News

The New York Times has put Labrador at the top of its list of up and coming destinations to visit now - before the rest of the world catches on!

Be there a birder in temperate North America that has not dreamed of a visit to Labrador much like J.J. Audubon did. Well dream no more! You may not be able to follow in the footsteps of J.J., but you can now drive into and across the Labrador Peninsula.

In 1987, Route 389 from Baie-Comeau, PQ, was opened, allowing one to drive the 375 miles northward through Quebec and into western Labrador. In 1991, Highway 500 was pushed through 300 miles of wilderness to Goose Bay in central Labrador. Finally, at the end of 2009, the Trans-Labrador Highway made the 230-mile connection to Cartwright on coastal Labrador then onward 200 miles to the lower north shore of Quebec.

Cain’s Quest Snowmobile Endurance Race is the main annual winter event in Labrador and is said to be the ultimate in extreme racing. On March 12, 2011, racers will gather in Labrador City and roar off on a 2,500-km journey through the Labrador wild, hitting 18 remote checkpoints and a further nine community checkpoints. Racers will have to bring their “A game” in this true test of endurance. And indeed they should. Racers compete for a shot at a $65,000 prize purse.

In March 2011, Cain’s Quest will be hosting its first ever “Ladies Edition”. At 650 km, in a race to Churchill Falls and back, ladies will compete for a $20,000 prize purse.d

Camping at 40 years old brings back the same summer rush I had for adventure in my earlier days exploring Gros Morne National Park. Last July’s excursion to a 90-km stretch of beach in Labrador called the Wonderstrands proved I was still able to hike 100 km of wilderness and camp for seven days – and call it vacation! It was so much fun.

The Wonderstrands is located in what is now the Mealy Mountain National Park Reserve. At 11,000 square km, it’s the largest protected area in eastern Canada. Best of all, it’s just a day’s ride from other fantastic adventures in the Labrador Straits region, including Gros Morne, Iceberg Alley and Battle Harbour National Historic Site. For my wife Rufina and I, it was only a kayak trip from Cartwright.

The Land of Spirits: This Globe and Mail feature is all about Canada’s newest national park — Torngat Mountains National Park in Labrador. From polar bear sightings to ice bergs, all seen within one of the last untouched wilderness areas in the world, the experience was clearly an unforgettable one for the writer.

New York Daily News - This photo gallery outlines the top 10 reasons to love Newfoundland and Labrador, from puffin and whale sightings to stunning scenery, hiking trails and cutting-edge cuisine. And why just stop at 10? We can think of at least 10 more!