Doug’s guide to Gros Morne National Park

Tuesday, 20th October 2015

Doug

Western Brook Pond, Gros Morne National Park

We sent Doug, one of our Travel Specialist’s to Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park, to find out why the locals say that photographs just do not do this area justice.

In September 2015 my bag was packed long in advance of my trip to Newfoundland. This was a particular area which I had wanted to visit since hearing about and seeing some incredible photos of Gros Morne National Park, commonly referred to as just Gros Morne.

Having arrived very late at night to Deer Lake, I couldn’t see my surroundings until I was woken up by an amazing sunrise in Gros Morne National Park, which was the start of many spectacular sights to come.

The main areas to visit are Western Brook Pond and Tablelands, but everywhere around the National Park had history, wildlife, incredible views and the most passionate locals who are the most welcoming people I have met in Canada!

Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage site for a few different reasons other than being stunningly beautiful. It is one of the only places in the world that the earth’s mantle has come through the crust to the surface. Due to this the rock formations, the colourings are so dramatic! You can look down the road and on one side (where the rock mantle has come through), there is no sign of life, yet on the other side of the road, you’ll see trees and bushes full of berries – abundant in life.

The walk through The Tablelands, filled with natural wonders, is fascinating and I think it is best done first with a guide through Parks Canada and then independently, as there are so many different routes to do. On the second time, you’ll have a much better idea of what you are seeing. The Parks Canada guides are brilliant and explain exactly what you’re seeing including the different types of rocks and flora and fauna that survive in these conditions.

About 90 minutes up the road is Western Brook Pond. Do not be put off by the word pond as it is actually a landlocked fjord, approximately 1km on foot from the car park to the ferry. And, if you are lucky – you might get the chance to see moose along the way. The boat trip will last for two hours and you don’t know where to look as there is so much going on as you’re looking up through the fjord. As the locals say, photographs simply don’t do this area justice and seeing really is believing here!

I would certainly recommend at least three nights in this region to see some of the main sites but there are so many smaller stops as well to keep you going for days!