What Hikes Can I Do?

Every trail in and around St. John's — with distances, start/end points, difficulty, and whether you need a second car.

We Hike Together

The St. John's Hike Club is built for everyone. Browse by difficulty, or scroll down to explore every trail in the area — including self-guided options you can do any time on your own.

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Easy Strolls & Nature Walks
2–7 km Minimal Elevation Under 2 Hours

Flat or gently rolling trails with breathtaking coastal scenery. Perfect for beginners, families, or anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors without a major workout.

✓ Ideal for: All ages, newcomers, photography lovers, dog walkers
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Moderate Day Hikes
5–10 km Moderate Climbs 2–4 Hours

Some inclines and uneven terrain with sweeping ocean views as your reward. Great for building trail fitness and exploring more diverse coastal landscapes.

✓ Ideal for: Regular walkers, fitness enthusiasts, those building trail legs
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Challenging Treks
10+ km Steep Climbs 4–8 Hours

Significant elevation, rugged terrain, and longer distances. The payoff: panoramic views from some of Newfoundland's most dramatic coastal cliffs and headlands.

✓ Ideal for: Experienced hikers, endurance training, peak chasers
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Themed & Special Events
Distance Varies All Welcome Community Focus

Dog hikes, swim days, blueberry festivals, and seasonal specials. Hiking with a community twist — unforgettable outings that go beyond the trail.

✓ Ideal for: Families, socializers, those seeking something different

East Coast Trail Sections

Over 300 km of maintained trail along Newfoundland's rugged coastline. These are the sections closest to St. John's — filter by difficulty to find yours.

Cobbler Path
Point-to-Point
Easy 2.6 km Minimal Elevation ~1 hr 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Outer Cove End: Torbay Point · ~18 km from city
Torbay Point ocean views, WWII coastal bunkers, Red Cliff lookout, boardwalks through wet sections. Dog-friendly.
Silver Mine Head Path
Point-to-Point
Easy 3.8 km 155m gain 1–2 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Middle Cove End: Torbay · ~15 km from city
Coastal meadows, bridge over North Pond Brook, prime whale watching territory in season. One of the most accessible ECT sections.
Mickeleens Path
Point-to-Point
Easy 4.9 km ~150m gain 1.5–2.5 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Bay Bulls End: Mickeleens · ~30 km from city
Gentle trail through tuckamore forest with coastal meadows and sweeping ocean views. One of the most relaxed ECT sections — great for beginners venturing further afield.
Beaches Path
Point-to-Point
Easy 7 km Minimal Elevation 2–3 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Witless Bay End: Mobile · ~35 km from city
Gentle shoreline walk with direct beach access. Witless Bay Ecological Reserve visible offshore — one of the best spots in the world to see Atlantic puffins (May–Aug). Mobile Beach picnic area at the end.
Tinkers Point Path
Out & Back
Easy–Moderate 9.3 km return ~100m gain 2–3 hrs ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Mobile (Central High School parking) · ~40 km from city
Cribbies Meadow — one of the most photographed coastal meadows in Newfoundland. Peak whale watching territory with Witless Bay Reserve offshore. Accessible from one parking spot — no shuttle required.
Deadmans Bay Path
Point-to-Point
Moderate 5.3 km ~120m gain 1.5–2.5 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Torbay End: Flatrock · ~15 km from city
Rolling coastal terrain with dramatic cliff views. Stunning pebble beach at the turnaround. One of the most scenic shorter sections of the northern ECT — close to the city.
Father Troy Trail
Point-to-Point
Easy–Moderate ~5–6 km ~100m gain 2–3 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Flatrock End: Outer Cove · ~20 km from city
Beginner-friendly coastal classic — one of the most accessible ECT sections close to the city. Great first introduction to trail hiking with easy-going terrain and ocean views throughout.
Goat Cove Path
Point-to-Point
Moderate 6.4–6.6 km ~130m gain 1.5–2.5 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Portugal Cove–St. Phillips End: Goat Cove · ~20 km from city
Forest, coastal views, rolling hills, rope descents, and a beautiful waterfall at the cove turnaround. Waterproof boots strongly recommended — roots, mud, and some cliff-edge sections.
Cape St. Francis Path
Point-to-Point
Moderate 5.7 km ~200m gain 2–3 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Cape St. Francis End: Flatrock · ~30 km from city
Towering cliffs, deep gulches, sea caves, and dramatic rock formations. One of the most visually striking sections of the northern ECT. Watch for ice early in the season.
Blackhead Path
Point-to-Point
Moderate ~6 km ~200m gain 2–3 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Blackhead Rd End: Maddox Cove · ~10 km from city
Rugged exposed headlands and dramatic cliff scenery on the ECT just south of the city. Close to Cape Spear. Best combined with adjacent sections for a longer day.
Cape Spear Path
Point-to-Point
Moderate 9.3 km ~260m gain 4–6 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Blackhead Rd End: Maddox Cove · ~12 km from city
Hike to the most easterly point in North America — Cape Spear National Historic Site. Canada's oldest surviving lighthouse, cliff-edge trails, whale watching, and icebergs in spring. Exposed and windswept — bring layers.
Chance Cove Path
Loop
Moderate 3.2–3.5 km ~100m gain 1–1.5 hrs ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Chance Cove Provincial Park · ~80 km from city
Hidden coves, lookout points, sea caves, and two beautiful beaches. Optional rope descent to Big Cove for the adventurous. Recently upgraded with steps and stairs. Worth the drive south.
La Manche Path
Point-to-Point
Moderate ~10 km ~150m gain 3–5 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: La Manche Provincial Park End: Brigus South · ~55 km from city
La Manche's iconic suspension bridge over the river gorge and the flooded remains of the abandoned village. Sea stacks, cliffs, and coastal scenery heading south. One of the most photographed spots on the entire ECT.
Sugarloaf Path
Point-to-Point
Hard 10 km ~181m gain 3–5 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Ocean Sciences Centre (Marine Dr) End: Quidi Vidi Village · In St. John's
A club favourite. Nesting bald eagles, sweeping ocean views, dramatic rugged terrain with multiple significant climbs. Ends at Quidi Vidi Village — post-hike social at QV Brewery is a tradition. Park at Cadet Rd, carpool to start.
Biscan Cove Path
Point-to-Point
Hard 7 km 560m gain 3–5 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Cape St. Francis End: Freshwater River · ~30 km from city
Five significant climbs with steep sections make this one of the ECT's biggest workouts. Rewards with forest climbs, exposed summits, and a massive waterfall bursting into the ocean at Freshwater River. Not to be underestimated.
Motion Path
Point-to-Point
Hard 13.8 km 510m gain 5–8 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Petty Harbour End: Motion Head · ~15 km from city
One of the great ECT challenges. Forest sections give way to explosive coastal views with rolling headlands leading to Motion Head. Sweeping panoramas of the open Atlantic. Point-to-point — car shuttle required.
Spout Path
Point-to-Point
Strenuous 16.5 km Significant 6–9 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Petty Harbour End: Bay Bulls · ~15 km from city
The Spout — a wave-action geyser where ocean pressure forces water through coastal rock. One of the most spectacular natural features on the entire ECT. Long, rugged, and remote. Primitive campsite at the midpoint makes this a great two-day adventure. Advanced hikers only.
Maddox Cove to Petty Harbour
Point-to-Point
Hard ~12 km ~400m gain 4–6 hrs 🚗 2 Cars Needed
Start: Maddox Cove End: Petty Harbour · ~12 km from city
A rugged and challenging section south of Cape Spear with significant climbs, exposed clifftops, and stunning Atlantic views. Links well with the Cape Spear section for a very long day.

City & Area Trails

Great trails you can do any day on your own — from quick urban loops in the city to half-day adventures in the surrounding region. No shuttle needed for most of these.

Signal Hill / North Head Trail
Loop
Easy–Moderate ~5 km ~140m gain 1.5–2 hrs ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Signal Hill NHS parking · In St. John's
Iconic St. John's hike. Cabot Tower, WWII gun batteries, panoramic views of the Narrows, harbour, and Atlantic. The North Head Trail is particularly dramatic. Can be done year-round — gets busy on weekends.
Long Pond Rotary Trail
Loop
Easy 5.2 km Flat ~1 hr ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Long Pond, St. John's · In St. John's
Flat lakeside loop popular for walking, running, and dogs. Multiple access points from around the pond. Urban trail with a natural feel — a great option any day of the week, any time of year.
Three Ponds Barrens
Loop
Easy Variable Minimal 1–3 hrs ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Three Ponds Barrens trailhead · ~20 km from city
Open tuckamore barrens with pond views and wide open skies. Dog-friendly and great for a casual wander. Trail network lets you choose your own distance. Popular with families and those seeking a peaceful afternoon outdoors.
Pippy Park / Freshwater River Trail
Loop
Easy 4–8 km Flat–Gentle 1–2 hrs ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Pippy Park, St. John's · In St. John's
Extensive trail network through one of the largest urban parks in North America. Multiple routes along Freshwater River, through forest and meadow. Great for beginners, families, and year-round walking.
Windsor Lake Trail
Loop
Easy ~8 km Minimal 1.5–2.5 hrs ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Windsor Lake trailhead · ~10 km from city
Peaceful forested loop around one of St. John's main water reservoirs. Well-maintained path through mature boreal forest with lake views throughout. Great for a relaxed mid-week hike or trail run.
Bidgood's Park (Goulds)
Loop
Easy Variable Minimal 1–2.5 hrs ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Bidgood's Park, Goulds · ~20 km from city
Easy, dog-friendly loop trails through forest and meadow in the Goulds area. A peaceful spot away from the city — great for a casual Sunday morning or with four-legged friends. Multiple trail lengths available.
Butter Pot Provincial Park
Loop
Moderate ~6 km ~200m gain 2–3 hrs ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Butter Pot Provincial Park · ~50 km from city
Summit hike to the top of Butter Pot Hill — one of the best panoramic views in the Avalon Peninsula. 360° views of barrens, ponds, and forest. Loop trail through the provincial park. Great for a half-day adventure.
Salmonier Nature Path
Loop
Easy 4 km Flat ~1.5 hrs ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Salmonier Nature Park · ~75 km from city
Accessible boardwalk and trail loop through boreal forest and wetlands at Salmonier Nature Park. Home to captive wildlife including caribou, moose, lynx, and otters. Ideal family outing — combine trail with the free nature park.
Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve
Out & Back
Easy ~1.5 km Minimal ~30 min walk ✓ No Shuttle
Start & End: Cape St. Mary's Visitor Centre · ~165 km from city (day trip)
Short walk to one of North America's most accessible seabird colonies — thousands of Northern Gannets nesting on Bird Rock. Also home to murres, razorbills, and black-legged kittiwakes. Make a full day trip — stunning coastal cliffs and wildlife spectacle unlike anything else in NL.

Tips for New Hikers

2 Cars for Point-to-Point

Many ECT sections are one-way. You'll need one car at the start and one at the end — or carpool and return together. SJHC always coordinates this for club hikes.

Layer Up

Newfoundland weather changes fast. Always bring a rain jacket and an extra layer, even on sunny days. Coastal exposure makes it colder than the forecast suggests.

Waterproof Boots

Most ECT sections have boggy, muddy, or wet sections year-round. Waterproof hiking boots are strongly recommended for anything other than city trails.

Download Offline Maps

Many trailheads have no cell service. Download the AllTrails map or the ECT app before you leave. The ECT is well-marked but it's always good to have a backup.

Hike With Us on the Next One

All logistics sorted — no need to find a second car. Just show up and we handle the rest.

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