St. Anthony is iconic for being on Iceberg Alley, the foggiest place on earth and near to where the Titanic sank. If you are there during the warmer months, the priority must be hitting the trails to see the incredible views of Iceberg Alley. I enjoyed hiking at the spectacular Fishing Point Park and Teahouse Trail on a late summer day and love sharing my discoveries. So, read on to learn about St Anthony Newfoundland trails and Grenfell Museum.
About St. Anthony
St. Anthony is a small fishing village on Iceberg Alley. It’s one of the best places in the world to see icebergs. Most of them calve off the glaciers from Greenland’s east coast. Then, the icebergs float down the Labrador Current to Newfoundland and Labrador annually from spring to early summer. After 15,000 years, they melt to their death along these shores. By late summer the icebergs are gone here. Various iceberg types abound in Newfoundland, such as, tubular, blocky, wedged, dome, pinnacle and dry dock.
There are more than 21 species of whales and dolphins that visit these waters. Whale species, such as, minke, sperm, humpback, orca and blue feed here between May and September. The reason it’s so foggy here is the cold Labrador current mixes with the eastern warm Gulf stream current. Also, be on the lookout for wild blueberries and blackberries in late summer and partridge berries from late September to October.
Check out my YouTube video!
St Anthony Newfoundland Trails
Fishing Point Park
Grenfell Museum and Teahouse Trail
As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I enjoyed my day in port exploring St. Anthony. From the cruise tender, I firstly walked about 2 km to the Fishing Point Park. Here, I explored the rugged coastline and lighthouse and even experienced seeing whales. The trails here, including Daredevil Trail, offer incredible scenery of the Labrador Sea and majestic coastline. Later, I walked back to town center to the Grenfell Museum and Teahouse Trail. Read on to learn about my discoveries of the day.
Fishing Point Park Trails
As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea I enjoyed my day off in this scenic port. It was an incredible August day with clear, blue skies. The icebergs were already melted, but I still enjoyed some of the best views of my life. I walked about 2 km from town to the Fishing Point Park. At this park there are 4 important trails: Santana or Daredevil’s Trail, Whale Watcher’s Trail, Iceberg Alley Trail, and Cartier’s View Trail. Also, there’s the Lightkeeper’s Café near the lighthouse.
I enjoyed the precipitous Daredevil’s Trail with epic views of the Labrador Sea and Iceberg Alley (icebergs melted). I climbed over 400 steps to the top of Fishing Point Head. The views were mesmerizing. This is very much worth the climb. Plus, I practically had it to myself at the top of the sea cliff. During springtime, you could see the icebergs below. Allow yourself about an hour to do this trail.
If you are lucky enough to be here in the spring, don’t miss the Iceberg Alley Trail.
This is a boardwalk which goes along the tip of Fishing Point Park with awesome views of the icebergs. It starts at the red and white Fox Point Lighthouse and is an easy .4 km return. At the end of the boardwalk, I enjoyed seeing 3 humpback whales breaching in the Labrador Sea!
The Whale Watchers Trail is a series of boardwalk and stairs leading to an awesome viewpoint over the Atlantic Ocean. Also, it has a pay telescope and is a great place for whale watching. It’s an easy .8 km return trail.
Cartier’s View Trail is an easy .5-mile up and back trail with views of St. Anthony Harbour.
Grenfell House Museum & Teahouse Trail
Dr. Wilfred Thomason Grenfell dedicated his life to improving the health, education and social conditions for Newfoundland and Labrador. From England, he was sent in 1892 to Labrador as a medical doctor in the Royal National mission to research the fisherman’s conditions. He ended up making St. Anthony his home and serving the communities in northern Newfoundland and Labrador for the rest of his life.
As a medical doctor, he organized donation networks and healthcare for the impoverished locals. Dr. Grenfell practiced medicine and established hospitals, schools and orphanages. His legacy is interwoven in the overall living conditions along the Labrador Sea to this day.
The Grenfell House Museum is where Dr. Grenfell, his wife, Anne and 3 children lived. It is free admissions with donations optional. Behind Curtis Memorial Hospital, the house is perched on Teahouse Hill. It offers beautiful views of the Labrador Sea. Because Dr. Grenfell practiced medicine, the museum showcases interesting examples of early 20th century equipment. Also, I really enjoyed perusing through his medical library.
Behind the museum is the map for the Teahouse Trail. The stairs begin a loop taking you to the top of Teahouse Hill. It is called this because Dr. Grenfell built a teahouse on top the hill for workers to rest and take in the view. The teahouse burned down, but the 1.5 km trail remains. The trail offers 3 lookouts with panoramic views of the Labrador Sea and White hills to the west.
The White Hills are a northern extremity to the Appalachian Mountains. The forest here was planted in early 20th century. Being this north growth is slow, indicated by the narrow growth rings on the trunks. For example, you may see trees over a century in age no taller than a human. Also, Moldow or “old man’s beard,” a boreal lichen, hangs from many tree branches.
Also, If You Have More Time…
Anthony Newfoundland Trails
Get Screeched-In
A fun Newfoundland tradition is the Screech In ritual for “from aways” or tourists. Meant to be pure fun, you can experience a Screech-In ceremony in pubs, on boats and even people’s homes. In St. Anthony Ragnarock Brewery offers Screech-In’s. I experienced mine in St. John’s at Trapper John’s Museum and Pub on George Street. It involves reciting a local saying, kissing a codfish and taking a shot of Screech rum! Once you do this, you are an honorary Newfoundlander!
Other St Anthony Highlights:
L’anse Aux Meadows
Boat Tours
Ragnarock Brewery
