Western Brook Pond Trail

Western Brook Pond Trail is the flat, gravel approach into Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne National Park (Newfoundland and Labrador). Expect a straightforward out-and-back day hike from the parking area to the dock used for Western Brook Pond boat tours, then retrace your steps back.

Most parties do it as a short trip: about 3 km one-way (roughly 6 km round-trip). Typical timing is 1.5–2 hours round-trip, but plan extra if you linger at the dock or on side paths near the end of the trail.

The walking surface is crushed stone/gravel on a fairly level tread. Near the end there’s an optional rugged loop (described as about 2 km) that can get very muddy, so treat that spur as the only “adds time/conditions” variation on an otherwise easy walk.

The trail’s end point is the boat dock at Western Brook Pond, tying the hike directly to the boat-tour experience. This also makes the route a common gateway for longer backcountry routes that start from the Western Brook Pond side of the park.

For advanced hikers, Western Brook Pond Trail serves as the access point to bigger objectives in the Long Range backcountry. One example is the Long Range Traverse (a 35 km, 3 to 5 day unmarked route requiring Parks Canada permits and strong navigation skills).

Parks Canada’s backcountry experience pages emphasize that the Long Range Mountains themselves have no trails. If you’re continuing beyond the day hike, you’re leaving the maintained gravel environment for unmarked sub-arctic terrain where wayfinding and route-finding are the main challenge.

More information: Visitor information, Visitor information, Western Brook Pond Tour - Bontours