Labrador StraitsSummer Activities
Hiking
TAKE A HIKE! Three developed hiking trails in the region provide opportunities for exploration.
Overfall Brook Trail
Overfall Brook Trail travels along the shoreline of Forteau Bay. A lowland route proceeds along the beach and under the cliffs to the base of the Overfall Brook Falls. The upper route climbs the hill to the high ground, providing an excellent lookout over Forteau Bay with Point Amour Lighthouse visible in the distance. At trail end the "overfalls" presents excellent photo opportunities of a pure Labrador stream cascading 100 feet over rocky cliffs on its way to the ocean.
Schooner Cove Trail
Schooner Cove Trail travels through several different microzones of the Labrador coast, providing excellent opportunities to examine a variety of local flora. Schooner Cove, at trail end, was first occupied by Maritime Archaic Indians thousands of years ago. During the last 400 years it has been home to a variety of European and Labradorian whalers and fishermen. Large iron boilers and other bits of machinery scattered along the beach are the remnants of a whaling factory established there in the early 1900s.
The Battery Trail
The Battery Trail winds through stunted "tuckamore forest", the climax forest growth of the Labrador coast, and then across barren grounds to the summit of the Battery -- the highest land in the region. At trail end a spectacular panorama of the Strait of Belle Isle can be enjoyed, with excellent views of icebergs and, frequently, humpback whales. Please exercise caution when walking on the Battery, as steep cliffs drop sharply to the ocean. A fenced area is provided for your safety and enjoyment.
Overfall Brook Trail
- Duration: approximately 45 minutes one direction
- Degree of difficulty: easy to moderate.
Overfall Brook Trail travels along the shoreline of Forteau Bay. A lowland route proceeds along the beach and under the cliffs to the base of the Overfall Brook Falls. The upper route climbs the hill to the high ground, providing an excellent lookout over Forteau Bay with Point Amour Lighthouse visible in the distance. At trail end the "overfalls" presents excellent photo opportunities of a pure Labrador stream cascading 100 feet over rocky cliffs on its way to the ocean.
Schooner Cove Trail
- Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour one direction
- Degree of difficulty: easy
Schooner Cove Trail travels through several different microzones of the Labrador coast, providing excellent opportunities to examine a variety of local flora. Schooner Cove, at trail end, was first occupied by Maritime Archaic Indians thousands of years ago. During the last 400 years it has been home to a variety of European and Labradorian whalers and fishermen. Large iron boilers and other bits of machinery scattered along the beach are the remnants of a whaling factory established there in the early 1900s.
The Battery Trail
- Duration: 30 to 45 minutes one direction
- Degree of difficulty: easy
The Battery Trail winds through stunted "tuckamore forest", the climax forest growth of the Labrador coast, and then across barren grounds to the summit of the Battery -- the highest land in the region. At trail end a spectacular panorama of the Strait of Belle Isle can be enjoyed, with excellent views of icebergs and, frequently, humpback whales. Please exercise caution when walking on the Battery, as steep cliffs drop sharply to the ocean. A fenced area is provided for your safety and enjoyment.
Whale Watching
WHALES ARE frequently sighted in the Strait of Belle Isle during summer and early fall.
The most common large species of whale is the humpback, usually seen in groups and noted for their classic roll and dive leaving their tail flukes in the air. Fin whales are more solitary than humpbacks, and are usually spotted alone or in small groups. Their main identifying feature is the tall, column-like spout of exhaled air when they surface after a dive. Smaller whales include pothead, minke and occasional killer whales. Porpoises and dolphins (known as "jumpers") are common.
Some of the best places in the Labrador Straits for whale watching are Point Amour Lighthouse, the Battery Trail, the ferry crossing the Strait from Newfoundland and Red Bay.
The most common large species of whale is the humpback, usually seen in groups and noted for their classic roll and dive leaving their tail flukes in the air. Fin whales are more solitary than humpbacks, and are usually spotted alone or in small groups. Their main identifying feature is the tall, column-like spout of exhaled air when they surface after a dive. Smaller whales include pothead, minke and occasional killer whales. Porpoises and dolphins (known as "jumpers") are common.
Some of the best places in the Labrador Straits for whale watching are Point Amour Lighthouse, the Battery Trail, the ferry crossing the Strait from Newfoundland and Red Bay.
Bird Watching
THERE IS A WIDE range of bird habitats in the region, ranging from seashore, through estuarine to tundra.
Bird watching in the Labrador Straits can be rewarding as the area is underwatched and it is possible to spot species which have not previously been recorded here. The most rewarding seasons are the Spring and Fall migrations.
Spring brings the water birds heading north to breed: Canada Geese, Common Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Jaegers and two species of Merganser. At this time of the year the gulls return. Glaucous are the most common species, and Iceland Gulls are occasionally seen. Smaller birds such as the yellow warblers and flycatchers flock through, gathering in stands of trees before heading further north.
Throughout the summer several species of raptor can be seen, mainly in the tundra. The Rough-legged Hawk and the Northern Harrier are common. Northern Goshawk has been sighted and Gyre Falcon are rare visitors to these shores.
The Fall migration brings the greatest numbers of shore birds. Large numbers of Greater Yellowlegs gather in the estuaries and the smaller species such as Sanderling and White-rumped Sandpiper flock on the seashore all along the coast. Snipe, with their characteristic call, can be heard in the late evenings making their way to the rich feeding grounds soon to be covered by snow.
Once winter sets in and the sea freezes there are few species which can withstand the rigors of the climate. Snow Buntings are the most frequent passerines at this time. Snowy Owls and Partridges are seen infrequently in winter.
Bird watching in the Labrador Straits can be rewarding as the area is underwatched and it is possible to spot species which have not previously been recorded here. The most rewarding seasons are the Spring and Fall migrations.
Spring brings the water birds heading north to breed: Canada Geese, Common Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Jaegers and two species of Merganser. At this time of the year the gulls return. Glaucous are the most common species, and Iceland Gulls are occasionally seen. Smaller birds such as the yellow warblers and flycatchers flock through, gathering in stands of trees before heading further north.
Throughout the summer several species of raptor can be seen, mainly in the tundra. The Rough-legged Hawk and the Northern Harrier are common. Northern Goshawk has been sighted and Gyre Falcon are rare visitors to these shores.
The Fall migration brings the greatest numbers of shore birds. Large numbers of Greater Yellowlegs gather in the estuaries and the smaller species such as Sanderling and White-rumped Sandpiper flock on the seashore all along the coast. Snipe, with their characteristic call, can be heard in the late evenings making their way to the rich feeding grounds soon to be covered by snow.
Once winter sets in and the sea freezes there are few species which can withstand the rigors of the climate. Snow Buntings are the most frequent passerines at this time. Snowy Owls and Partridges are seen infrequently in winter.
Berry Picking
BERRY PICKING IS one of the most common traditional summer pastimes in the Labrador Straits.
The most famous berry in the area is the bakeapple, or cloudberry. Bakeapples are red initially, fading to a light orange colour when ripe (in local parlance bakeapples are red when they're "green"!). They are popular in jellies, syrups and pies, which can all be sampled in the local stores and restaurants throughout much of the year. These berries lend their name to the local Bakeapple Folk Festival held annually in August.
Other berries common to the area include black berries which ripen in late July, and partridgeberries, or lingonberries, which are a deep red colour when they ripen in mid-September. Partridgeberries are also popular in locally-made pies and jams.
All these berries are easily found within a few minutes walk of the road.
The most famous berry in the area is the bakeapple, or cloudberry. Bakeapples are red initially, fading to a light orange colour when ripe (in local parlance bakeapples are red when they're "green"!). They are popular in jellies, syrups and pies, which can all be sampled in the local stores and restaurants throughout much of the year. These berries lend their name to the local Bakeapple Folk Festival held annually in August.
Other berries common to the area include black berries which ripen in late July, and partridgeberries, or lingonberries, which are a deep red colour when they ripen in mid-September. Partridgeberries are also popular in locally-made pies and jams.
All these berries are easily found within a few minutes walk of the road.
Angling
THE LABRADOR STRAITS is world renowned for its sport fishing. There are three excellent locations for salmon and trout fishing; the Forteau River, L'Anse au Loup Brook and the Pinware River. The pools and strong rapids of the Pinware will challenge the most expert salmon angler. Forteau River and L'Anse au Loup Brook are quieter waters. Some of the local ponds also provide good trouting.
Licenses can be purchased locally and local people are available as guides. For those visiting the area from outside the province, a guide is mandatory.
For the serious salmon angler, local lodges provide comfortable accommodations and a friendly atmosphere in which to discuss the day's catch. Local stores carry a good range of salmon and trout flies as well as bait. Of course you may wish to bring your own favourite tackle!
Licenses can be purchased locally and local people are available as guides. For those visiting the area from outside the province, a guide is mandatory.
For the serious salmon angler, local lodges provide comfortable accommodations and a friendly atmosphere in which to discuss the day's catch. Local stores carry a good range of salmon and trout flies as well as bait. Of course you may wish to bring your own favourite tackle!