Skerwink Trail

Skerwink Trail Port Rexton | Top 35 Trail in North America | Visit Newfoundland & Labrador
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🏆 Top 35 Trail in North America & Europe
🆓 Free Access · Dogs Welcome
Port Rexton · Bonavista Peninsula · Eastern Newfoundland

Skerwink
Trail

Sea stacks. Clifftop forests. Whales in Trinity Bay. A trail so spectacular it was ranked among the top 35 in all of North America and Europe and it’s completely free.

📏 5.3 km Loop
⏱️ 1.5–2.5 hrs
⚡ Moderate Difficulty
🆓 Free Access
🐋 Whales · Eagles · Icebergs
Get Directions to Trailhead Plan My Bonavista Trip
📏
5.3 km
Loop Distance
⏱️
1.5–2.5 hrs
Average Completion
⚡
Moderate
Difficulty
🏆
Top 35
N. America & Europe
🆓
Free
No Entry Fee
📍
Rocky Hill Rd
Port Rexton Trailhead
Hiker on Skerwink Trail coastal cliffs Port Rexton Bonavista Peninsula Newfoundland
Top 35 Trails in North
America & Europe
About the Trail

One of North America’s
Great Short Hikes

The Skerwink Trail is the kind of hike that ruins other hikes for you. A 5.3 km loop trail near Port Rexton on Newfoundland’s Bonavista Peninsula, it has been ranked among the top 35 trails in all of North America and Europe and that ranking is no mystery once you’re standing on the clifftop with sea stacks rising from the water below, bald eagles circling overhead, and humpback whales breaking the surface in Trinity Bay.

The trail winds through two very different worlds. In the forest sections, you’re immersed in the damp, mossy hush of the Newfoundland boreal spruce and fir arching overhead, wildflowers crowding the path, and the smell of salt just hinting through the trees. Then the forest opens and the full drama of the Newfoundland coast hits you at once. Sea stacks, rugged cliffs, Trinity Bay stretching to the horizon, and the constant sound of waves breaking far below.

It’s free. It takes about two hours. And it is one of the most extraordinary two hours available to any visitor to Newfoundland.

Coastal HikingSea StacksWhale Watching Bald EaglesIcebergsPhotography Boreal ForestFree AccessDogs Welcome
Trail Route

The Skerwink Trail
Step by Step

The trail is a loop you can hike it in either direction from the trailhead on Rocky Hill Road in Port Rexton. Most hikers go clockwise, hitting the coastal clifftop sections in the first half of the hike while energy is highest. Here’s what to expect along the way:

1

Trailhead Rocky Hill Road, Port Rexton

Park in the designated lot (arrives early fills fast in peak season). Well-signposted entrance. Dogs on leash allowed. No fee.

2

Boreal Forest Section

The trail begins in dense coastal boreal forest mossy, cool, quiet. Wild flowers line the path in summer. Listen for eagles before you see them.

3

First Clifftop Viewpoint

The trees thin and suddenly the Atlantic opens up. Your first panoramic views of Trinity Bay, sea stacks, and the coastline stretching in both directions. Stop here. Breathe it in.

4

Sea Stack Clifftops

The trail traces the cliff edge through its most dramatic section towering rock formations rise from the water below, waves crash against the base, and bald eagles are often spotted riding the updrafts. Scan the water for whales.

5

Rocky & Rooted Terrain

Some sections are rocky and root-crossed. This is why sturdy footwear matters trail runners or hiking boots essential. Take your time near the cliff edges.

6

Return Through Forest

The loop’s second half returns through mixed boreal forest, giving your legs a rest from the cliff-edge exposure before the trailhead. Total loop: ~5.3 km.

Skerwink Trail hiker sea stack view Newfoundland coast Skerwink Trail clifftop Trinity Bay Bonavista Peninsula
Skerwink Trail panoramic coastal view Atlantic Ocean Newfoundland
Skerwink Clifftops
Hiker Skerwink Trail boreal forest sea view
Forest & Sea
Skerwink Trail sea stacks rugged coastline Port Rexton
Sea Stacks
Skerwink Trail hikers coastal views Trinity Bay
Trinity Bay Views
Skerwink Trail wildflowers coastal path Newfoundland
Wildflowers & Trail
Wildlife & Natural Features

What to Watch For on the Trail

The Skerwink Trail is exceptional for wildlife spotting keep eyes on the water, sky, and rocks at all times.

Humpback whale Trinity Bay Skerwink Trail
🐋 Most Exciting Sighting
Humpback & Minke Whales
Trinity Bay is a productive feeding ground for humpback, minke, and fin whales from June through August. From the high clifftops of the Skerwink Trail, you often have a direct sightline down onto surfacing whales. Keep your binoculars ready and your eyes on the water at every viewpoint.
Jun–Aug Peak
Bald eagle soaring Skerwink Trail cliffs Newfoundland
🦅 Regularly Spotted
Bald Eagles
Bald eagles are a frequent sight on the Skerwink Trail, riding the updrafts above the sea cliffs and hunting over Trinity Bay. Look up as you approach any exposed clifftop section you’ll often hear the call before you see the bird.
Year-Round
Icebergs Trinity Bay Bonavista Peninsula spring
🧊 Spring Spectacle
Icebergs in Trinity Bay
In May and June, icebergs drift south through Trinity Bay on the Labrador Current and some of the best iceberg viewing in Newfoundland happens from the clifftops of the Skerwink Trail. The combination of icebergs, whales, and wildflowers in early June is extraordinary.
May–June
Atlantic puffins seabirds Bonavista Peninsula area
🐦 Seabirds & Puffins
Puffins, Gannets & Seabirds
The coastal cliffs along the trail are prime seabird habitat. Puffins, common murres, black-legged kittiwakes, and northern gannets are all spotted from the trail. For a dedicated puffin experience, combine the Skerwink with a visit to Elliston (just 30 minutes away).
May–Sep
Hiker’s Checklist

What to Bring on the Skerwink Trail

The trail is free and well-marked, but Newfoundland coastal weather demands preparation. Come ready and you’ll have the time of your life.

👟
Proper Footwear
Sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners with ankle support are essential. The trail has rocky and root-covered sections, and near cliff edges the ground can be uneven. Casual sneakers or sandals are not suitable this is a genuine coastal hike with exposed terrain.
🧥
Windproof Jacket
Even on a warm summer day, the clifftop sections of the trail can be intensely windy and the temperature can drop quickly with sea fog. Always bring a windproof outer layer regardless of the forecast Newfoundland coastal weather is famously unpredictable.
💧
Water & Snacks
There are no services on the trail bring plenty of water (at least 1 litre per person) and trail snacks. Most hikers stop at a clifftop viewpoint for a snack break sitting with the Atlantic below you is one of the great trail lunches in Newfoundland.
📷
Camera & Binoculars
The Skerwink Trail is a photographer’s paradise. Bring your best camera, a wide lens for panoramas, and binoculars for wildlife you’ll want to identify what’s surfacing out in Trinity Bay. Phone cameras work well in good light from the viewpoints.
🌿
Bug Spray (Summer)
The forest sections of the trail can have blackflies and mosquitoes in June and July. Bug spray is strongly recommended for early summer hiking. The bugs are much less of an issue in August and September, and non-existent in the open clifftop sections.
🐕
Leash for Dogs
Dogs are welcome on the Skerwink Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times for the safety of both the dog (cliff edges) and the nesting seabirds along the trail. Most dogs handle the terrain well, but be mindful of the exposed sections near the sea stacks.
Plan Your Visit

Everything You Need to Know

Practical information for hiking the Skerwink Trail.

📍
Getting to the Trailhead
🗺️

Address

Rocky Hill Road, Port Rexton (Trinity East), Bonavista Peninsula, NL A0C 2H0

🚗

From St. John’s

Drive west on Trans-Canada to Clarenville (~2 hrs), then northeast on Route 230 to Trinity/Port Rexton (~1 hr). Total approximately 3 hours from St. John’s.

🅿️

Parking

Designated parking lot at the trailhead. Arrives early in peak season the lot fills by late morning on busy summer weekends. No RV or oversized vehicle area.

📞

Trail Contact

Town of Port Rexton townofportrexton.com · 709-464-2006

🗺️

Google Maps

Open Skerwink Trail in Maps →

⏰ Arrive Early on Summer Weekends

The Skerwink Trail is Newfoundland’s most popular hiking trail. On peak summer weekends (July–August), the parking lot fills by 9–10am and vehicles park along Rocky Hill Road. Get there by 8am for the full experience and the best light for photography.

🆓 Completely Free

No entrance fee, no permit, no reservation required. The Skerwink Trail is maintained by the Town of Port Rexton and is free to access year-round. A donation to the town’s trail maintenance fund is appreciated.

🍺 Reward Yourself at Port Rexton Brewery

Port Rexton Brewery is just minutes from the trailhead award-winning craft beer in a beautiful taproom. The best post-hike reward on the Bonavista Peninsula. Open daily in season.

⚠️ Stay on the Marked Trail

The cliff edges can be dangerous, especially in wet or foggy conditions. Stay on the marked trail at all times and keep a safe distance from cliff edges. The trail is well-marked with signage throughout.

🏘️ Combine with Trinity

Trinity village is just 10–15 minutes from the trailhead. Hike Skerwink in the morning, then spend the afternoon exploring Trinity’s heritage buildings, harbour, and if you’re lucky a Rising Tide Theatre performance.

When to Hike

Best Time to Visit the Skerwink Trail

The trail is open year-round and genuinely spectacular in every season here’s what to expect.

Spring
May — June

Icebergs drift past in Trinity Bay. Whales arrive. Wildflowers are at peak. The trail is quieter than summer one of the best times to hike.

  • Icebergs in Trinity Bay
  • Wildflowers in bloom
  • Puffins return in May
🧊 Icebergs + Whales
Summer
July — August

Warmest temperatures, longest days, peak whale watching, puffins in full swing. The most popular time arrive early on weekends.

  • Peak whale watching
  • Warmest weather
  • Busiest parking lot
🔥 Most Popular
Autumn
Sept — October

The most dramatic light of the year. Fall colours frame the clifftops. Far fewer hikers you may have the trail to yourself. Crisp, clear air and excellent visibility.

  • Fall foliage & colours
  • Fewer crowds
  • Dramatic light
📸 Best for Photography
Winter
Nov — April

Accessible but icy in places. The trail is raw and wild in winter dramatic sea views, total solitude. For experienced hikers with appropriate gear.

  • Icy terrain caution
  • Complete solitude
  • Dramatic winter seas
While You’re Here

Make a Full Day on the Bonavista Peninsula

The Skerwink Trail is the perfect centrepiece of a full Bonavista day here’s what to pair it with.

Trinity village Bonavista Peninsula harbour historic
Trinity Village
↓ 10–15 min from trailhead
Canada’s most perfectly preserved historic outport village. Heritage buildings, waterfront dining, Rising Tide Theatre, whale watching tours, and kayaking. The ideal afternoon after your morning hike.
Dungeon Provincial Park sea stack natural arch Bonavista
Dungeon Provincial Park
↓ ~35 min from trailhead
A spectacular collapsed sea cave with a natural arch, just outside Bonavista town. Free admission, dramatic scenery, and a completely different coastal experience from the Skerwink.
Elliston puffin colony Bonavista Peninsula viewing site
Elliston Puffin Colony
↓ ~40 min from trailhead
Walk right to the cliff edge and watch Atlantic puffins nesting metres away the most accessible puffin colony in North America. Free. Open May–September. A must-pair with the Skerwink.
Port Rexton Brewery craft beer taproom Bonavista Peninsula
Port Rexton Brewery
↓ 5 min from trailhead
Award-winning craft brewery just minutes from the Skerwink trailhead. Cold, excellent beer in a beautiful taproom the definitive post-hike reward on the Bonavista Peninsula. Open daily in season.
FAQ

Common Questions About the Skerwink Trail

Everything you need to plan your Skerwink hike.

The Skerwink Trail is approximately 5.3 kilometres as a loop trail and typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours to complete, depending on your pace and photo stops. It is rated moderate difficulty well-marked and maintained throughout, with some steep sections near the cliff edges and rocky terrain in places. Most reasonably fit hikers can complete it, but sturdy footwear is essential. Some sections require careful footing near the clifftops.
The Skerwink Trail trailhead and parking area is on Rocky Hill Road in Port Rexton, Trinity East on the Bonavista Peninsula. The address is Port Rexton, NL A0C 2H0. The trailhead is well-signposted follow signs from the main road in Port Rexton. From St. John’s, it’s approximately 3 hours drive via the Trans-Canada to Clarenville and then Route 230 northeast to Port Rexton. From Trinity village, it’s just 10–15 minutes by car.
Yes the Skerwink Trail is completely free to access. No entry fee, no permit, no reservation required. The trail is open year-round and is maintained by the Town of Port Rexton. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times, for their own safety near cliff edges and to protect nesting seabirds along the trail.
Yes to both the Skerwink Trail is one of the best land-based wildlife watching spots on the Bonavista Peninsula. Humpback and minke whales are regularly spotted from the clifftop viewpoints from June through August Trinity Bay is a productive feeding ground. Icebergs drift through Trinity Bay in May and June and are visible from the trail’s open clifftop sections. Bring binoculars. Bald eagles are also frequently seen soaring above the sea stacks.
The trail is spectacular in every season. Late May to early June is extraordinary icebergs in the bay, wildflowers on the trail, first whales arriving, and far fewer crowds than summer. July and August are the busiest months with the warmest weather and best whale watching. September and October offer dramatic fall colours, fantastic light for photography, and near-empty trails. Avoid icy winter conditions unless well-equipped.
The Skerwink Trail received this ranking because of its extraordinary combination of features within a very accessible distance and difficulty level. Few short hikes anywhere in the world can match its combination of dramatic sea stacks, clifftop ocean views, boreal forest immersion, reliable whale and eagle sightings, iceberg potential, and complete freedom from fees or permits. It delivers the full Newfoundland coastal wilderness experience in a 5 km package that most hikers can complete comfortably in an afternoon.
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