Our Newfoundland Viking Bike Tour in Canada well suited to energetic explorers for the sheer joy of traveling through such a wild and exciting landscape.
Duration
PriceOur Newfoundland Viking Bike Tour in Canada well suited to energetic explorers for the sheer joy of traveling through such a wild and exciting landscape.
Riding with the prevailing wind through picturesque fishing villages, you will encounter people whose unabashed friendliness is truly extraordinary.
You will bike and hike in Gros Morne National Park where the incomparable landscape and unique natural history have earned it a place on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Hike to the top of Gros Morne Mountain and take a boat into a fjord akin to those of Norway. You will visit the 1000 year old site where the Vikings landed and settled long before Columbus, at L’Anse aux Meadows (another UNESCO World Heritage Site). While you enjoy the landscape, the wildlife, the people and the history, your comfortable support van will always be nearby. This is one of our favourite trips and we hope you can come to see why.
Day 1
Introductions and bike into Gros Morne National Park. Long: Up to 76km / Short: 41km to kick start the Newfoundland Viking Bike Tour.
From Deer Lake, bike past the Newfoundland insectarium and the Wiltondale Pioneer Village en route to lunch near the entrance to . Spend the afternoon riding the hilly and exhilarating approach to the shore of Bonne Bay, finishing in the tiny fishing village of Norris Point. LD
(Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Note: Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
Neddie's Harbour Inn, or,
Sugar Hill Inn; Norris Point
Day 2
Riding the Tablelands, plus hiking options 38km or 111km
Begin the day with a ferry to Woody Point and bike to Trout River for lunch overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence. On the way, stop at the Discovery Centre to learn about the fascinating geographical history of the Tablelands. You can take a steep one-hour hike up Partridgeberry Hill along the Lookout Trail, or continue on and take a short hike through the Tablelands. Continue cycling to Trout River, passing the geological curiosity of the Tablelands. After an afternoon exploring the Tablelands or Green Gardens, return to Woody Point for your water taxi across Bonne Bay, or a van transfer to Norris Point. If you want a long ride, you can ride the thrilling hills around the shore of Bonne Bay. BLD
Same lodging
Day 3
Hike Gros Morne Mountain 14km/8 h; 806m/2645ft
Hike to the top of Gros Morne Mountain where caribou are sometimes seen roaming the Long Range Mountains. This is a difficult eight-hour hike rewarded (weather permitting) by phenomenal views over Ten-Mile Pond, the Long Range Mountains, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Return to your inn to freshen up before exploring independent dinner options in Rocky Harbour – a pretty community with gorgeous sunsets! BL
Same lodging
Day 4
Bike to Western Brook Pond - 2 h boat tour and cycling 58km or 90km (based on lodging)
Morning bike ride north through Gros Morne to take a fascinating afternoon boat trip up the fjord at Western Brook Pond (in Newfoundland, even the largest lakes are usually called ponds). Continue by bicycle to Cow Head where a coastal hike reveals and abundance of fossils and a record of marine life through the ages. Return to your village for an evening with colourful Newfoundland characters. BLD
Entente Cordiale, Portland Creek; or,
Sunrise Cottages, Parsons Pond
Day 5
The long ride north. Up to 283km (177mi; for most, this ride is vehicle assisted)
A very long ride today, assisted (we hope!) by the prevailing tailwind and the wide flat road leading you north. Most cyclists will accept a boost or two from the van while others will be determined to complete the entire ride. Either way, following an evening of fresh local cuisine, you’ll rest well tonight at your lodge in its fabulous wilderness setting near the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. This scenic retreat is well out of the way; be prepared to enjoy comfort in the northern wilderness! BLD
Valhalla Lodge, L'Anse aux Meadows; or
Burnt Cape Cabins, Raleigh
Day 6
L’Anse aux Meadows, Zodiac boat trip and Quirpon Island 10km
Arise early this morning to visit the profoundly stirring site of L'Anse aux Meadows, where Vikings landed more than five centuries before Columbus. Believed to be Leif Eriksson's Vinland of the Norse sagas, this is the site of the birth of the first European descendant in the New World: "Snorri". The archaeological and historical significance of L’Anse aux Meadows has earned it recognition by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site; it does not disappoint. You will hear sagas of ancient times and hardy people who sailed forbidding seas to inhabit this wild and beautiful place. You can also visit Norstead, and experience life in a Viking port of trade in a setting described as one of Canada's top ten local experiences. After lunch, a 90 minute boat trip* will take you through iceberg alley to Quirpon Island Lighthouse. You will learn about the shipwrecks, history, and natural attractions, often sighting whales and icebergs. Your destination is a private island with fantastic coastal trails, wide views, and an exceptional lighthouse lodge. You may even find ruins of unexcavated Viking sod houses. Overall, this is a magical experience, often considered the highlight of this trip. BLD
*Please note a 25 pound luggage restriction for today's boat trip to the island.
Quirpon Island Lighthouse, Quirpon
Day 7
Farewell (5h transfer back to Deer Lake)
Following breakfast, board your boat to return to mainland for a transfer back to Deer Lake, arriving by about 17:00. There are late afternoon flights from St. Anthony airport to St. John’s, as an often p
Login
Register
