The best way to enjoy a walk or hike is to go prepared. Most things are common sense, but depending on the size of the group and the kind of trails you’ll be walking, a little extra preparation will help all hands have a safe and happy sojourn.
The hiking season here is from early spring to late fall. The island of Newfoundland has a temperate marine climate, so the ocean keeps it from getting too hot or too cold most of the year. Labrador has a continental climate, which is cooler and drier, with hot summer days and cold winter nights. The weather in Newfoundland and Labrador is always changing. Before you head out, check the weather forecast for your destination.
The best time to walk and hike is summer and early fall for a number of reasons. The weather is generally more reliable, the trails are usually dry, and there is a lot to see and do – seabirds, whales and icebergs are all at your fingertips.
Before you head out, check the weather forecast for your destination.
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Most of the community walking and hiking trails in this province are short in duration and easy to navigate. However, at the current time there are no standards in place to provide directions and maps, or ensure a basic level of trail quality. As with any nature based activity, the user assumes an element of risk and should exercise caution.
Don’t get too close to the wildlife. Those two moose at the edge of the clearing may be munching food, but they may be getting ready to fight - especially during fall rutting season. Please view nesting birds from a distance.
Many of our trails run along the coastline. Walk single file and only view coastal vistas from designated viewing areas. A path along a beach, at the bottom of a cliff, or over low-lying headland may be washed away by waves or weakened by a recent tidal storm.
Some paths restrict pets, and on those that don’t, it is a good idea to keep your pet on a leash. Please bring out anything you bring in. And most importantly, stay on the path.
Water blisters. Those two words send chills through experienced walkers and hikers. If you take care of your feet, they’ll take good care of you on even the toughest trail. Blisters are caused by a combination of sweat, heat and chafing.
Planning your walking holiday means having the right kind of footwear, socks, blister first aid, blister prevention items like moleskin, and petroleum jelly or commercial gel used to ward off blisters. Wash your feet in the morning and dry them thoroughly. Spread a thin coating of jelly over your feet. Wear double-hulled socks that wick water away from your feet while the layers chafe against each other, not your feet. And wear well broken-in hiking boots that have been waterproofed. Avoid wearing brand-new hiking boots. Light plastic gaiters that you can pull on over your hiking boots are good for crossing bogs and small streams, or even muddy patches on a trail. In the evening, wash and dry your feet again, put on another coating of jelly, and wear light footwear. If you pick up any kind of foot injury, treat it right away. Clean your boots at the end of every day and leave them out to dry.
If you have walked or hiked before, you know which parts of your feet are likely to develop blisters. Use moleskin or other preventive tapes on the hot spots. Search the Internet for "Preventing Foot Blisters" for more tips and advice.