North Head Trail
North Head Trail
5
About
An exhilarating hike featuring rugged coastal beauty, striking views, and historic sites. This challenging trail built by Parks Canada descends 500 ft and includes a narrow coastal path along the Narrows. Caution: This trail is not maintained by the Grand Concourse Authority. Steep cliffs and hazardous sections are common throughout and caution should be exercised at all times.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
204 reviews
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179
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23
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backpacker111ca
Toronto, Canada138 contributions
Sep 2022
Did this trail after arriving in St. John's at the end of the day. A storm was meant to arrive in the morning (Earl) and was encouraged by a local running up the trail to continue. It was getting dark and I was concerned about getting back down safely. In the end I walked back down along the road which was very safe. Stunning vistas along the rugged shore up to Cabot Tower. Stayed to watch the sunset then the lights over the harbour and city! Magical.
Written October 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caribby96
Burnaby, Canada226 contributions
Jul 2023
This trail was so beautiful! We went as a group, and the views were amazing the whole time. There are so many photo opportunities, and we saw whales.
Our tour guide didn't give us a lot of information ahead of time, so some weren't prepared for this hike. Make sure to wear sturdy walking shoes, as this is a hike, and bring lots of water. There are some steep parts and it gets windy.
Our tour guide didn't give us a lot of information ahead of time, so some weren't prepared for this hike. Make sure to wear sturdy walking shoes, as this is a hike, and bring lots of water. There are some steep parts and it gets windy.
Written July 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heidi
Charlottetown, Canada30 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Absolutely stunning! This trail is beautiful and convenient if your looking for some amazing views and a good hike. It’s conveniently located by Signal Hill and in the city of St. John’s. There are a few tougher areas of the trail such as lots of steps and walking on some uneven surfaces such as rocks. But it is a very friendly and safe trail. We saw lots of people of all ages walking the trail and lots of people walking their dogs too!
Written November 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda S
Winnipeg, Canada134 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
This was absolutely crazy. Started out nice and easy and got progressively steeper as he went on. The wind was incredible. I had to hang onto my hat the whole time. This December was quite unusual. Here. It is the 19th and we were able to do the trail from start to finish the views the views the views incredible. I’m at the nicest couple from Toronto and we did the trail together. So much fun. Get your time correctly. I wouldn’t want to be doing this one in the dark.
Written December 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mac
9 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
What a great hike, with amazing views. Dont be scared to take your kids, some of the pics make it look dangerous. We have an 11 and 7 year old and it was perfect for them. I would recommend parking at the visitor center, then take the trail up to Cabot Tower. The kids loved all the canons and history about the war. Then continue on the North Head trail all the way down. The trail is all downhill and easy. We had many stops for blue berries along the trail. The trail eventually ends in the Battery. This is where my wife and kids continued down the hill to the Battery Cafe. They've got great coffee and snacks. I went up the hill to get the car and meet the family at the cafe for a much deserved treat. Dont miss this must see hike.
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie6802
Sainte-Julie, Canada705 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
We did the trail going down, and we absolutely loved it. Magnificent views of the ocean. I was glad we did the trail going down because it was 27 degrees Celsius so people who were going up the 1000 + stairs we very sweaty. A definite must do in St John’s. Walking shoes are a definite must. Our 12 y.o. daughter really enjoyed it too.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie L
Halifax, Canada12 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Spectacular views. Really well maintained path. Not for anyone afraid of heights (or of walking up/down 800 or so steps). Wear comfortable shoes for a hike and bring water. We went from Battery Rd to Cabot Tower and walking up the hill (rather than down) worked well for us. Definitely the highlight of our stay in St. John's.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike from Rival Town
Niagara Falls, Canada1,142 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
We were dead tired by the end of it, but wow that was by far one of the prettiest if not the prettiest hike we’ve ever done. Such beautiful views, and also love how there’s a few lounge chairs set up around the trail here and there for you to sit and relax. Even saw a group of people that brought a cooler and were sitting and sharing beers. Such a cool spot! Breathtaking
Written June 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard E
32 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Not for the faint of heart. Being very afraid of heights, there were a couple of sections that were eerie. Having said that....the views are simply amazing. Once we were done, my Fitbit said we had walked nearly 8000 steps and climbed 70 stories.
Written July 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wloo_andrew
Waterloo, Canada875 contributions
May 2022
The trail starts on the ocean side of the parking lot on Signal Hill and goes down! Down to the rocks along the ocean. Lots of steps down but it's great to see Signal Hill from below and to get close to the ocean along the Narrows leading into St John's harbour. Good footwear (ie not flipflops) are helpful as there are rocks you have to walk over. Great hike right in the city!
Written June 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
am a little confused.............is this trail a loop? where to park and start--at signal hill? will be visiting quidi vidi separatly
Written July 21, 2023
Hi, what are the other options you mentioned for getting to the top of Signal Hill? My husband may not be so interested in the climb. Thanks, we are going next week.
Written August 22, 2019
Yes drive to Signal Hill. You can take the stairs going down to the rock cliffs. There are also some other trails you can take from the parking lot. The North Trail is very scenic and worth the walk and less travelled.
Written August 27, 2019
I have taken the North Head trail from Signal Hill down towards the Narrows and back to the city. I was wondering if the trail going the other direction from Signal Hill toward Quidi Vidi and then around George's Pond and back to the visitor center is just as pretty. I don't think I'll have time to do both.
Written February 7, 2019
The Ladies Trail from Signal Hill to Quidi Vidi has a couple of nice view points but the footing is not great - very big and uneven rock base. Once you get past the lookout, it it basically all in the trees and then onto a gravel path. The North Trail is the winner here - so much prettier and very easy walk on the board walks.
Written August 20, 2019
We are arriving by cruise ship to St Johns Newfoundland. What is the best way to get to the North Head Trail?
Written August 18, 2018
Hello,
You have a couple of options re the North Head Trail.
1) If you go to the top of Signal Hill (you can walk, drive or take the bus to get there), you can then walk down the North Head Trail (well marked) from the top at Signal Hill to the harbour area. I personally think that this is the nicest way to go because the views are spectacular and in front of you.
2) Some people choose to walk up the North Head Trail from the Harbour area to Signal Hill. As a tourist, I am not sure how easy it is to find the beginning of the trail. There are a lot of stairs to climb up. And the view is behind you.
My granddaughter and I did the loop: up Signal Hill Road to the top and then down the North Head Trail. Remember your water, hat, good shoes and sunscreen.
I would not recommend doing the North Head Trail with kids. There are some steep parts close to the edge.
Have fun.
Lynn
Written August 27, 2018
Hi All
Looking for information on Signal Hill and surrounding area.
Can I park a car somewhere, walk up the North Head Trail, explore the Historic Site, walk down to Quidi Vidi,
and buy a sandwich somewhere along the way?
Is this doable?
Is it a good idea?
I like walking if the scenery is interesting.
I prefer hiking uphill, not down.
Thanks
F
Written May 31, 2017
You can park the car close to the trail head, maybe near the Terry Fox memorial. From there it is uphill - a very beautiful and scenic hike. Walking downhill isn't all that bad because the other side of the hill - along the road - is not very steep (but also not that interesting). Once you are down you just follow the Quidi Vidi Road to Quidi Vidi. There is food and there is a brewery in the village.
It is definitely doable, but it will take some time. Specially the last leg from Quidi Vidi to your car isn't that interesting.
Hope that information helps.
Written June 3, 2017
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