Hiking Father Troy's Trail, East Coast Trail, Newfoundland and Labrador
Although I’m a little sad that a few days of rain took away a lot of our snow (goodbye winter fat biking), the upside is that it’s made some of the coastal trails a bit more passable. Saturday was sunny and uplifting and the outdoors was calling...
Although I’m a little sad that a few days of rain took away a lot of our snow (goodbye winter fat biking), the upside is that it’s made some of the coastal trails a bit more passable. Saturday was sunny and uplifting and the outdoors was calling me. I decided to check out the conditions on Father Troy’s trail. Happily, the trail was very doable, with the help of crampons in a few places. Father Troy’s trail is section number six of 25 that make up the East Coast Trail (ECT), one of the hiking crown jewels in Newfoundland and Labrador. In total, the ECT offers 336 km of trails connected by communities with rich and colourful histories all their own. Father Troy’s trail is 8.9km long and connects the communities of Flatrock and Torbay. I’ve done almost all of the sections of the ECT throughout the years. Some, like Father Troy’s, are like old friends by now I’ve traversed them so many times. However, changes in the seasons and the ever-shifting nature of, well... nature makes it a fresh new experience every time.
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A view of the small community of Flatrock in the background.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
The signage on the East Coast Trail is old but pretty reliable. One of the things I love about this trail system is the minimal amount of human interference.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
Redhead (the headland) in the distance. Just a beautiful colour scape with the ocean and the rusty coloured heath.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
taken in
Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
A magnificent lookout point when the sea state allows it. Best to stay well back when things are wild and wooly.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
Glacial erractics which are old familiars by now. I've practiced my sketching skills on them once or twice.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
One of several woodsy sections of trail. This trail has a bit of everything.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
An old and crumbling World War II lookout post. These can be found at a few locations along the north east coast. They were put there by the American Forces.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
This picture is a little grainy. I was attempting to capture the waterfall exiting into the ocean in the distance. You can get closer to these falls further along the trail.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
Father Troy's trail has a bit of a 'choose your own adventure' option. You can stay up on higher ground and take the more moderate path or you can descend into Church Cove and do a more difficult but rewarding loop. Whenever I see 'difficult' I,...
Father Troy's trail has a bit of a 'choose your own adventure' option. You can stay up on higher ground and take the more moderate path or you can descend into Church Cove and do a more difficult but rewarding loop. Whenever I see 'difficult' I, of course, have to go look for myself :)
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A wonderful view of Church Cove. There is a very steep drop here so it's best to stay back from the edge. In the summer time, the cliffs in this area serve as a nesting site for Kittiwakes.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
The start of the stair descent to the Church Cove loop.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
The stairs lead into a boulder strewn section. You can possibly see the black and white wooden posts in the distance. These appear occasionally on the East Coast Trail, particularly in places where it is possible to take a wrong or dangerous turn.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
The falls on the Church Cove loop. They were extremely active, likely as a result of a few rainy days and the associated snow melt. I've never seen them like this before!
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
You can see the stairs on the other side of the falls that you would take to continue on this loop. I decided not to attempt a crossing given the power of the water at the time. There falls continue to drop steeply until exiting into the ocean,...
You can see the stairs on the other side of the falls that you would take to continue on this loop. I decided not to attempt a crossing given the power of the water at the time. There falls continue to drop steeply until exiting into the ocean, ocean, as seen in an earlier photo. I was not taking any chances. I turned back at this point to climb back up out of Church Cove and take the alternate route. No regrets about attempting this loop though. The spectacle of the falls was well worth it. I sat and enjoyed them for a while before turning around.
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Looking back up the boulder pathway. Getting ready to ascend. Hiking poles are a must for me. I've learned to appreciate their many uses.
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
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Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
What goes down, must go up! I had to take off my glasses to get this picture, they were all steamed up from the exertion of climbing. A good work out anyhow!
1 March 2025
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2 days ago
taken in
Flatrock, NL A0A, Canada
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