Visiting the easternmost national park in Canada is a summer highlight for many. This year is different for Newfoundland but Terra Nova National Park remains spectacular. While we can’t take advantage of things like canoe or kayak rentals, oTentiks, or visitor centres this summer, there’s still lots of great hiking available in 2020 at Terra Nova – over 80km of them in fact!
Come explore the magic of the island’s boreal forests, wetlands, and waterways. Whether you choose a short stroll or a multi-day, strenuous trek, everyone can find there own path at Terra Nova National Park.
We recently visited and explored a handful of new-to-us trails we wanted to share with you. Overall, we felt like we had the trails to ourselves and only crossed paths with less than a handful of other hikers. Hiking trails may actually be the best place to physically distance in the whole park.
Which hiking trails are open in Terra Nova?
Updated: July 29, 2020
Which hiking trails are closed in Terra Nova?
For 2020, many hiking trails are operating as one-way loops. Please follow signage and practice social distancing.
Hiking the Campground Trail
Where: Newman Sound campground
Length: 3km / 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
What makes it cool: Great place for moose sightings, bald eagle, spruce grouse, black-backed woodpeckers
Our expectations of the Campground Trail at Newman Sound campground were fairly low at first. We expected a nice little walk through the woods skirting campsites, but not much beyond that, so we were pleasantly surprised by just how beautiful the trail was.
Only in a few spots do you actually see or hear any campsites, instead it’s easy to forget how close you are to civilization. You’ll start near the campground entry with a pleasant woodland path but once the trail emerges out by the water is when it gets really interesting. Keep your eyes out for squirrels, beavers, and moose.
If you get a calm day, the still water on the river is stunning (though it attracts mosquitoes so bring your bug spray) and you can totally imagine a moose crossing your path in the boggy brush. If you’re a photographer, you’ll find lots of interesting angles and the golden hour light is spectacular.
Rest a spell in a pair of the classic red national park Muskoka chairs at the top of a set of stairs and enjoy the scenery. It’s possible to turn this trail into a loop but we ended down by the day use area and then walked back to our campsite via the roadway, making a detour to have a look at the super cool Oasis pod (not available in 2020). All in all this trail stands up to any others in the park for scenery.
Hiking the Louil Hill Trail
Where: Route 310, opposite Traytown Access Road
Length: 3.7km loop / 1-1.5h
Difficulty: Moderate
What makes it cool: Only granite hills in Park, woodpeckers, crossbills, old man’s beard, sheep laurel, spectacular view of Alexander Bay from the look-off
When a hiking trail has “hill” in its name, you expect to have a bit of a challenge on your hands, but in truth, if you skipped the climb to the lookout the walk through the woods itself is relatively easy. However, if you skipped the lookout you’d be skipping the best part of the trail.
From a thick stand of alders, this trail meanders through a grove of insect-damaged fir trees. Locally known as maldow, “old man’s beard” lichen hangs mysteriously from the dead branches. Ferns and sheep laurel also fill the grove.
Around the halfway point is the optional lookout. 139 stairs transport you up from the forest floor and up to the barren hill top of Louil Hill, which will challenge anyone’s fitness but the views at the top are stunning. You can see Traytown, the Eastport peninsula, and some large ponds. There’s a bench where you can rest so pack a snack and have a little lunch with the best view around.
For the summer of 2020, the trail is set up to be a one-way in a counter-clockwise direction so please follow signage.
Hiking the Southwest Arm Trail
Where: One trailhead at Southwest Arm Backcountry campsite, one trailhead at Southwest Brook day use area
Length: 4km out and back / 1-1.5h
Difficulty: Easy
What makes it cool: Mature balsam fir and black spruce forest, brook, estuary, beaver habitat, mosses
This trail connects the Southwest Arm backcountry campsite with the Southwest Brook day use area, creating an out and back walk. Since it’s not a loop the trail is two-way traffic this summer so keep an eye out for oncoming hikers and give each other space.
Coming from the day use area it wasn’t long before we encountered our first overgrown area. We’re not sure if this trail-obscuring tall grass is from lack of trail use or a lack of maintenance but be prepared for a little bushwacking here and there. Nothing so major as to lose the trail but you’ll have to wade through some waist deep foliage in a few places.
The trail skirts along Southwest Brook which makes for a lovely, calming backdrop to your hike. Try to make friends with the multiple squirrels you’re almost guaranteed to see. Stop for a selfie on the suspension bridge. Let us know if you spot a loon nesting in the brook (is it real? A decoy? We couldn’t tell.)
Overall the trail is a mix of wood floor (watch out for roots and moose poop) and boardwalk without any major elevation changes, making for an easy stroll.
Hiking the Sandy Pond Trail
Where: Sandy Pond beach
Length: 3km loop / 1h
Difficulty: Easy
What makes it cool: Wet in spots, beavers, pitcher plants, ferns, orchids, mushrooms, caribou
This was perhaps the easiest of the four trails we tried this summer. Sandy Pond is a popular place for families to kayak, canoe, and lounge on the sandy beach. The shallow water of the pond means that it’s much warmer than it’s ocean counterpart any time in summer.
The hiking trail here runs in a counter-clockwise loop for 2020 to help with physical distancing. It’s a mix of gravel path and boardwalk and is very flat. It takes you through stands of mature black spruce and then around the wetlands that surround the pond. You never know when you’ll spot a moose here.
Be sure to stop at the information panels to learn about the large number of wildlife, birds, and insects that make this area home. If you’re looking for a leisurely stroll to complete your day at the beach, definitely check out this trail.
