Torngat Mountains

The Torngat Mountains are a rugged Arctic mountain range at the northern tip of the Labrador Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The range contains some of the province’s highest peaks and extensive coastal fjords.

Steep coastal cliffs, deep glacial fjords, tundra plateaus and high peaks such as Mount Caubvick/Mont D’Iberville at about 1,652 metres. The region is prized for remote wilderness travel, wildlife viewing including polar bears along the coast, and dramatic mountain scenery.

The area has been used for millennia by Inuit and earlier peoples for seasonal hunting and travel. In the 21st century a large portion of the range was designated a national park to protect its natural and cultural values, with management arrangements involving Labrador Inuit organizations.

Geographically the range occupies the far northern Labrador coast, extending along the peninsula’s tip and lining the shores of Ungava Bay and adjacent seas. The mountains are remote from major road networks and lie within a coastal Arctic environment.

• Access restrictions: There are no roads across the range; access for visitors is by charter boat or air only, and guided trips are recommended for safety and navigation.
• Wildlife and cultural use: The area supports polar bears along coastal zones and is a significant place for traditional Inuit hunting and seasonal use.

What to See#

• Mount Caubvick (Mont D’Iberville): A coastal massif whose highest summit, Mount Caubvick/Mont D’Iberville, reaches approximately 1,652 metres, making it the tallest peak in the region.
• Fjords and coastal cliffs: Deep glacial fjords, steep coastal cliffs and valleys that provide the principal routes for boat access and dramatic coastal scenery.
• Torngat Mountains National Park: The national park established to protect the range and its cultural landscape, managed in cooperation with Labrador Inuit organizations and providing access by air and sea only.

Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Labrador has no road access. The usual approach is to fly to Happy Valley-Goose Bay (the region’s main airport) or to the coastal community of Nain, then continue by chartered small aircraft (floatplane or bush plane) or by boat from coastal communities in summer. Expect transfers to be arranged through tour operators or local charter companies - there are no scheduled road links into the park.

• Access is by air or sea only - there are no roads into Torngat Mountains National Park; book a charter flight from Nain or an organized expedition cruise well in advance as operators and landing slots are limited.
• Plan for mid-summer (July-August) when fjords and tundra are most accessible and wildlife (including polar bears and nesting seabirds) is most visible; outside this window sea ice and weather greatly restrict travel.
• Register with Parks Canada and coordinate with local Inuit outfitters in Nain before you go - the park is largely unserviced, guided trips increase safety and are the best way to see interior valleys and archaeological sites that casual cruise visitors miss.