Tablelands

4 kms
3hours
easy
Hiking, Back Country Skiing
Winter, Summer
Bonne Bay, NF

TheCodfather

This easy 4km trail begins near the town of Woody Point in the

southern portion of Gros Morne National Park. It is the only park

trail that really lets you appreciate the magnificent spectacle that

is the Tablelands. The 600m plateau rises up above Bonne Bay

like a red giant, dominating the landscape. This 500million year

old mountain chain was created when a large slab of the Earths

mantle was thrust up through the surface. The peridotite rock

found here usually lays buried 12km underneath the surface.

The trail follows an old road from the parking lot to the start of

Winterhouse Brook Canyon. It winds its way through the alien red

rock that would look more at place on Mars than on Earth. Glaciers

have carved the shape of the mountains and several large

canyons remain as a reminder of the last ice age.

The plant life on the tablelands is also quite rare and unique. The

rare isolated pockets of serpentine barrens give rise to a full

community of arctic alpine species. Many of the dwarf plants that

grow here may be hundreds of years old and less than an inch tall.

The harsh environment has forced many clearly noticeable

adaptations on the local flora.

A small stream at the end of the trail makes for an excellent

resting place and is a great little spot for photographers or artists.

The rocks near the stream are composed of green serpentine and

sometimes form patterns that look similar to snakeskin.

The Tablelands hike is very short hike that can be done in two

hours but it is a must do for all visitors to Gros Morne National

Park. The geology here is a major reason that the park was

established and a huge factor in receiving recognition from

UNESCO. This amazing place offers spectacular scenery that can

be seen nowhere else in the world. If you visit western

Newfoundland don't put this one off.

Ryan Young

Newfoundland Editor

Directions:

Take route 430 (viking trail) north from Deer Lake to Wiltondale.

Then turn left onto route 431 and follow it to the town of Woody

Point. Turn left at the exit to Trout River and watch for the sign

that signals the trailhead.