Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
St Barbe to L'anse aux Meadows
As the Viking Trail nears St Barbe, the waters of the gulf quickly narrow and give visit-
ors their first opportunity to see the desolate shores of Labrador. Ferries take advantage
of this convergence and ply the route between St Barbe and the Labrador Straits ( Click
here ) . At Eddies Cove, the road leaves the coast and heads inland.
As you approach the northern tip of the peninsula, Rte 430 veers off toward St
Anthony, and two new roads take over leading to several diminutive fishing villages that
provide perfect bases for your visit to L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site.
Route 436 hugs the eastern shore and passes through (from south to north) St Lunaire-
Griquet, Gunners Cove, Straitsview and L'Anse aux Meadows village. Route 437 heads
in a more westerly direction through Pistolet Bay, Raleigh and Cape Onion.
Sights
L'Anse aux Meadows
National Historic Site HISTORIC SITE
( 709-623-2608; www.pc.gc.ca/lanseauxmeadows ; Rte 436; adult/child/family $11.70/5.80/
29.40; 9am-6pm Jun-Sep) Leif Eriksson and his Viking friends lived here circa AD
1000. The remains of their waterside settlement - eight wood-and-sod buildings, now
just vague outlines left in the spongy ground - are what visitors can see, plus three rep-
lica buildings inhabited by costumed docents. The latter have names such as 'Thora' and
'Bjorn' and simulate Viking chores such as spinning fleece and forging nails. Allow two
or three hours to walk around and absorb the ambience.
The premise may seem dull - visiting a bog in the middle of nowhere and staring at
the spot where a couple of old sod houses once stood - but somehow this site lying in a
forlorn sweep of land turns out to be one of Newfoundland's most stirring attractions.
Be sure to browse the interpretive center and watch the introductory film, which tells
the captivating story of Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad, who rediscoverd the site.
Also worthwhile is the 3km trail that winds through the barren terrain and along the coast
surrounding the interpretive center.
Norstead HISTORIC VILLAGE
( 709-623-2828; www.norstead.com ; Rte 436; adult/child/family $10/6.50/30;
9:30am-5:30pm Jun-Sep) Can't get enough of the long-bearded Viking lifestyle? Stop by
Norstead, just beyond the turnoff to the national historic site. It's a recreation of a Viking
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