Located
in Green Bay, in the north central region of the province, this trail
crosses forests and bogs before climbing steeply to an elevation of
about 1,000 feet. It covers eight kilometres and will take three to
four hours to complete, forming a loop so there’s minimal backtracking.
Stairs on the steep and long sections of boardwalk over the bogs help
you to navigate the terrain—it’s clear that a lot of effort has gone
into building the trail. Be sure to include the various side trails:
you’ll see impressive waterfalls. Start early enough to stop for lunch
at the summit lookout, providing scenic vistas in all directions. To
the east you can see down into Green Bay and King’s Point: rolling
hills stretch out to the west.
Located in Green Bay, in the north central region of the province,
this trail crosses forests and bogs before climbing steeply to an
elevation of about 1,000 feet. It covers eight kilometres and will take
three to four hours to complete, forming a loop so there’s minimal
backtracking. Stairs on the steep and long sections of boardwalk over
the bogs help you to navigate the terrain—it’s clear that a lot of
effort has gone into building the trail. Be sure to include the various
side trails: you’ll see impressive waterfalls. Start early enough to
stop for lunch at the summit lookout, providing scenic vistas in all
directions. To the east you can see down into Green Bay and King’s
Point: rolling hills stretch out to the west.
The
trail, which is well marked and starts in the community of King’s
Point, across from the softball field, is named for Alexander Murray,
the first director of the Geological Survey of Newfoundland
(1864-1883). He wrote glowingly about the area: 
“To
anyone in search of the picturesque, this great inlet has many rare
attractions, in the varying outline and diversified scenery it presents
on all sides. It’s bounded on the north side by a succession of lofty
and near vertical cliffs… and to the south by gently swelling hills and
valleys richly carpeted by a luxurious growth of mixed forest. All
provide a landscape an artist might revel in, with scenes to charm the
tourist or traveller…”
Fine
words from someone who, as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, had seen
much of the world and wasn’t prone to lavish praise—and they’re as true
today as when they were written, many years ago.
Keith & Heather Nicol
Eco-friendly hiking tips:
- Pack out what you pack in. Use the waste receptacle at the start/end of the trail.
- If you take your dog keep it on its leash, so it won’t harass the wildlife.
- Stay on the trail to avoid trampling fragile, low-lying vegetation.
GPS coordinates
- 0558152 N
- 5492107 E
- NAD. 83
The
East Coast Trail Association began in 1994, with a vision for a
world-class hiking trail that would connect 30 communities—providing
accommodation, dining, and entertainment en route—along North America’s
easternmost coastline. By 2001, 220 km had been completed, stretching
from Fort Amherst, near St. John’s, to Cappahayden. The entire trail is
540 km, from Topsail to Trepassey around the Avalon Peninsula,
providing hikers with paths ranging from easy rambles to wilderness
adventures.<
You
can do individual sections in a day or hike a couple of sections on a
weekend. There are many access points; get dropped off in the morning
with your lunch in a backpack and have an overnight bag transported to
a B&B a day’s trek away. Or if you prefer to camp you can take it all with you. 
Skerwink
Trail, on the southern coast of the Bonavista Peninsula, is ranked one
of the top three hiking trails in Canada—and for good reason. We hiked
this coastal loop recently for the first time, and wondered why we
hadn’t explored it years ago.
There are few trails in Atlantic Canada as steeped with the history
that’s found in this region of Labrador. The kilometre-long Boney Shore
Trail, near the town of Red Bay, covers the same ground that Basque
whalers used 450 years ago. 