Details
Length: 134km (80.5mi) over 4 Stages
Ultra Extras North (Stage 1 & 2): 67.5km (40.5mi) / Ultra Extras South (Stages 3 & 4): 66.5km (40mi)
Maximum Elevation: Stage 1 (Tablelands): 650m (2,133ft) / Stage 2 (North Arm Hills): 700m (2,297ft) / Stage 3 (Blow Me Down Mountains): 645m (2,116ft) / Stage 4 (Lewis Hills): 812m (2,664) at Cabox
Time: Ultra Extras North: 4 Days & 3 Nights / Ultra Extras South: 4 Days & 3 Nights (weather permitting)
Trail Type: Primarily unmarked wilderness route across barren mountaintop terrain, with occasional cut trail at base of mountains. Stages linked by logging road, ATV trail, and boat ride across the Bay of Islands
Difficulty: Challenging*
Experience: This is primarily an unmarked wilderness route across barren mountaintop terrain, with a cut access trail at the base of the mountains, except on the north side of Tablelands. Experience with backcountry navigation and wilderness camping is a must, and use of a gps (ideally with trail route track) is highly recommended.
Highlights: large expanses of ultramafic rock from Earth’s upper mantle, glacier-carved fiords and canyons, lakes, waterfalls, ocean vistas, sub-arctic landscapes, rare plants, moose, caribou, and occasionally black bear and coyote. The latter two are not known to be troublesome.
Cell Service: On eastern, and sometimes northern, edge of mountains and some of the highest summits. Also along Route 440 and 450 in Humber Arm, and Route 431 in Bonne Bay South.
Water Sources: All substantial streams and lakes contain potable water. Small slow-moving brooks and bog ponds should be avoided if possible.
Camping: The only official campsite along the Ultra Extras route is Trout River Campground between Stages 1 & 2 at the western end of Trout River Pond. In the Corner Brook area, tenting is possible at Prince Edward Park at the beginning of Route 440. Campsites identified on topo maps are only some of the recommended sites. Camping is permitted anywhere in the mountains or valleys, though exceptions apply within Gros Morne National Park. (Contact park for details: https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/hebergement-accommodation.) Campfires are not permitted.
Transportation: A taxi/shuttle service is available to/from Woody Point at the beginning of Stage 1 (e.g. Gros Morne Transportation (https://www.facebook.com/grosmornetransportation (709-458-7296)) and Martin’s Transportation (709-453-7269)). Between Stages 2 & 3 a boat ride is required across the Bay of Islands (contact us for details) and ground transportation is required around Humber Arm. 2025 taxi rates (e.g. Star Taxi (709-634-4343)) between Cox’s Cove and Corner Brook is $85, while the rate for Corner Brook to Benoit’s Cove is $60. A pick-up (or drop-off) at the end of a gravel logging road is required at the end of Stage 4. Contact Gros Morne Transportation (709-453-7269) for transportation to/from Serpentine Lake between Stages 3 and 4.
Hunting Season: As the Ultra Extras route crosses big game hunting areas, including those allocated to hunting outfitters, caution is recommended beginning in late August (for bow) and early September (for rifle). (Exact starting dates vary from year to year.) Hikers should wear a bright color and keep a safe distance from hunters and big game.
Dog Rating: Extreme and Not Recommended. Occasional talus and scree fields, some with large boulders, with very abrasive rock types
* Easy > Moderate > Challenging > Difficul
Directions
The northern start point for Stage 1 (N49.48164 W57.99161) is located 6km (3.6mi) west of Woody Point on Route 431.
The southern end of Stage 2 is the IATNL Basecamp at Stowbridges Cove, which is located on the north side of North Arm, Bay of Islands at N49.21661 W58.09582. Contact us to arrange a dory ride across the bay to/from Cox’s Cove at the end of Route 440. Zodiac transportation for larger groups can be provided by Everoutdoor Adventures.
The northern end of Stage 3 is located at the intersection of Salt Water Road with Route 450 above Frenchman’s Cove (N49.05033 W58.18688). From there, hikers must cross to the south side of Route 450 where they will pick up the trail approximately 40 meters to the east.
To begin or end a trek at the southern end of Stage 3 or northern end of Stage 4, it is necessary to drive 34km (20.5mi) on Logger School and Serpentine Logging Roads (which can be rough for the last 10km) from the intersection with the Trans Canada Highway at N48.85936 W57.94344. (It is also possible to connect to Logger School Road by way of the T’railway Road from Mount Moriah on Route 450.) A high-clearance SUV, pickup truck or ATV is recommended.
The southern end of Stage 4 (Lewis Hills) is located near the end of Cold Brook Road and Logging Road, which extends 29km (17.5mi) from the intersection with Route 460 just north of the town of Stephenville (N48.57697 W58.54723). A high-clearance SUV, pickup truck or ATV is recommended.