Long Range Traverse

Long Range Traverse is a 35 km (22-mile) point-to-point backcountry trek in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s run as a 3 to 5-day hike through the Long Range Mountains, with the route itself left unmarked and unmaintained beyond designated backcountry campsites.

The traverse starts with a boat transfer as part of the access plan: take the Western Brook Pond boat tour to reach the trailhead area at the east end of Western Brook Pond. The route then climbs onto the Long Range plateau via the rugged gorge at the east end of the pond, before heading south across the plateau toward Gros Morne Mountain.

From there, the route works its way across the backcountry toward Ferry Gulch and then returns to Highway 430 by way of the Gros Morne Mountain trail. Expect sustained navigation work—there are no trails on the Long Range Mountains, and beaten paths from earlier parties can be indistinguishable from game trails.

Route finding is a core requirement. In low cloud and reduced visibility, it can get harder to stay on line, and the lack of trail or signage means you need strong wilderness navigation skills and the ability to travel independently between campsites.

The official route uses a series of five campsites as waypoints to help define the corridor through the terrain. Along the way are designated backcountry campsites (with tent platforms, composting toilets, and bear-proof food storage lockers noted in trip reports), but there is no established trail for following from one milestone to the next.

Hiking seasons and reservations are tightly managed. The operating window runs June 28 through September 30, daily departures are limited to 3 groups per day with a maximum of 4 people per group, and you must report to the visitor centre at 2:30 p.m. the day before your scheduled departure for a safety briefing and to obtain the backcountry permit.

The terrain is strenuous and can involve steep elevations and rough wet ground in addition to unmarked route travel. Plan for conditions to change quickly in the Long Range Mountains and be prepared for difficult footing and slower progress when visibility drops or weather turns.

More information: Visitor information, Your Complete Guide to the Long Range Traverse in ..., The Ultimate Guide to the Long Range Traverse in Gros Morne