Green Gardens Trail

Green Gardens is a 9 km (5.6-mile) out-and-back from Route 431 to the south coast and back, crossing open serpentine barrens and boreal forest before reaching the meadows and headlands of Old Man Cove and Steve’s Cove. The first 4.5 km takes you to the coast at Old Man Cove; follow the trail north through the headlands to Steve’s Cove, the current end, then return along the same route. Allow three to four hours. If you have half a day for one walk in the south end of the park, this is a good one to spend it on: the scenery changes from rusty rock to forest to sea, and the beach feels earned.

The trail starts high on the Tablelands, on open, rust-coloured serpentine rock with low plants and little shelter. The first stretch is mostly level; after about 20 minutes the path turns downhill and switchbacks into a boreal forest valley. Watch your footing on the rocky, rooty sections. You’ll step across small creeks and cross a short bridge before the forest starts to thin. The coast announces itself with waterfalls, wind-shaped tuckamore trees and open meadow. Wildflowers and pitcher plants grow near the shore, though what’s in bloom depends on the season. After rain, mud and slick rocks can slow the descent; the return climb is where you’ll notice the extra effort.

At Old Man Cove, stairs drop from the cliff-top meadow to a long pebble beach, with sea stacks offshore, waterfalls coming down the cliffs and a sea cave around the headland. The beach is the obvious place to stop, but don’t feel you’ve finished: the trail continues north for about ten minutes across coastal headlands and meadows to Steve’s Cove, its current end. The wide-open view from up here takes in the stacks and Gros Morne’s southern coastline. Stay well back from the cliff edges, which can be undercut. Rocks by the water can be slippery, and reaching the sea cave depends on a safe tide; don’t try to go around a headland with water rising.

Green Gardens was once summer pasture for people from Trout River, and sheep are still seen on the coast. The cliffs also show pillow basalt, formed when lava cooled underwater about 550 million years ago. From the meadow above Old Man Cove, include the grass or sheep in the foreground with the sea stacks and cliffs beyond; it gives the coast a sense of scale.

The official distance is 9 km round trip, and the park calls the trail moderate. Published ascent figures vary from roughly 300 to 415 metres, but the practical point is the same: the way back climbs for long stretches and is steep in places. Take your time on the switchbacks and stairs. The parking lot and trailhead are on Route 431, about 13 km from Woody Point and 3 km from Trout River. An outhouse has been reported at the lot, but its capacity and current availability aren’t established. No food or potable water is documented along the route, so bring what you need. A Parks Canada entry pass is required; overnight camping at Old Man Cove needs a permit and registration. The former continuation from Steve’s Cove toward Wallace Brook is permanently closed, so turn around at Steve’s Cove.