After our hike in The Tablelands, we decided to hike to Green Gardens.
How long is this trail?
Elevation Gain: 305 m
Trail Rating: Moderate
Distance: 9.5 km return
Time: 3-4 hours return
Terrain: Gently rolling with steep sections
The Green Gardens area features volcanic rocks formed during eruptions more than 550 million years ago.These eruptions occured as an ancient continent split apart and an ocean formed. Today these and other rocks in the park provide important geological evidence that contributes to Gros Morne National Park’s UNESCO World Heritage designation for its illustration of plate tectonics.
What about Green Gardens?
Green Gardens is a great place to discover some of the contrasting landscapes of Gros Morne National Park. The trail begins on the open serpentine barrens of the Tablelands and descends through the boreal forest to a fertile volcanic sea coast. The coast has a beautiful sea stack, coves, and beaches topped off with lush cliff-top meadows. One can easily spend many hours exploring along the shore, admiring the abundance of wildflowers in the area, or just lazing on the fields staring out to sea. Residents of Trout River long used green Gardens as summer range for their livestock, and sheep are still seen there today.
Since 2017, the section of the Green Gardens Trail from Steve’s Cove to Wallace Brook has been closed permanently, and the entire Wallace Brook trail is closed. Hikers are not to venture to these sections and former trails. The decision was made in the interest of visitor safety. The open area of the Green Gardens trail offers a 9 km return hike to the spectacular Green Gardens coast. The trail continues, providing hikers access to the beach, sea stacks, sea cave, and a primitive campsite. All the features that this trail is noted for.
Trail Notes
- The Green Gardens trailhead is along Route 431, just 13 km from Woody Point (3 km from Trout River).
- The trail is 4.5 km to the coast at Old Man Cove. Follow the path north along the headlands and through a series of coastal meadows to Steve’s Cove and the trail’s end. You will be rewarded with great views of sea stacks and Gros Morne’s southern coastline from the top of the cliffs.
- Return by the same route that will be uphill most of the way and is steep in places.
Cautions:
- Stay on the trail. Avoid walking close to the cliff edges at the coast, as some parts are undercut.
- When walking along the shore
- Watch for falling rocks near cliffs.
- Take caution, as rocks can be slippery.
- Watch for rising tides.
Enjoy your hike and enjoy your way back, as you will always have to make it uphill! But it’s worth it, trust me.
