learn
- 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.
Suggested Reading List
(17 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
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.
Vikings, The North Atlantic Saga
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 Atlantic Coast, A Natural History
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.
The Boat Who Wouldn't Float
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.
Sylvanus Now
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 Bird Artist
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.
Wildlife of the North Atlantic, A Cruising Guide
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.
Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
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.
Fifty Places to Hike Before You Die, Outdoor Experts Share the World's Greatest Destinations
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.
A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife
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 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.
Theatre of Fish, Travels Through Newfoundland and Labrador
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.
A Traveller's History of Canada
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
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.
Sweetland
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.
This Marvellous Terrible Place, Images of Newfoundland and Labrador
This portrait of Newfoundland, compiled by two accomplished photojournalists, combines color photographs and oral histories of the area.
Cod, A Biography of a Fish That Changed the World
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.
Meals
18 Meals
7 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
5 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
- Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024
- Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 14, 2024
- Jul 21, 2024 - Jul 28, 2024
- Aug 04, 2024 - Aug 11, 2024
- Aug 18, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024
- Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024
- Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025
- Jul 20, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025
- Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025
- Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025
3 nights
St. John's
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harborview offers views of St. Johns Harbour and is located downtown close to many attractions, including the Mile One Centre, St. Johns Convention Center, Johnson Geo Center and the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada.
4 nights
Port Union
The Seaport Inn is conveniently located between the historic communities of Trinity and Bonavista, the Seaport Inn is the ideal haven for sightseeing on the Discovery Trail.
3 nights
St. John's
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harborview offers views of St. Johns Harbour and is located downtown close to many attractions, including the Mile One Centre, St. Johns Convention Center, Johnson Geo Center and the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada.
4 nights
Port Union
The Seaport Inn is conveniently located between the historic communities of Trinity and Bonavista, the Seaport Inn is the ideal haven for sightseeing on the Discovery Trail.
3 nights
St. John's
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harborview offers views of St. Johns Harbour and is located downtown close to many attractions, including the Mile One Centre, St. Johns Convention Center, Johnson Geo Center and the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada.
4 nights
Port Union
The Seaport Inn is conveniently located between the historic communities of Trinity and Bonavista, the Seaport Inn is the ideal haven for sightseeing on the Discovery Trail.
3 nights
St. John's
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harborview offers views of St. Johns Harbour and is located downtown close to many attractions, including the Mile One Centre, St. Johns Convention Center, Johnson Geo Center and the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada.
4 nights
Port Union
The Seaport Inn is conveniently located between the historic communities of Trinity and Bonavista, the Seaport Inn is the ideal haven for sightseeing on the Discovery Trail.
3 nights
St. John's
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harborview offers views of St. Johns Harbour and is located downtown close to many attractions, including the Mile One Centre, St. Johns Convention Center, Johnson Geo Center and the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada.
4 nights
Port Union
The Seaport Inn is conveniently located between the historic communities of Trinity and Bonavista, the Seaport Inn is the ideal haven for sightseeing on the Discovery Trail.
3 nights
St. John's
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harborview offers views of St. Johns Harbour and is located downtown close to many attractions, including the Mile One Centre, St. Johns Convention Center, Johnson Geo Center and the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada.
4 nights
Port Union
The Seaport Inn is conveniently located between the historic communities of Trinity and Bonavista, the Seaport Inn is the ideal haven for sightseeing on the Discovery Trail.
3 nights
St. John's
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harborview offers views of St. Johns Harbour and is located downtown close to many attractions, including the Mile One Centre, St. Johns Convention Center, Johnson Geo Center and the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada.
4 nights
Port Union
The Seaport Inn is conveniently located between the historic communities of Trinity and Bonavista, the Seaport Inn is the ideal haven for sightseeing on the Discovery Trail.
3 nights
St. John's
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harborview offers views of St. Johns Harbour and is located downtown close to many attractions, including the Mile One Centre, St. Johns Convention Center, Johnson Geo Center and the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada.
4 nights
Port Union
The Seaport Inn is conveniently located between the historic communities of Trinity and Bonavista, the Seaport Inn is the ideal haven for sightseeing on the Discovery Trail.
3 nights
St. John's
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harborview offers views of St. Johns Harbour and is located downtown close to many attractions, including the Mile One Centre, St. Johns Convention Center, Johnson Geo Center and the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada.
4 nights
Port Union
The Seaport Inn is conveniently located between the historic communities of Trinity and Bonavista, the Seaport Inn is the ideal haven for sightseeing on the Discovery Trail.
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