The warm ride from Corner Brook to Bottle Cove at the South end of the Bay of Islands made it challenging for us to leave the car. As I opened the door a freezing gust of wind made me shiver. Quickly, I slipped on my fleece and warm mitts. A -12ºC snowy and windy day had a wakening effect on us. Luckily the coastal landscape enticed me to the trail.
There, a boardwalk followed the beach before veering into the shelter of the forest. As we progressed through natural tunnels of thick spruce trees we warmed up. Before long we were laughing and contemplating astonishing views of the coastline. A turbulent turquoise ocean was in fury, breaking onto the shoals while leaving behind frozen sculptures. Black pillow lava rocks contrasted amidst this white landscape. Meanwhile snowflakes danced in the wind every turn and cove had a different and more beautiful scenery to offer.
However, the trails of Bottle Cove lead us into the forest where a quiet change was welcomed. Finally we could stop and have a snack and sip of water without the fear of freezing. From here on I wished I had my snowshoes. The windswept terrain around Bottle Cove was replaced by deeper snow. We kept on hiking, falling through snow holes every so often as we made our way up Southhead lighthouse trail. The way back was much faster as we followed our tracks back while racing down.
Smiling and warmed by the hiking we were running down deep snow while falling. The Southhead Lighthouse trail leads up a valley and onto a saddle which then opens up on top of the Murray mountains. From here endless views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Guernsey island (Wee ball) will reward all hikers.
The Outer Bay of Island Commitee (OBIEC) has done a phenomenal job at maintaining and expanding these trails. For more trails in the Bay of Islands area purchase “Hikes of Western Newfoundland” by clicking here. Bottle Cove and South Head lighthouse trails are great to tackle even in the snow and easy to follow throughout the winter. On the other hand there is a sea cave located on the South-West end of Bottle cove beach which is much easier to access during the summer and only at low tide.
Bottle Cove Trail
Easy and mostly flat
Distance: 1km trail network
Follow route 450 up to Lark Harbour, turn left onto Little Port Road and take your first right in Bottle Cove. The first access point is by the beach where you can see a parking on the left with signs and a boardwalk. There is another bigger parking lot on the left a few meters further up the road.
Southhead Lighthouse Trail
Easy to moderate
Distance: 3.3 km linear trail (6.6 km return)
You can start at the Bottle Cove trail or by driving all the way to the end of the road and parking by the fence.
For more hiking trails in the Bay of Islands area go read: A gusty Blow Me Down Peak trail and go check our Wildly Intrepid Hiking/Trekking Adventures.
Alex
Live Wildly Intrepid!
Carpe Diem
