What To See On The Newfoundland Viking Trail: Chasing History Along The Coast

The Newfoundland Viking Trail offers the perfect combination of history, natural beauty, and fascinating culture. It’s a must see!

Around the year 1,000 CT, long before Columbus sailed the ocean blue, Vikings, sailing west from Iceland or Greenland came upon the shores of Newfoundland. Their settlement on what would become Canada’s easternmost province wouldn’t be uncovered for another millennium. As new settlements and historic sites are discovered, a pathway back in time is opening up, allowing visitors to step through history and experience the Newfoundland Viking Trail.

Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel see all our latest videos!

What is the Newfoundland Viking Trail?

The Newfoundland Viking Trail is a step back in time, taking you from the beginnings of the earth through Native burial grounds to 1,000-year-old Viking settlements all while touring Newfoundland’s glorious west coast. Beginning just outside of Deer Lake, the Newfoundland Viking trail then heads to the incredible UNESCO World Heritage site, Gros Morne National Park. Gros Morne is at the tip of the Appalachian Mountain range. It features glacier-carved valleys, lush wilderness and some of the world’s most incredible geological formations.

Then, the Viking Trail snakes along the western coast of Newfoundland, offering incredible opportunities for whale-watching. The Viking Trail continues up the coast to the northernmost tip of the island of Newfoundland where you can visit the remains of an ancient Native village and the famous Viking settlement of  l’Anse aux Meadows. The route concludes at the town of St. Anthony, where you have the chance of seeing the incredible icebergs that flow through the area during late spring and early summer.

What to see on the Newfoundland Viking Trail?

Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse

Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse on the Newfoundland Viking Trail has more to offer than meets the eye. With trails leading to the rocky shoreline, it’s among the best places in Newfoundland for whale spotting. In fact, we spotted our first whales in Newfoundland from the walkways near Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse! Lobster Cove Head is also a popular spot for catching the beautiful Newfoundland sunsets.

Western Brook Pond

A landlocked fjord, Western Brook Pond is one of the most iconic sites within Gros Morne National Park. Carved out thousands of years ago by retreating glaciers, Western Brook Pond is a haven for those interested in waterfalls and wildlife. The best way to see Western Brook Pond is by boat tour, where you will explore the 16 km length of the lake and see waterfalls cascading 2,000 feet down sheer cliffs.

The Arches Provincial Park

Ancient limestone rocks carved by the Atlantic Ocean helped create the incredible arches at The Arches Provincial Park along the Newfoundland Viking Trail. Not far from Western Brook Pond, The Arches Provincial Park has picnic areas and a rocky beach. You are able to walk through the arches and out into the pounding surf for a powerful experience.

Port Aux Choix National Historic Site

Port aux Choix National Historic Site offers a fascinating glimpse into Canada’s ancient history. On this site, human habitation dates back 6,000 years. Through the ages of Maritime Archaic Indan, Dorset and Groswater Paleoeskimo and more recent Native habitation, humans have made camp on the shores of Port aux Choix to live off of the abundant sea life on its coast. The site features newly uncovered burial sites and relics such as spears and harpoons.

l’Anse aux Meadows

Discovered in 1960, l’Anse aux Meadows was the first site to offer conclusive proof of European presence on North American soil prior to the Columbus excursions of 1492. The site contains the remains of houses, a boat repair building, and workshops. l’Anse aux Meadow was likely used as an exploration camp by Norsemen from larger settlements along the St. Lawrence and New Brunswick.

A visit to l’Anse aux Meadows isn’t complete without seeing the Interpretive centre, where you can gain a full understanding of Newfoundland’s Viking Trail history.

St. Anthony

The Newfoundland Viking Trail comes to a dramatic end in the town of St. Anthony at Newfoundland’s northern tip. St. Anthony deems itself as the Iceberg Capital of the World. During the summer season, icebergs, some of them hundreds of feet long, make their way along the coast of the island of Newfoundland. Many icebergs stop to visit the town of St. Anthony along the way.

As a family travel destination, the Newfoundland Viking Trail offers the perfect combination of history, natural beauty, and fascinating culture. It’s a destination that shouldn’t be missed for anyone looking to visit Canada’s east coast.

Wandering Wagars is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

You May Also Like To Read: