Call of Gros Morne – The Walk

The combined northern and long-range crossing

For the past few years, my summer backpacking trips have been largely limited to the Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park (Montana). When looking at plans for 2026, I thought it was time to explore a new part of the country. Living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, I am spoiled by the number of world-class backpackers within a 3-hour drive of my house. People come from all over the world to hike the places I usually visit on the weekend, so the question was: where to go?

In 2015 I raised the West Coast Trail (WCT) on Vancouver Island and wanted to see something similar, the logical choice being East Coast Trail (ECT) in Newfoundland. However, the ECT is not as remote as the WCT, passing through coastal towns every day or two. For many people, I’m sure it would be a great trip, but it wasn’t exactly what they were looking for. That’s when I met him Long range crossing in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland. He had me on a “rough, unmarked country road” and the photos looked spectacular. A few YouTube videos later, I learned that was the plan for 2026.

On its own, the Long Range Traverse is only 21 miles (35 km), which doesn’t seem like much, but it is a difficult hike that requires navigation skills and is done by most in 3 or 4 days (depending on weather and the boat ride needed to get to the trailhead). Looking for something a little longer, I chose the combo. Northern and Long Range Crossing a 60 km route that normally lasts between 5 and 6 days and avoids the need for a boat trip. Access to this route is limited, only 1 group is allowed to start per day, but luck was with me and I was able to get a permit for myself and my friend in mid-August.

The Long Range Mountains in Newfoundland are the northernmost section of the Appalachian Mountain Range in North America, and parts of the International Appalachian Trail pass through the park. The terrain is swampy and the route is crisscrossed by game trails that make navigation a challenge. Lihat hgtgdfgdtr11 untuk info lebih lanjut. The weather can be unpredictable and the black flies relentless. I also learned a new word, Tukamore (also known as Krummholz). These are stunted, gnarled evergreen trees that can become impassable thickets and pose a serious challenge to navigation. Facilities and campsites are limited, some containing a pit toilet and a bear locker, but most are just a few tents or platforms to keep you out of the mud.

Access to Gros Morne

The closest major airport to Gros Morne is Deer Lake Regional Airport with flights to Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and St Johns. Rocky Harbor is the closest town to the park and the location of the Gros Morne Visitor Center where we will need to pick up our permits.

While August is still a long way off, I’m looking forward to the trip and there are still a lot of logistics to organize, flights, hotels, how to get to the trailhead.

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