The East Coast Trail (ECT) is a long-distance coastal footpath located in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a developed trail over long,"Frequently Asked Questions" East Coast Trail Association the creation of which began in 1994. It is made up of 25 linked wilderness paths and passes through more than 30 communities. (The ECT formerly had 26 paths, but the short "Mudder Wet Trail" was added to the "Spurwink Island Trail" in 2020, making 25 paths.) It was named one of the best adventure destinations by National Geographic in 2012 and is extended and improved yearly.
Maintained by the East Coast Trail Association and located primarily on public lands, the trail follows the east coast of Newfoundland, along the Atlantic Ocean. The path passes through many small coastal outports (villages) in the bays of the Avalon Peninsula. It runs from Topsail Beach, north to Cape St. Francis, then south through St. John's, and continues south as far as Cappahayden. It is intended that the trail will eventually be extended to Trepassey in the south and across to Placentia in the west (from Ferryland)."East Coast Trail" Rough Guide
The trail also passes several National historic sites, including Signal Hill, St. John's, Cape Spear (the easternmost point in North America, not including Greenland), and Ferryland, the site of the 17th-century Colony of Avalon. It also passes through La Manche and Chance Cove Provincial Parks. There are seasonal views of icebergs, birds, whales, other marine and plant life, and eight historic lighthouses along the path. The individual sections of the trail range in hiking time from a few hours to a full day. There are some designated camping spots along the trail, though most walkers use local accommodation.
History The Trail officially began in 1994 "when a group of hiking enthusiasts started the construction of a coastal trail" that would make use of existing traditional trails that linked local communities along the coast of the Avalon Peninsula. By the end of 1994, the volunteers had constructed the first 25 km of the trail, north and south of St. John's. The following year the East Coast Trail Association was incorporated and it was subsequently registered as a charity. By 1996, the Trail had grown to 125 km and had reached and restored "The Spout", a natural geyser and major attraction at the centre of the Trail. The initial plan "was to build and maintain" a long distance coastal footpath from Topsail Beach to Trepassey and in 1997 the Association obtained funds from the Federal Government to develop this 220 km trail."Sustaining the East Coast Trail: A Strategic Plan 2013-2017, East Coast Trail Association, p. 3
In September 2001, 212 km of the trail was officially opened from Fort Amherst in St. John's to Cappahayden in the south and the East Coast Trail Association had grown to 700 members."East Coast Trail", Trail Peak, 2001 Subsequently, the route was extended north from St. John's. The last section between Topsail Beach and Portugal Cove was opened with upgraded trails and signage in 2020.ECT Association
The final goal is "540 km of coastal and inland trail", which will include the completion of the trail between Capperhayden and Treppassey, and side trails from Ferryland, namely the 90 kilometres D'Iberville Trail, crossing the Avalon Wilderness Reserve from Ferryland to Placentia, connecting Lord Baltimore's Colony of Avalon to Castle Hill, Placentia and the 30 kilometres Masterless Men Path, an inland route stretching all the way to the Butterpot, linking Ferryland and Renews.ECTAConstitution Ratified September 28, 2016 ECT Constitution
The D'Iberville Trail is named after the French explorer and soldier Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. The Masterless Men trail takes its name from "a legendary outlaw society (fl late 18th, early 19th centuries ... [of] men escaping press gangs, Royal Navy deserters and runaway indentured servants from Newfoundland fishing plantations who fled inland to escape their harsh life. ... said to have inhabited the wild Butter Pot barrens of the Avalon Peninsula".Masterless men of Newfoundland, Canadian Encyclopaedia
Route The 25 paths of the East Coast Trail are broken down into three main sections: North of St. John's; St. John's to La Manche and the southern end from La Manche to Cappahayden. All timings below are for a one-way hike.
Topsail Beach to St John's The northern end of the trail follows the south coast of Conception Bay as far as Cape St. Francis and then turns south. Although the paths on the northern end are close to St. John's and its suburbs, they traverse wilderness clifftop plateaus and involve many steep climbs, some requiring the use of fixed ropes.
Long Shore Path (Topsail Beach - Portugal Cove) A moderate to difficult path that takes 6 to 8 hours. This path has been opened and is scheduled for completion by August 2020. It passes through St. Thomas, St. Philips, and Beachy Cove. Regular ferry service to Bell Island from Portugal Cove.Town of Portugal Cove-St. Phillips
Piccos Ridge Path (Portugal Cove - Bauline) A 14.5-kilometre (9.0 mi) strenuous hike on high, open ground, of 7–8 hours. This path is considered undeveloped with minimal structures. The path has been cut and signed. There are long stretches of exposed trail so caution is advised. Exercise caution in all areas, especially on the steep north slope of Black Cliff.
White Horse Path 18.2 km (Bauline - Cape St. Francis) A strenuous hike, 8–10 hours. This is still an undeveloped path with steep ascents and descents and wetland crossings, so caution is advised. Wilderness Patch Brook campsite.
Biscan Cove Path (Cape St. Francis - Pouch Cove) A hike, of moderate difficulty, about 2–4 hours. The route can be challenging with steep hills.
Stiles Cove Path (Pouch Cove - Flatrock) A hike of moderate difficulty. It takes 5–7 hours to complete. There are various access point. Swimming and picnic areas. "Pouch Cove, East Coast Trail sign protective MOU",Telegram 22 November 2018
Father Troy's Trail (Flatrock - Torbay) An easy hike, 2–4 hours, that follows the old cart road between the two communities and is "one of the few old roads on the Avalon to have retained its pre-automotive character".Peter Gard and Bridget Neame Trails of the Avalon, p. 37. It features a stony beach, Tappers Cove wharf and mural and the Beamer, a rock formation. There is a less difficult inland alternatives at Church Cove."Trails", Town of Torbay
Silver Mine Head Path (Torbay - Outer Cove)
A easy hike, of 1–2 hours. Features Middle Cove beach park and views to Torbay point and Flatrock.
Cobblers Path (Outer Cove to Logy Bay)
A hike of moderate difficulty, that takes 3–4 hours. It is a popular, partially boarded hike that features "The Cobbler" (a five finger-like rock formation), the remains of a Pinetree Line radar station and seasonal whale watching.
Sugarloaf Path (Logy Bay - Quidi Vidi Village) A hike that is at times difficult and takes 3–5 hours. It has varied terrain and features Sugarloaf Head and dramatic cliff face rock formations. It also provides view of St. John's and Quidi Vidi."East Coast Trail (Logy Bay to Quidi Vidi)", Club Tread A short section skirts the edge of the St. John's city dump where trees full of windblown plastic debris are known as the "Plastic Forest"."Volunteers Tidy Up East Coast Trail", CBC News, August 2, 2010
City of St. John's: Quidi Vidi to Fort Amherst The official ECT map shows a route through St John's via Cuckold's Cove, Cabot Tower, Signal Hill and The North Head Trail to The Battery. In addition The Grand Concourse Trailway system offers a choice of possible routes to Downtown St John's.Grand Concourse map From St John's to Fort Amherst, the ECT map again offers guidance. The route goes around the harbour, with a short-cut across a bridge across from the Railway Coastal Museum.Peter Gard and Libby Creelman, "Map", Hiking the East Coast Trail: Fort Amherst to Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove. St John's, NL: East Coast Trail Association, 2008 Amongst the attraction's found in St John's are boat trips to view icebergs, and whales; The Rooms; Quidi Vidi Lake; Memorial University's Botanical Garden; the Johnson Geo Centre, a geological interpretation centre located on Signal Hill; historic Downtown, including the Basilica, St John's and Anglican Cathedral, St John's. There is also the Grand Concourse's extensive network of hiking trails within the city, and around its lakes, along its rivers, and through other open spaces.
St John's to La Manche The middle section follows long, remote sections of coastline, the most easterly coast of North America, intersection a few towns such as Bay Bulls along Route 10, known as the Irish Loop, because the communities were mainly sealed by Irish immigrants.
Deadmans Bay Path (Fort Amherst - Blackhead) A moderate to difficult route that takes 5–8 hours. There are path features side trails that can increase distance and time. There are steep ascents and descents. The route passes the Fort Amherst lighthouse, the former settlement of Freshwater, and a barachois with remains of the Vasco d'Orey shipwreck. The Nature Conservancy of Canada has a reserve at Freshwater."NCC protects 98 hectares in Freshwater Bay", NCC There are also seasonal swimming holes, berry grounds and bird nesting views. There are side trails to this path from Shea Heights and the Cape Spear Road.Peter Gard and Libby Creelman, "Map", Hiking the East Coast Trail: Fort Amherst to Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove. St John's, NL: East Coast Trail Association, 2008
Cape Spear Path (Blackhead - Maddox Cove) A path of moderate difficulty that takes 4–6 hours. The trail includes side trails. The path varies in terrain and features a nature conservancy area, Cape Spear National Historic Site, a lighthouse, a museum, and whale watching. The lighthouse Cape Spear is Newfoundland and Labrador's oldest surviving lighthouse and "has been restored to its 1839 appearance and visitors are able to see what it would have been like for a lighthouse keeper and his family to live there in the mid-19th century".Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (See also the Blackhead Path a path between the small community of Blackhead and Cape Spear, that is easy to moderate in difficulty. It takes 1–2 hours to complete. The path is very exposed to the weather so caution is advised. Cabot Tower can be seen across the sea and the path ends at Cape Spear National Historic Site with its historic lighthouse).
Motion Path (Petty Harbour - Shoal Bay Road) Walk through the two communities to the start in Petty Harbour. A that is moderate to difficult. It takes 7–9 hours. There are steep ascents and descents on this "wild and exposed coastal trail".Peter Gard and Bridget Neame Trails of the Avalon, pp. 75-6. A access path along Shoal Bay Road from the highway.
Spout Path (Shoal Bay Road - Bay Bulls) This path marks the halfway pint of the East Coast Trail. It is a long and hilly path that is difficult to strenuous. It takes 5–8 hours. The path passes the Spout, a geyser, historic lighthouses, waterfalls, sea cliffs and sea stacks. The trail can be accessed via Shoal Road () from the highway, but is otherwise remote with no "bailout" points. "Discover The East Coast Trail"August 10, 2018 Newfoundland Herald
Mickeleens Path (Bay Bulls - Witless Bay) A walk of easy to moderate difficulty that takes 2–4 hours. The terrain varies from woods, meadows and cliffs. The seabird islands of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, such as Gull Island and Pee Pee Island, can be seen. The Reserve contains North America´s largest Atlantic puffin colony. and the world's second-largest colony of Leach's storm-petrels. There are red sandstone cliffs, and views of coves, sea stacks, gulches.