Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland: Green Gardens Loop
Follow serpentine barrens and stair-steep tracks to a rugged volcanic sea coast.
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Want a smaller bite of Gros Morne than the Long Range Traverse? Try this 10.8-mile overnighter along a cliffy coastline dotted with sea stacks.
From the Long Pond trailhead on Route 431, descend to viewpoints at Old Man’s Cove (mile 2.4), then arrow northeast, alternating between tranquil meadows and steep sidehill track, past secluded beaches and eroded pinnacles. At mile 5.4, cliff-ringed Skinners Cove provides a quiet meadow campsite where Wallace Brook flows into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
From here, follow good trail 3.5 miles upstream along Wallace Brook, past an ankle- to thigh-deep ford, to Wallace Brook trailhead, 1.8 pleasant road-miles from your car. Or return to the start via a less-scenic connector trail (mile 7.2) and another ford of Wallace Brook.
Map NTS quad 012H12; ($16CAD for waterproof versions; 888-545-8111; fedmaps.com)
Contact Gros Morne National Park; (709) 458-2417; pc.gc.ca
Permit Entry $10CAD/person/day; Backcountry $10CAD/person/night
-Mapped by Steve Howe
Trail Facts
- Distance: 14.3
Waypoints
GGN001
Location: 49.490451, -58.077362
Green Gardens trailhead
GGN002
Location: 49.501427, -58.075254
Pass the first junction with the connector trail.
GGN003
Location: 49.504379, -58.090896
Cross bridge. This stream is a good water source.
GGN004
Location: 49.506048, -58.100244
Coastal overlooks
GGN005
Location: 49.507525, -58.099092
Old Mans Cove campsites
GGN006
Location: 49.508781, -58.098679
Optional: Descend stairs down cliff to Old Mans Cove Beach.
GGN007
Location: 49.520873, -58.072279
The Green Gardens campsites are not the best.
GGN008
Location: 49.523421, -58.065439
Water source
GGN009
Location: 49.52482, -58.060077
Steep descent
GGN010
Location: 49.525165, -58.059298
Trail junction
GGN011
Location: 49.527529, -58.055886
Ford Wallace Brook.
GGN012
Location: 49.5281, -58.056486
Skinner Cove Campsite
GGN013
Location: 49.507618, -58.056381
Pass the trail junction with the connector trail.
GGN014
Location: 49.504215, -58.044968
Cross a ridgeline saddle.
GGN015
Location: 49.496852, -58.037496
Cross a suspension bridge over the Wallace Brook.
GGN016
Location: 49.495339, -58.040085
The route ends at the Wallace Brook trailhead.