Newfoundland
Riders have three routing options for Newfoundland:
1. The full traverse of the province from the western shores to glorious finish at Cape Spear. This route relies heavily on the T’Railway (https://trailway.ca/), a decommissioned rail system that once before the time of the Trans Canada highway connected St. John’s on the east to Port Aux Basques on the west coast and opened the interior of the province to resource extraction.
Here is a good trip report of riding the T’Railway: https://thetownbicycle.com/across-newfoundland-by-bike/
Here is a dedicated bikepacking route for the T'Railway: https://bikepacking.com/routes/newfoundland-trailway/
2. Riding to the most northern territory of the province to L’anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, which is the alternative finishing point for the GNBR on Newfoundland. This route makes use of what is known as the Viking Trail. This (mostly paved) route hugs the Western coastline of Newfoundland, bringing you to the Northernmost point. Along the way, you’ll pass through the stunning Gros Morne National Park. The ride from Corner Brook to the Gros Morne is beautifully rugged and on this route expect coastal scenery that you won’t experience on the T’Railway.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to make your way back south from L’anse aux Meadows as there is no reliable public transportation. You can either ride back or hitch a ride. There is an airport in Deer Lake where it’s possible to catch a flight to a few destinations including Toronto.
3. A truncated trip on the island for those who catch the long ferry to Placentia. This is a good option for riders who wish to ride less of the T’Railway or who are short on time to get to the finish line.
For ferry information from Nova Scotia: https://www.marineatlantic.ca/sailing-information/schedule
Make note that the longer ferry to the Argentia terminal in Newfoundland only runs three times a week and stops after the third week of September. This ferry ride is 18 hrs in length.
Highlights Include:
Riding across the province on the car-free T’Railway Provincial Park. It’s rough around the edges but the scenes of the rather untamed wilderness are captivating. The high bogs, Long Range Mountains, and meandering waterways will keep you amused.
A sample of the stellar singletrack network in Corner Brook including one of the best downhill flow trails of the entire GNBR.
A chance to spend a night getting cozy around the wood stove in one of the T’Railways warming huts.
You’ll be embraced by Newfoundland hospitality. It’s one of the most welcoming provinces on the GNBR.
Many of the original bridges of the long abandoned railway still remain in place which are pleasant places to take a moment of rest and soak in the surroundings.
An opportunity to ride through the immense Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you’ll be captivated by its otherworldly Tablelands landscapes, verdant hills, and rugged coastline.
L’anse aux Meadows is a centuries-old Viking settlement with an end-of-the-world feel to it.
The Tough Stuff
The T’Railway trail system can be rough as this rail-grade trail is widely used by ATVs. You will encounter some deep sand, teeth-rattling loose railway ballast, encroaching alders, large and small puddles, and ATV stutter bumps. Those with skinnier tires will struggle more often on this trail. Routing takes riders off of the T’Railway where it makes sense as this provides some much-needed changes in the riding surface. In general, the surface of the trail becomes better the closer you get to St. John’s.
ATV traffic on the T’Railway can be fairly frequent during certain times of year. Most drivers are courteous, but some may not give you much room or slow down as they pass.
While there isn’t that much steep climbing on the T’Railway route, the rail grade riding can feel relentless. The Viking Trail routing option provides more sections of vertical.
If taking the Viking Trail route option, keep in mind that this involves much more paved road riding. Overall, traffic should be moderate to light on the route, but peak tourist season brings busier roads.
Wind can certainly be a wild card when cycling on Newfoundland and slow your progress. The island province is known for its howlers. In general, the prevailing wind is west to east, which is good for GNBR riders, but this is not always the case. A stiff northern wind can bring heartache to those riding the Viking trail.
The weather during the fall riding season can be fickle, to say the least. It’s possible for cool, wet, and windy conditions all in one. Keep this in mind if you are finishing up your GNBR ride in Newfoundland in late September or October. Starting in September it’s possible that the province is at the tail end of tropical storms and hurricanes bringing high winds and precipitation.
Spring and early summer can bring on hoards of pesky bugs.
On some sections of the T’Railway route it’s can be a fair distance between resupply options. There are times you certainly will feel very remote. Study the route file to know where you can get your next candy bar.
Accommodation on these routes is not always frequent. Overall, options are listed on the route file, although this should not be considered exhaustive. Much of the T’Railway is crown land where wild camping is permitted.
You may get eaten by a moose.
If you have any questions about the Newfoundland section of the GNBR please contact us
Images 1-22 courtesy of John Duffett. Images 23-31 courtesy of Marie Savard. Images 32-37 courtesy of Malcolm Simpson
