Cape Spear Trail, Newfoundland

Cape Spear, Newfoundland is the easternmost point in North America. At sunrise you can face the sea and be the first to feel the sun on your face with the entire continent behind you and nothing but the Atlantic Ocean stretching for miles until it reaches the shores of Ireland. Cape Spear Path is the perfect trail to hike along the edge of our continent and explore the rugged shores of Newfoundland.

There are two sections of the East Coast Trail system that connect to Cape Spear: The Blackhead Path and the Cape Spear Path. We started our hike at Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site and followed the Cape Spear Path. There is free parking available at the historic site and is a great place to start your hike.

After parking at Cape Spear Historic Site, proceed up the hill and past the lighthouse and gift shop. The trail runs near a ridge that heads south from Cape Spear. The trailhead is located at the southern edge of the Cape Spear National Historic Site.  Make sure you first stop and enjoy the view at the iconic red Muskoka chairs set up by Parks Canada!

The Cape Spear Path is 10.3 km one way to Maddox Cove. The trail has a variety of terrain, small hills, long views, boardwalked bog crossings, glacial erratics along the shore and two river crossings. If you visit in late spring or early summer you may see migratory whales and icebergs from the path. If you visit in August like we did, you will be rewarded with a bounty of wild blueberries to keep you going along the long trail!

I would say that Cape Spear Path has the benefit of being one of the flattest and easiest trails of the East Coast Trail system of trails. It is a long out-and-back trail (10.3 km one way) so you may want to choose a turn around point that suits your hiking level and stamina. We did not complete the entire 10.3 km of the trail with the kids. We hiked until tired feet were ready to return back to the car, but we still enjoyed every moment and were in awe of the panoramic vistas!

Our favourite parts of the trail were the wooden boardwalks that crossed over the bog areas. Pitcher plants, the provincial flower of Newfoundland, grow abundantly in the boggy areas and are usually in bloom in May.

There are no official camping spots along the trail, but we did see tents set up along the shore line. So, camping is a possibility! We later asked at the Historic Site office and overnight parking is allowed but the gate is closed at 11pm so there is no access in and out of the park during night hours. This is a spot we may just have to return to with a tent!

Tips for hiking the trail:

• Bring a windbreaker or a light jacket as the wind picks up on the exposed bluffs and can get chilly even on a sunny summer day
• Use the facilities at the historic park before you hit the trails as there are no facilities along the path.
• An alternative access point for the trail is at Maddox Cove. You can park at the pull-off above the beach near the bridge. A East Coast Trail parking lot sign is visible. Follow the road over the bridge and turn right onto a dirt lane. Maddox Cove trailhead is a short distance along this dirt and gravel path. 
• If you go in August, bring a container for picking blueberries!
• If you go in June, bring binoculars for iceberg and whale watching!

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