Wilderness Hiking in the Long Range Mountains

The Long Range Mountains provides hikers with some of the most scenic and challenging hiking terrain in eastern North America. For the experienced backcountry hiker, hiking in the Long Range Mountains can be both rewarding as well as physically and mentally challenging. It is remote, strenuous, and potentially hazardous.

There are no built trails on the Long Range although there are a number of backcountry routes. These routes are not marked with signs or maintained in any manner. Hikers need backcountry travel experience, be self-reliant, and proficient using maps, compass, and GPS to navigate unfamiliar wilderness terrain.

For an overview of the challenges and the possible routes:

• Watch our video here 
• Download:
  • Long Range & Northern Traverse Backcountry Hiking Map (PDF, 6.9 MB)  
  • Hiker Preparation Guide to the Long Range Mountains (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Routes

Within Gros Morne National Park, there are seven backcountry hiking routes leading onto the Long Range Mountains. All are unmarked routes or include sections of unmarked routes that require wilderness navigation skills. These routes vary in length, difficulty, and hiking times but all climb onto the Long Range plateau and are challenging.

Day hikes

Western Brook Pond Gorge - Guided Hike (10 - 12 hours)

Enjoy a challenging guided day hike to the top of Western Brook Pond gorge with Bontours. For additional information on this experience, visit Bontours.ca or call 1-888-458-2016.

Snug Harbour (6 - 8 hours, 15 km)

Follow an unmarked route to scenic Snug Harbour on the shores of Western Brook Pond. This secluded cove is located at the base of the escarpment of the Long Range Mountains where you can enjoy a close-up view of Western Brook Pond’s 650 metre cliffs.

Overnight hikes (reservations required)

Snug Harbour to North Rim (2 days, 24 km)

Backpack the primitive Snug Harbour trail and camp at Snug Harbour. Then day hike to a viewpoint on the cliffs of the North Rim looking down on Western Brook Pond gorge.

Ferry Gulch to Bakeapple Pond (2 days, 20 km)

Backpack along the Gros Morne Mountain trail and camp at Ferry Gulch. Then day hike onto Crow Cliff towards Bakeapple Pond and the view over Ten Mile Pond.

Through hikes (reservations required)

Northern Traverse (3 - 4 days, 27 km)

Climb onto the Long Range plateau through the rugged gorge at the east end of Western Brook Pond. Then return by a challenging westerly route north of Western Brook Pond.

Long Range Traverse (3 - 5 days, 35 km)

Climb onto the Long Range plateau through the rugged gorge at the east end of Western Brook Pond. Then backpack south across the plateau towards Gros Morne Mountain.

Combined Northern and Long Range Traverse (5 - 7 days, 60 km)

For a longer backpacking route, combine the Northern traverse and Long Range traverse. Access the Long Range plateau by Snug Harbour and then follow the routes east and south towards Gros Morne Mountain.

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Who Should Hike in the Long Range Mountains?

Hiking in the Long Range Mountains should only be attempted by persons who are physically fit, have good wilderness navigation skills and are experienced in backcountry travel and backpacking. There are no trails on the Long Range. In places you will encounter beaten pathways from previous hikers but they are often indistinguishable from game paths. Route finding can be further complicated when low cloud and other weather conditions reduce visibility. Hikers need to be experienced at navigating unmarked routes.

If nobody in your group has the necessary navigation skills you need to learn and practice them before you arrive or have other hikers with the needed navigation skills join your group.

For more information on what to expect please review the Hiker Preparation Guide to the Long Range Mountains (PDF, 2.2 MB).