Best Place, Best Hike

Best Place to Explore

BY LISA WALSH- FOUNDER, ISC THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

I love going home every season and its amazing how the seasons bring a new perspective and if you are willing to work for it... great gifts from the land. Labrador Tea picked late in the Fall and Winter is the best for a soothing nighttime tea. Berry picking is fun but hard work if you going to keep up with the pros like my Aunt Patsy who is the fastest berry picker in NL!

PHOTO CREDIT: FRANCIE BROADERS RIGGS

Bay de Verde and surrounding areas

About 2 hours and 15 minutes outside of St. John ’ s driving out the Baccalieu Trail is one of NL’ s most picturesque towns, Bay de Verde, settled in 1662 Bay de Verde is the northernmost community in Conception Bay and has a base population of approximately 400 residents. The first recorded inhabitants at Bay de Verde arrived in 1662. Bay de Verde became an incorporated town in 1950. My grandfather, Patrick Noonan, was its first Mayor.

Interesting People from Bay de Verde...

Andrew Doyle - a local hero. Andrew was instrumental in effecting the rescue of John LeGrow of the tugboat Taskall off St. John ’ s on October 10, 1984. He received the Commissioner ’ s Commendation from the Canadian Coast Guard

Gerald Riggs - A local retired teacher and historian who has pursued the preservation of Bay de Verde's culture and heritage. Gerald is an author and was responsible for the creation of "Heritage House. " He has devoted much of his life to making Bay de Verdea better place and preserve our history.

E K I H T S E B

BY JULIA PENNEY - BUSINESS MANAGER, EAST COAST TRAIL ASSOCIATION

EXPLORE 25 WILDERNESS PATHS ALONG NORTH AMERICA’S EASTERNMOST COASTLINE. The East Coast Trail unites genuine wilderness hiking with richly historic communities. One of our favourites begins on Topsail Beach. Long Shore Path winds 17.2 kilometres from Topsail Beach to Portugal Cove along the pristine Avalon coastline. This path features the beloved Topsail Bluff Lookout side trail completed in August 2021.

Long Shore Path also features beautiful Goat Cove Brook and a waterfall at Beachy Cove. Continuing along the path, hikers will climb Princes Ridge and enjoy the beautiful vistas of Conception Bay and especially Bell Island. With five access points, Long Shore Path allows hikers to complete the total 17.2 km length in one day or break their hike into smaller hiking segments. This path is rated moderate to difficult, and hikers completing the full length should allow 6 to 8 hours to complete. Full path maps are available for purchase at eastcoasttrail.com.