Long Range Traverse Trail

Quick facts for planning the Long Range Traverse through Gros Morne National Park.

Time to Hike: 4-5 days, roughly 35 km of mostly unmarked, cross-country travel with daily mileage varying by terrain and detours.

Best Time to Go: Mid summer to early autumn is the most reliable window; expect the easiest travel July to early September when snow is minimal and river levels are lower.

Getting there: Fly into Deer Lake Regional Airport and drive or take local transport west to Rocky Harbour or Norris Point to reach park access roads; most parties set out from western access points.

Costs: Parks Canada entry fees apply; the traverse has no maintained huts so plan for camping gear. Budget depends on transport and gear - expect additional costs for car rental, fuel or a shuttle.

Difficulty: Unmarked route requiring strong navigation, comfort on wet boggy ground, rocky ridgelines and occasional steep scree. Remoteness, sudden weather changes, river crossings and biting insects add objective hazards.

Gros Morne National Park’s Long Range Traverse threads through a mix of ancient exposed bedrock and coastal scenery. The route crosses the bright, barren Tablelands, tundra-like ridges of the Long Range Mountains and offers intermittent views down to deep fjords such as Western Brook Pond. You will see dramatic rock formations, glacially carved valleys and frequent coastal panoramas.

This is unmarked backcountry rather than a maintained trail. There are designated campgrounds and marked trails elsewhere in the park but the traverse itself relies on wild camping and informal sites. Water is usually available from streams but must be treated; expect moose sign and seabirds along the coast rather than large predator encounters. The route is notable for its geology and immediate sense of remoteness within a compact multi-day outing.

The nearest regional airport is Deer Lake; the larger city St. John’s is several hours away by road or a short connecting flight. From Deer Lake most hikers drive or arrange a shuttle to Rocky Harbour or Norris Point, which serve as common access points to western parts of the park.

Park roads and logging tracks provide access to different entry points; because the traverse is unmarked many teams organise a car shuttle or local drop-off to avoid retracing approach roads. Check local road conditions and ferry timetables if combining coastal access.

The usual walking season for the traverse is July to early September when snow is least likely on higher ground and rivers are lower. Outside this window persistent snow, wet bogs and shortened daylight make cross-country routefinding much harder.

Book any Parks Canada campground reservations or check park entry rules before you go and be prepared for rapid weather changes, persistent fog, heavy rain and summer insects. Strong map, compass and GPS skills are essential because the route is unmarked and rescue response can be slow in remote sections.