In 1498, just one year after Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto rediscovered North America and six years after fellow Italian Christopher Columbus “discovered” the New World, Portuguese explorers João Fernandes Lavrador and Pêro de Barcelos were the first modern explorers of much of northeastern North America, including the Labrador Peninsula. They were followed (1500-02) by Portuguese…

During summer 2014, Appalachian Mountain explorer Lew Coty from Vermont, U.S.A. returned to Newfoundland for another great backcountry adventure, this time circumtrekking Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne National Park. Lew began his 5-day trek in Sally’s Cove on Route 430 (Viking Trail) and followed a clockwise course from the western end of the “pond”.

The newest route of the International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland & Labrador (IATNL) has recently been listed #1 of 4 Amazing Adventure Travel Trips by Explore Magazine. The route extends from Trout River in Gros Morne National Park to James Cook’s Stone Brook in the beautiful Bay of Islands, and is included in the planned Cabox…

Explore Magazine’s Fall 2014 edition recently named the IATNL’s 2015 North Arm Traverse from Trout River in Gros Morne National Park to Back Cove in North Arm, Bay of Islands as one of its Top 16 Amazing Trips for 2015. The 3-day/2-night guided trek will cross some of the most scenic and pristine landscapes in…

In October, the IATNL sponsored Cabox Aspiring Geopark joined the European Union’s Interreg VB Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme’s Drifting Apart project. Its goal is to increase the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the fascinating and interconnected geological heritage of the Northern Periphery and Arctic region and its many links to natural, built and cultural…

On October 22, the IATNL’s Arne Helgeland, Kevin Noseworthy and Paul Wylezol set off in boat from Cox’s Cove in Middle Arm, Bay of Islands for Back Cove in North Arm. With them were new windows, assorted lumber and miscellaneous building supplies needed to start restoration of the 50+ year old fishing house now hiking…

After the IAT Annual General Meeting in Plymouth, England, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol traveled to Paris, France to meet with Madame Claude Hue, President of La Federation Francaise de la Randonnee Pedestre and Monsieur Armand Ducornet, Vice-President of la Federation Europeanne de la Randonnae Pedestre. The October 13 meeting was to discuss the IAT route…

From October 6-9, the International Appalachian Trail held its Annual General Meeting in and around the historic city of Plymouth, England, in conjunction with a National Trails Annual Meeting. The event was hosted by the South West Coast Path National Trail, and included tours of Dartmoor National Park, English Riviera Geopark and South Devon AONB…

On September 19-22, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the 6th International UNESCO Conference on Global Geoparks hosted by Stonehammer Geopark in Saint John, NB. He was there learning about the Global Geopark network, promoting the proposed Cabox Global Geopark in Western Newfoundland, and meeting representatives from Geoparks along the IAT route.

After recently graduating from MUN’s Grenfell Campus with education degrees, IATNL members Katie Broadhurst and Caroline Swan took advantage of some rare free time to make a girls only trek across the Blow Me Down Mountains. Follow them as they spend a few days “trekking, exploring the ancient mountains, re-discovering favourite swimming holes, hanging out…

From August 20-22, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the 4th Conjugate Margins Conference in St. John’s and presented a trio of posters on the IAT, IAT Geoparks and the planned Cabox Geopark in Western Newfoundland. The Conference started in 2008 to bring industry and academia together to discuss the similarities of basis evolution in conjugate…

IATNL members Katie Broadhurst and Alexandra Fortin have recently completed their new west coast hiking guide, Hikes of Western Newfoundland. Printed by Boulder Publications, it is a full-colour guide to over 60 spectacular trails and trail networks, from easy seaside walks and picnic spots to spectacular multi-day treks. It contains vivid detailed hike descriptions, including…