The Viking Ride - Newfoundland - Gros Morne

Biking is the only way to truly see and appreciate Newfoundland's great Northern Peninsula. It is a gem of geological wonder. Traditional fishing villages dot the shore sharing an ocean breeze filled with sounds of seagulls and smells of salty air.
Often the rocky cliffs of Labrador can be seen if you can look beyond the icebergs and whales.
Newfoundland's hospitality is as legendary as Gros Morne National Park. One of the greatest and most stunning parks in the world. Hiking and biking these stunning, ancient table top mountains is the way this tour starts and finishes on the northern tip of Newfoundland at the UNESICO world heritage site of L'anse aux Meadows. This site is the discovery of the earliest Viking settlement in North America.
In between are fjords and pure car-free, east coast stretches of pure wilderness (fortunately, usually a tailwind). Most of the tour is flat and rolling except for some small mountains in Gros Morne. All is paved.
Hotels and Guest houses are the plan but they are few and far between so please plan well ahead so we can book them early as this is a popular area in the summer. There can be options to camp if want to save money.

Schedule

Day: 
1/2
Arrive Deer Lake where our tour starts and we enjoy this beautiful small inland town.
Day: 
3
DEER LAKE to TROUT RIVER A great 87 km ride. We head west towards the ocean, slicing and weaving through Gros Morne’s table top mountains. It’s a great way to start the tour and finish the day. Trout River sits on the rocky shore with an incredibly spectacular vista that you will have time to savour.
Day: 
4
TROUT RIVER to ROCKY HARBOUR Today’s route takes us back through the table lands to the boat crossing to Noriss Point where we continue on to Rocky Harbour. This 57 km ride can be extended by 60kms by riding around Bonnies Bay to Noriss Point. This is only an option but is a great rolling ride around the bay. Rocky Harbour boasts a great traditional lighthouse and a place to swim or a short optional hike. Or just relax. Rumour has it there is great beer on the island. Here it is beer on the Rocky Harbour.
Day: 
5
HIKING DAY IN GROS MORNE The plan is to hike the famous Gros Morne mountain peak. Usually a 7-8 hour hike. Long but well worth it. If not up for it there are many shorter trails to explore amongst the Fjords and table tops. Tonight is a well-earned feast.
Day: 
6
Short but sweet 54 km ride to Cows Head (guess what’s for dinner, mmmm). We hit the ocean shoreline and head north. Part way along we stop for a stunning boat tour at Western Brook Pond – the Newfoundland name for a massive fjord. Finish with short bike into Cows Head. Cows Head with beer chasers. Hotel/camp.
Day: 
7
Our longest ride of 102 kms to Hawke's Bay is a great coastal ride and almost always wind assisted. Makes for a relatively easy century ride. Lots of places to stop and enjoy the view across the straight towards Labrador.
Day: 
8
Off to St. Barbe and another great 88km ride. Lots of bays and harbours to wind and flow around and a truly beautiful photo-op at the lighthouse that stands on the furthest western point of the island. Winds should aid us all day.
Day: 
9
An off-day with an optional short ride along the extremely rugged and barren Labrador coast – the polar opposite of Newfoundland’s coastline. Taking a ferry across the straight to Labrador there is a good chance of whale and iceberg sightings. You can relax in town on arrival and read a book or wander or can also take a short but beautiful ride along the coast but have to be back for ferry departure. Same Hotel.camp ground.
Day: 
10
Time to head to the top of the peninsula and round its tip to Pistolet Bay on a 128 km ride (remember, winds are at your back). We really finally see some of Newfoundland’s interior barrens as we head northeast. Some great wilderness is to be enjoyed. We have support trucks that can be hopped on this day or any other but the winds make this easier than it may seem to some.
Day: 
11
Last day and a short ride of 54 km to St Lunaire, a wonderful traditional Newfoundland fishing village. We also stop again at the UNESCO world heritage site of L'anse aux Meadows. Life as the vikings would have known a 1,000 years ago. Magical. A great night partying Newfoundland style -- a shot of Newfie Screeeeeeech if you dare.
Day: 
12
Optional short ride of 33km to St Anthony where we truck it back to Deer Lake. Should arrive back in late afternoon and time to relax and talk stories. I am a firm believer in savouring the journey’s end but a night flight can be arranged or hang out and fly the next day.

Biking is the only way to truly see and appreciate Newfoundland's great Northern Peninsula. It is a gem of geological wonder. Traditional fishing villages dot the shore sharing an ocean breeze filled with sounds of seagulls and smells of salty air.
Often the rocky cliffs of Labrador can be seen if you can look beyond the icebergs and whales.
Newfoundland's hospitality is as legendary as Gros Morne National Park. One of the greatest and most stunning parks in the world. Hiking and biking these stunning, ancient table top mountains is the way this tour starts and finishes on the northern tip of Newfoundland at the UNESICO world heritage site of L'anse aux Meadows. This site is the discovery of the earliest Viking settlement in North America.
In between are fjords and pure car-free, east coast stretches of pure wilderness (fortunately, usually a tailwind). Most of the tour is flat and rolling except for some small mountains in Gros Morne. All is paved.
Hotels and Guest houses are the plan but they are few and far between so please plan well ahead so we can book them early as this is a popular area in the summer. There can be options to camp if want to save money.