Coastal Trail

Coastal Trail is a 6 km (3.7 mi) out-and-back between Baker’s Brook and Green Point on the old winter mail road. Parks Canada rates it easy and allows 1–2 hours. It’s a good choice when you want a short coastal outing, not a long day of climbing. Walk to Green Point, then retrace the same 3 km corridor; the distance includes the return.

Along the route, there’s a long cobble beach, small ponds and patches of short, dense coastal forest. Newfoundland calls those wind- and frost-shaped trees tuckamore: their branches are nipped back into low, wind-swept shapes. The Atlantic shore and those trees are the point here. The cobbles are less forgiving than a smooth path and make footing uneven, even though the overall hike is easy. Parks Canada calls out the ocean breezes and views of the setting sun, so leave a little time for the open shoreline rather than treating this as a quick connector.

This was more than a scenic route: the road once linked the small fishing communities of Baker’s Brook and Green Point, carrying winter mail along the coast. You walk between two named settlements instead of climbing toward a single viewpoint. Migrating shorebirds and ducks use this coast; the small ponds are worth a look on the way through.

Start at the small Baker’s Brook parking lot, 10 km north of Rocky Harbour on Route 430. Green Point is the far end and a second access; turn around there and return to Baker’s Brook. No food or water service is listed along the trail. Green Point Campground is separate from the route and has toilets, showers and a kitchen shelter, but do not count on those unless you are visiting the campground. Keep pets leashed; Parks Canada notes that some areas restrict pets, so follow notices at trailheads.