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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
204 reviews
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Julie6802
Sainte-Julie, Canada655 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 6 August 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.
Caribby96
Burnaby, Canada227 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 28 July 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.
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 5 July 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.
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 19 December 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.
Mike from Rival Town
Niagara Falls, Canada1,065 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 7 June 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 13 July 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, Canada881 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 15 June 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.
Bucko007
Sudbury, Canada1,037 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Amazing vistas. Not an easy hike especially for someone afraid of heights. Three navy ships left port during our walk and it was amazing to witness. Lots of ups and downs. Your Fitbit will enjoy the day. Lol
Written 16 July 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.
Ingle
Vancouver, Canada1,114 contributions
Oct 2019
You’ll have read about the spectacular scenery, the well-maintained trail made up of packed dirt, rock, boardwalk, and wooden steps, and the little Adirondack chair pairs, so I won’t spend any time on those.
We were challenged by a dearth of information on logistics - exactly where to park and exactly how to get back there. I’ll provide details - and photos - on that.
First off, unless you are doing the trail principally for exercise, I suggest that you walk a little uphill and a long trail down, rather than the reverse.
If you have a car, I recommend you park at Johnson Geo-Vista on the L on the road up to Signal Hill. Big sign, can’t miss it. Deadman’s Pond (see photo) is opposite on the R. Then walk on the sidewalk the rest of the way up. Before you reach the parking lot for Cabot Tower, where the road takes a sharp R, take a 3 minute detour to Ladies Lookout (photo) on your L for the highest point. Then return and start the North Head Trail, with a long, curving flight of stairs down (photo). Walk around the hill flanking the coast until you come to the end, when you walk across someone’s porch (photo) to get to the Outer Battery Road.
Follow Outer Battery Rd past little homes and buildings, and a large grey wall mural (photo) on the R, until you come to Hipditch Hill veering sharply off to the R. Take that until you see a set of wooden steps marked Trail (photo), on the L beside a blue house (photo). Take that and climb up keeping to the L (it’s unmarked) as you walk the path. It’s about 5-6 mins from the top of the stairs to Deadman’s Pond. You will approach the pond from behind, and walk L around it. Johnson Geo-Vista is in front of you, across the street. That’s the fastest and most scenic route back and beats taking the long road back.
The chain-link rail is for comfort where the trail is at its narrowest point above the cliff (photo shows the entire length of it) but its use is not even necessary. The hike is a safe and relatively easy 1.7 km, especially if going from top to bottom.
Make sure your camera is fully charged. After pooh-poohing selfie sticks, we used a gift one received several years ago for the first time and took some gorgeous shots. No flipflops. Running or hiking shoes are a must.
We were challenged by a dearth of information on logistics - exactly where to park and exactly how to get back there. I’ll provide details - and photos - on that.
First off, unless you are doing the trail principally for exercise, I suggest that you walk a little uphill and a long trail down, rather than the reverse.
If you have a car, I recommend you park at Johnson Geo-Vista on the L on the road up to Signal Hill. Big sign, can’t miss it. Deadman’s Pond (see photo) is opposite on the R. Then walk on the sidewalk the rest of the way up. Before you reach the parking lot for Cabot Tower, where the road takes a sharp R, take a 3 minute detour to Ladies Lookout (photo) on your L for the highest point. Then return and start the North Head Trail, with a long, curving flight of stairs down (photo). Walk around the hill flanking the coast until you come to the end, when you walk across someone’s porch (photo) to get to the Outer Battery Road.
Follow Outer Battery Rd past little homes and buildings, and a large grey wall mural (photo) on the R, until you come to Hipditch Hill veering sharply off to the R. Take that until you see a set of wooden steps marked Trail (photo), on the L beside a blue house (photo). Take that and climb up keeping to the L (it’s unmarked) as you walk the path. It’s about 5-6 mins from the top of the stairs to Deadman’s Pond. You will approach the pond from behind, and walk L around it. Johnson Geo-Vista is in front of you, across the street. That’s the fastest and most scenic route back and beats taking the long road back.
The chain-link rail is for comfort where the trail is at its narrowest point above the cliff (photo shows the entire length of it) but its use is not even necessary. The hike is a safe and relatively easy 1.7 km, especially if going from top to bottom.
Make sure your camera is fully charged. After pooh-poohing selfie sticks, we used a gift one received several years ago for the first time and took some gorgeous shots. No flipflops. Running or hiking shoes are a must.
Written 3 November 2019
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.
polarman957
St. John's, Canada4 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
The Trail can start at Signal Hill desending by numerus steep steps to the coast line by witch it follows to the entrance of St Johns Harbour and by a number of homes called The Battery, a part of St Johns .One should cover The Trail to The Battery in an hour subject to traffic on the trail . Some start The Trail at The Battery. Its just the reverse of starting at Signal Hill. The Trail partwooden walkway, gravel with rocks is not difficult,there are sitting areas but no washrm facilities. The scenery is stunning,icebergs in season, whales, ships entering the harbour including Cruise Ships in season,fog creeping in and out of the Harbour and to the North East Cape Spear , the most easterly point in North America. One should not forget looking up at Cabot Tower where Marconi received the first wireless ' letter' in 1901 .A Trail truly stimulating and having it ALL.
Written 12 December 2018
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 21 July 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 22 August 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 27 August 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 7 February 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 20 August 2019
We are arriving by cruise ship to St Johns Newfoundland. What is the best way to get to the North Head Trail?
Written 18 August 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 27 August 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 31 May 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 3 June 2017
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