KEYSTONE TRAILS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL HIKING TRIP
West Coast of Newfoundland
July 8 - 18, 2024
Join KTA for another spectacular hiking adventure, this time to the awe-inspiring west coast of Newfoundland, Canada’s most unique province. Our sojourn begins in the immense Gros Morne National Park where soaring fjords and moody mountains tower above a diverse panorama of beaches and bogs, boreal forests and barren cliffs. Hike in the Tablelands, one of the only places on the planet where the earth’s mantle is exposed. Climb Gros Morne Mountain, the second-highest in Newfoundland. Explore the beautiful cliffs and coves along the Gulf of St. Lawrence as we hike the Green Gardens Trail, and visit remote lakes, ponds and waterfalls along the Trout River Pond, Bakers Brook and Stuckless Pond Trails. More than 4000 moose call Gros Morne home. Before leaving the park, we will take an unforgettable boat tour up the majestic 10-mile fjord at Western Brook Pond.
From Gros Morne, we follow the coast along the Northern Peninsula to the Viking settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Here archaeologists have uncovered remains of Viking longhouses and numerous original settlement artifacts. Our final destination is magical Quirpon Island, situated on “Iceberg Alley” along the Labrador Strait. With its iconic lighthouse, Quirpon’s former keeper’s house is now a guesthouse reached only by a zodiac raft across the channel from the main island. Quirpon has over 8 miles of tundra hiking trails to explore. Our visit is timed with the peak of the humpback whale migration. Whales and icebergs are frequently spotted and a zodiac raft trip provides the opportunity to safely observe them up close.
A charter bus provides our transportation throughout the trip. Accommodations include guesthouses, cabins, and motels. Daily hikes typically range from 6 to 10+ miles, often on challenging terrain that includes steep ascents and descents, rocks, roots, and mud. Most challenging is Gros Morne Mountain with a strenuous climb of 2600 feet to the summit. Participants must be experienced hikers in good physical condition. The hiking is rigorous, but the rewards are incredible.
A charter bus provides our transportation throughout the trip. Accommodations include guesthouses, cabins, and motels. Daily hikes typically range from 6 to 10+ miles, often on challenging terrain that includes steep ascents and descents, rocks, roots, and mud. Most challenging is Gros Morne Mountain with a strenuous climb of 2600 feet to the summit. Participants must be experienced hikers in good physical condition. The hiking is rigorous, but the rewards are incredible.
The trip organizer and guide is Paul Shaw, former KTA Executive Director and Board President, and former owner of Treks & Trails International. Paul has led 40+ hiking trips to Europe, and North and South America. Previous KTA trips led by Paul include Ireland, Iceland, Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the east coast of Newfoundland, Andorra/Barcelona, and Wales. Paul is ably assisted by Holly Tritt, KTA’s Manager of Communications and Membership.
This is a fundraising hiking trip with all net proceeds benefitting Keystone Trails Association. You are not required to be a KTA member to register.
This is a fundraising hiking trip with all net proceeds benefitting Keystone Trails Association. You are not required to be a KTA member to register.
How to Apply
This trip is limited to 12 participants who will be preliminarily selected by a lottery. To submit your name for the initial drawing, please complete the interest form at www.kta-hike.org/NFinterest by January 15th.
On January 16th, we will randomly select 12 names from the interest form submissions. If you have indicated a roommate, you will both be added if your name is drawn.
If you have been selected, you will be notified and invited to submit your full application and deposit by February 2nd.
If you have not been selected, you will instead be notified that you have automatically been added to a waiting list.
Failure to submit your application and/or deposit by the deadline, or a review of your application that finds your hiking experience or ability to be a poor fit for the trip will forfeit your spot. Any deposit made will be refunded and a substitute name will be drawn.
This trip is limited to 12 participants who will be preliminarily selected by a lottery. To submit your name for the initial drawing, please complete the interest form at www.kta-hike.org/NFinterest by January 15th.
On January 16th, we will randomly select 12 names from the interest form submissions. If you have indicated a roommate, you will both be added if your name is drawn.
If you have been selected, you will be notified and invited to submit your full application and deposit by February 2nd.
If you have not been selected, you will instead be notified that you have automatically been added to a waiting list.
Failure to submit your application and/or deposit by the deadline, or a review of your application that finds your hiking experience or ability to be a poor fit for the trip will forfeit your spot. Any deposit made will be refunded and a substitute name will be drawn.
Cost: $4995 per person double occupancy. Single supplement ($800) will be added if single accommodations are requested and available. Cost includes:
For those interested, limousine service with free parking will be provided round-trip from Harrisburg to Philadelphia Airport on a cost-sharing basis. For more information, contact KTA.
- Round-trip airfare from Philadelphia to Deer Lake NL including luggage fees. Group seating is assigned by the airline.
- All accommodations and meals as stated in the itinerary. All accommodations have private bath except Quirpon Island which has a mix of private and shared baths.
- Guide services.
- All transport after arrival in Deer Lake including airport taxi, charter bus, and zodiac transport to Quirpon Island.
- Day passes to Gros Morne National Park.
- Entry fee to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site.
- Boat excursion on Western Brook Pond Fjord.
- Zodiac whale and iceberg watching tour from Quirpon Island.
- One year membership in Keystone Trails Association.
- Travel insurance / trip cancellation insurance.
- Personal gear (gear list will be sent to you after you register).
- Meals not specified in the itinerary.
For those interested, limousine service with free parking will be provided round-trip from Harrisburg to Philadelphia Airport on a cost-sharing basis. For more information, contact KTA.