Stay in Twillingate

The hike to the Natural Arch in Little Harbour, a 4 km drive out of Twillingate on Route 340. Watch for the sign on the left pointing to Little Harbour. The photos on this page were taken by TA Loeffler on a summer hike to the Arch – a walk along an old overgrown road, past a resettled community, scattered root cellar,  through fields of wild raspberries and blueberries.

Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Chips

View from the Natural Arch

On the Bench.

Along the path.

A Gull at Sunset.

At the Arch

Fence at Sunset.

Beach Treasure

Abandoned home.

Looking through the Arch.

Keefe's Root Cellar

Tags: hike, things to do

Panoramic view of French Beach.

The hike to French Beach opens onto a long, quiet pebble beach surrounded by rocks.  The beach overlooks Durrell’s Arm with Durrell Museum looking back at you from the across the ocean.

Take Twillingate’s Main Street in the direction of Durrell and eventually the road stops at the trail that leads to French Beach and French Head (a bit more than 5 kms from the T-intersection of Route 340 and Main Street).  Four-wheel-drive vehicles can continue on the trail, closer to the beach.  However, there are a few parking spots at the entrance to the trail.

Sign pointing to Cobra Rock

The walk to the beach is about 15 – 20 minutes.  From there the trail continues to French Head and over the Spillar’s (also spelled Spiller’s) Cove beach and Codjack’s Cove if you’re interested in a longer coastal hike. (See hiking map)

In summer wild flowers such as buttercups, irises, chickweed, crackerberries and fireweed create endless carpets of colour along the trail.
 

Keith and Heather Nicol in conjunction with the Central Newfoundland Destination Marketing Organization, created these informative short videos showing the trails that lead from French Beach to Spiller’s Cove and on to Codjack’s Cove.

Tags: day trip, hiking, things to do

Entrance to Top of Twillingate Hike

The hike to the Top of Twillingate delivers the most rewarding views along the way and at the end of this 40 minute hike to the final lookout point.

In total between an hour to hour and a half, this easy to moderate hike follows along a wooded trail with 3 lookout stations before reaching the peak of Twillingate island at 327 ft above sea level, with its 18 ft lookout tower.

This hike starts in the community called Bayview, previously known as Gillard’s Cove. To get to the starting point, drive as if leaving Twillingate onto Route 340. Take the first exit to the right, called Rink Road. Stay on this road until you see the sign at the start of the trail on your right.  There is parking at the start of the hike.

A Hiker Enjoys the View from Lookout 1 on Top of Twillingate trail.

It is a dry trail with some uphill areas and a few hand rails and stretches of board walk to help out. An option is to do the additional loop to the trail on a board walk around Low Mist Pond.

The trail is marked very well and there are washroom facilities at the start of the trail near the trail cabin. In summer a canteen operates at the trail cabin, staffed by students. The area has a few picnic tables and along the trail there is bench seating.

Don’t forget to sign the guest book that is kept at the lookout tower at the peak of the trail.  And why not end the trail off back in Twillingate with fresh fish and chips at JJ’s Fish Market on the deck?

Things to bring:

• Day pack
• Water
• Protection against black flies
• A hat
• A camera

Tags: day trip, hike, things to do

Day Trip

“Hip yer partner Sally Thibeau
Hip yer partner Sally Brown
Fogo Twillingate Moreton’s Harbour
All around the circle…”

Twillingate to Fogo

The Newfoundland “anthem”, I’se the b’y, has immortalized the triangle of Twillingate, Fogo, Morton’s Harbour – All Around The Circle. Much has been happening on Fogo during the past four years, making this a day trip from Twillingate or an overnight stay en-route that is a lovely addition to any itinerary. Through the work of the Shorefast Foundation skills and traditions are being preserved such as boat (punt) building, theatre and art.

Getting There

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Starting in Twillingate, retrace your steps to Route 340 out of town and stay on this route for about 22 kms, turn left onto Route 331 for another 19 kms and then left onto Route 335 (watch for the sign that says “Stoneville/Port Albert”). This route takes you to the ferry terminal at Farewell for the ferry to Change Islands and Fogo.

Newfoundland Pony

Check the ferry schedule in advance. Allow about an hour for the drive to the ferry terminal and another hour and a quarter on the ferry. You’ll want to get to the terminal at least a half hour before departure in summer because the line-up can get long.

Along the route the ferry makes a stop at Change Islands, a scenic island with a few hundred citizens and lots of opportunities for the avid photographer. Change Islands is known for its Newfoundland Pony Refuge – a breeding program aimed at countering the threatening extinction of this native species.

Tilting, Fogo, Joe Batt’s Arm

Don’t underestimate the driving times from the ferry once landed at Stag Harbour. The first community is Seldom and Little Seldom. The main centres on Fogo are the town of Fogo (23 kms from ferry), the community of Tilting (about 32 kms from ferry) and Joe Batt’s Arm (25 kms from ferry; 14 kms from town of Fogo). Tilting is a heritage district that takes pride in its Irish roots – Irish flags, Gaelic names and green clover leaves are dead giveaways! Visit such attractions as the Lane House Museum, the old Post Office, the Dwyer Premises, the Old Irish Cemetery and beautiful Sandy Cove Beach.

A landmark in the town of Fogo is also one of the four corners of the earth, according to the Flat Earth Society: Brimstone Head, accessible after a short, steep hike that delivers astounding vistas.

A helicopter visits.

Our day trip to Fogo took us from the ferry terminal at Stag Harbour to the town of Fogo for an hour’s hike and meander up Brimstone Head. From there we headed to Joe Batt’s Arm for lunch at Nicole’s Café, a gastronomical landmark in the region. In fact, the day we visited, the restaurant was surprised by a large Transport Canada helicopter that first tried to land in front of the cafe and finally perched on the hill behind. Shortly thereafter, a flight crew in flight suits walked in for lunch – apparently breaking for a meal during a training flight in the region…

The afternoon continued with a tour of the island, stopping at a few historic buildings that are being re-purposed as art galleries, artists’ retreats or studios. One such was the St. Simons Anglican Church which now serves as a potter’s studio where artist Julie deRouche was creating the “World’s Largest Cod” which is now displayed as a mural in the Fogo Island Film House. No one was there when we visited, but the doors were open with a sign inviting us in. We browsed around – transported into the world of clay and art.

Barr'd Islands Church

Another local church, Barr’d Islands Church, was being renovated by the Shorefast Foundation, apparently to be used as head quarters for the foundation.

We stopped at a third church, previously a United Church, that currently serves as an art gallery. Unfortunately it was closed at the time, but the view from the front steps alone, made the visit worthwhile.

When planning a trip in summer, check out festivals on Fogo and the theatre schedule.

Day Trip

“Hip yer partner Sally Thibeau
Hip yer partner Sally Brown
Fogo Twillingate Moreton’s Harbour
All around the circle…”

Twillingate to Moreton’s Harbour via Carter’s Cove

The lyrics of the Newfoundland folk tune, I’se the b’y has made a legend of this Twillingate / New World Island touring route.  The first part,  Twillingate – Moreton’s Harbour is a lovely half-day trip.

View Day Trip:Twillingate Moreton’s Harbour in a larger map
Starting out from Twillingate, a twenty-minute drive towards Lewisporte on Route 340 will bring you to the turn-off to Route 345: Carter’s Cove-Moreton’s Harbour-Tizzards Harbour.

Boats in Carter's Cove

Drive through scenic Carter’s Cove and consider hiking the Brownies Cove Trail before continuing to Moreton’s Harbour. The Moreton’s Harbour Museum is managed by the local community and in summer there is a tea room where a “hot mug” and local baked good may be found. The Moreton’s Harbour W.I. Community Museum contains a wide array of wartime artifacts from both world wars, including wedding dresses and telegraph equipment, plus a tribute to the local fishing legacy.

As a protected harbour Moreton’s Harbour is also the perfect choice for the small crafts harbour that is the hub of the local fishing industry.

Moreton’s Harbour to Tizzard’s Harbour

From Moreton’s Harbour, follow the road signs to Tizzard’s Harbour – make sure you keep your camera close by. Then it is time to turn the car back towards Twillingate.

Lobsters at Hillgrade

Freshly cooked lobster and touton.

On route 340 you’ll pass through Hillgrade.  Watch out for the sign that says Sansome and Sons, Lobster Pool… you have found a good spot to pick up lunch or supper.

Pick your live lobster from the pool and have it cooked on site.  You have a choice of taking your catch home with you or to dine on the deck with a beautiful ocean view.

Dildo Run Provincial Park on the way home to Twillingate is another option for a picnic of fresh lobster and fresh air.

Tags: day trips, things to do