Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Martin's
( 709-458-7845, 709-453-2207)
Operates weekdays, departing for Woody Point
($18, 1½ hours) and Trout River ($20, two hours) at 4:30pm. Returns from Trout River
at 9am.
Pittman's
( 709-458-2486)
Runs to Rocky Harbour ($30, two hours) via Deer Lake on
weekdays at 4:30pm. Departs Rocky Harbour at noon.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Corner Brook
Blomidon Mountains
The Blomidon Mountains (aka Blow Me Down Mountains), heaved skyward from a col-
lision with Europe around 500 million years ago, run along the south side of the Humber
Arm. They're tantalizing for hikers, providing many sea vistas and glimpses of the resid-
ent caribou population. Some of the trails, especially ones up on the barrens, are not well
marked, so topographical maps and a compass are essential for all hikers.
Many trails are signposted off Rte 450, which runs west from Corner Brook along the
water for 60km. One of the easiest and most popular is
Blow Me Down Brook Trail
(5km), which begins west of Frenchman's Cove at a parking lot. The trail can be fol-
lowed for an hour or so; for more avid hikers it continues well into the mountains, where
it becomes part of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT). The moderately difficult
Copper Mine Trail
(7km), by York Harbour, provides awesome views of the Bay of Is-
lands and also links to the IAT.
Further on,
Blow Me Down Provincial Park
(
709-681-2430;
www.nlcamping.ca
;
Rte
450; campsites $15, per vehicle $5;
Jun-Aug)
has beaches and scenery.
Stephenville
As the drive into town past deserted hangars, piles of rusted pipes and tract housing por-
tends, Stephenville is in the running for Newfoundland's least appealing town. There's
not much reason to stop, except for the
Stephenville Theatre Festival
(
www.stephenvilletheatrefestival.com
; Jul & Aug)
. It sweeps into town in summer toting
along the Bard, Broadway and - to stir the pot - some cutting-edge Newfoundland plays.
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