Cobbler Path on Newfoundland’s rugged Atlantic coastline takes you past towering cliffs and headlands, dramatic shorelines, and offers seasonal views of icebergs and whales. It is one of 25 wilderness paths that make up the East Coast Trail, a network of 336 km of trails along the eastern most coast of the continent. Cobbler Path is not to be missed if you are visiting Newfoundland and want to explore the wild Atlantic coast.
How To Get to Cobbler Path in Newfoundland
There are two access points to reach the trail: Red Cliff and Outer Cove. To reach Red Cliff Cove, turn off of Marine Dr. onto Red Cliff Rd. and follow until you reach the gate at Logy Bay. To reach Outer Cove, park at the end of Doran’s Lane in the small gravel parking area right at the trail head.
Cobbler Path Trail Description
Cobbler Path was once called Red Cliff Path but was renamed after it was officially included as part of the East Coast Trail. It is named after Cobbler Brook, a small stream half way along the trail that leads out to Shooting Point Cove.
The trail is 4.4 km excluding side trails and access trails from parking areas, but there are a few different ways to explore the trail. Since the trail is not a loop, it can be accessed from either end as an out and back trail or you can choose to do small portions of the trail.
The highlight of the trail is Torbay Point with its windswept sweeping views along a rugged finger of rock jetting out into the Atlantic. You can most easily access Torbay Point from the Outer Cove parking lot. It is is an easy 2km out and back hike from the parking lot to Torbay Point.
From Torbay Point, the trail follows the rugged, cliff faced coastline towards Shooting Point Cove. There are wild blueberries that line the trail in exposed sections. These are in season mid to late August, so make sure you leave time for some blueberry picking along the way! In spring and early summer, you will most likely see floating icebergs and possibly whales from the trail as well.
What Are The Views Like?
Coastal views with the potential for iceberg and whale watching are what make this trail so spectacular. The trail at Torbay Point offers the most stunning views, but there are so many other places that are worth stopping for those glorious ocean views! The trail weaves its way in and out of the trees as it heads from Torbay Point down to Shooters Cove and Cobblers Hole, but there are openings in the trees here and there that offer great views.
During the whale migration, you can easily see whales as you look straight down the cliff face out towards the ocean. At Torbay Point and Cobblers Hole you can climb down lower to the shore to take a closer look as well.
If you choose to extend your hike from Red Cliff, there is a lookout point from a WWII bunker that offers great views and a bit of history.
Looking for more trails to explore along Newfoundland’s rugged coastline? Check out our hiking guide to Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America!
Thinking of visiting Newfoundland? Why not pin it for later!
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