Gros Morne Mountain

From the car park, the Approach Trail climbs gently east through forest to the viewing platform at the foot of the mountain, about 4.5 km. There the Summit Trail loop begins: go left, clockwise as Parks Canada asks, up the long gully of steep, loose scree and boulders, using hands for balance at times. Go up it only, never down. Cairns cross the stony plateau to the 806 m summit, the Ten Mile Pond Lookout and the head of Ferry Gulch. A long, bouldery path descends Ferry Gulch to the foot of the gully; return by the Approach Trail.

It is 17.1 km round with 827 m of ascent; allow about 6½ hours. The grade is Hard: loose scree, a rocky plateau and a long boulder descent. Parks Canada puts the climb at about 1,000 m; our height data reads less.

The Summit Trail closes from 1 May to 27 June each year while wildlife raise young, and Parks Canada advises against it from mid-October to 30 April, for snow, ice and short days. Do not go up in cloud. There is no water or shelter. Daily park admission is charged. For a shorter day, walk the Approach Trail to the viewing platform and back.

The car park is free, just off Route 430, the Viking Trail, inland from Rocky Harbour. There is no public transport.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.