Welcome to the windy, colorful and boisterous capital of Newfoundland. Make your way to your St John's Hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring one of the oldest cities in North America, discovering its bright-painted heritage houses and buildings, restaurants, galleries and antique shops. Your accommodation is also close to the legendary nightlife and live music on George Street. At 5 PM, meet your group and guide in the lobby of your hotel for a brief orientation before enjoying the first of many delicious meals together.

Included Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: Alt Hotel St. John's

After a satisfying breakfast at the hotel, we'll head out for our first adventures as a group. Our first day on the trails in Newfoundland features steep hills, a rugged coastline, and sweeping ocean views, with the chance to spot whales and seabirds, especially in the summer. About halfway from the Biscan Cove trailhead, we'll find an ideal picnic spot and scenic viewpoint called Champs Lookout, where we'll refuel and continue getting to know each other. The trail also passes through prime berry-picking areas and the remnants of the Cape St. Francis Lighthouse (the most northerly point on the East Coast Trail), along with a still-operational helicopter pad. We'll then make our way back to St. John's, where we're free to explore and dine on our own this evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Alt Hotel St. John's
Travel Time: Driving (40-80 minutes)
Daily Activities: Hiking (4-8 hours, 4.3-8.6 miles, 350 feet of elevation gain/loss)

After breakfast this morning, we'll take a short drive to the trail head at Petty Harbour to begin our hike to Cape Spear, the easternmost point of the North American continent aside from Greenland. The Cape Spear Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, and an iconic symbol of the province's maritime history. Originally built in 1836, the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1955 using the active light of the original lighthouse. Today's hike will feature board-walked bog crossings, a variety of terrains, two river crossings and expansive views of deep swells rolling in across the Atlantic. After a delightful day on the trail and some time spent exploring the Cape Spear Lighthouse, we’ll head back to St. John's. Tonight, we're free to find some live music and a restaurant of our choosing.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Alt Hotel St. John's
Travel Time: Driving (40-80 minutes)
Daily Activities: Hiking (3.5-5.5 hours, 6.3 miles, 200 feet of elevation gain/loss)

After a hearty breakfast, we will take on two of the easier sections of the East Coast Trail, ending at the famous brightly-painted saltbox houses in the community of Tors Cove. With its epic views of blue ocean, rocks, field and forest, "the Cribbies" is the most photographed meadow in Newfoundland. It has one of the best views of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, and fairy-tale magic about the place. The trail hugs the shoreline with lovely shore and coastal views all the way to the reserve, which is a sanctuary for puffins and migrating seabirds. The area is also a popular feeding ground for humpback whales, so keep an eye out for tails and breaches. The hike concludes in Beauline East, a charming, picturesque community that preserves the island's rich fishing heritage. After taking a moment to admire the traditional fishing life at the covered dock, where the local culture can be observed from up close, we'll make our way to our next accommodations: a cozy, family-run B&B in Port Kirwan.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Belle Maison
Travel Time: Driving (40-80 minutes)
Daily Activities: Hiking (approx. 6 hours, 10 miles, 100 feet of elevation gain/loss)

Today, sparkling turquoise waters and cliffside boardwalk await us at La Manche Provincial Park. The 164-foot long swaying La Manche suspension bridge is another highlight of the East Coast Trail, crossing a tranquil cove that once serviced a long-abandoned fishing village. We'll continue south along the Flamber Head Path, one of the more remote, underrated sections of the ECT. The trail rolls over wooded hills, headlands and cliff-faces with sweeping coastal views, concluding in the charming little harbor community of Brigus South. The segment of trail approaching Brigus South involves some rugged terrain, but the delicious home-cooked meal waiting for us back in Port Kirwan will be well worth the effort.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Belle Maison
Travel Time: Driving (40-80 minutes)
Daily Activities: Hiking (6-9 hours, 10 miles, 150 feet of elevation gain/loss)

If there's a single photo of our trip that will stop people in their tracks, it will be the massive sea arch at Berry Head, located on the Spurwink Island Path section of the trail. Today, after fueling up with a hearty, home-made breakfast, we'll have the chance to leave our accommodations on foot for an out-and-back hike to the archway. Chunks of the stratified archway continue to fall to the ground below, while the reflecting ocean window is sublime on a summer day. The Berry Head Sea Arch is a sight to see, but throughout our hike we’ll be treated to views of the Ferryland Lighthouse, seabirds, flowers in bloom, wild berries, and we may even see some seals frolicking in the waters below! Back at our B&B, we'll reflect on the day's adventure and share laughs over another fabulous home-cooked meal.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Belle Maison
Daily Activities: Hiking (6-9 hours, 10 miles, 200 feet of elevation gain/loss)

After one last breakfast at our delightful B&B, we'll get comfortable on our drive to Logy Bay, where we'll hop back on the East Coast Trail and make our way to St. John's on foot. The trail features two significant elevation changes of 500 feet. Along the way, we'll enjoy stunning coastal vistas from atop Sugarloaf Head to the north, explore unique rock formations at the Skerries, and take in panoramic 360-degree views of St. John's and Quidi Vidi from the Bawdens Highlands in the south. We might encounter other adventurers, as the hiking trail and biking route, both very well-marked, criss-cross up Bawdens Highland. After crossing White Hills and Bawdens Highland, Quidi Vidi Village offers a range of services for visitors and a community link to Signal Hill National Historic Site. The 575-foot climb up Signal Hill is well worth it to experience this historic viewpoint with impressive views of the city harbor and surroundings. After soaking in the view and reflecting on a wonderful week on the East Coast Trail, we'll walk back to our St. John's hotel. Having ticked off some of the most magnificent hikes in Newfoundland, we'll enjoy one last dinner together and celebrate a week well spent in good company.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Alt Hotel St. John's
Travel Time: Driving (2 hours)
Daily Activities: Hiking (4.5-6.5 hours, 8 miles, 500 feet of elevation gain/loss)

Sadly, we have to say goodbye today. You can plan to leave anytime today.

Included Meals: Breakfast