Wilderness hiking

The Long Range Mountains provides hikers with some of the most scenic and challenging hiking terrain in eastern North America. Hiking in the Long Range Mountains is 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 suggested 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 available here! 

UPDATE ON 2024 RESERVATIONS: Beginning February 26 2024, reservations for the Long Range Traverse and Northern Traverse can be made Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. (NST) by calling 1-709-458-2417.

Recommended Routes

Within Gros Morne National Park, there are six recommended 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.

Please review the Long Range & Northern Traverse Backcountry Hiking Map (PDF, 6.9 MB) for Gros Morne to identify the sections of interest to you. 

For details on permits and fees associated with backcountry hiking and camping please review the Hiker Preparation Guide to the Long Range Mountains (PDF 922 KB)

1) Western Brook Pond Gorge (7-8 hours) 

Western Brook Pond Gorge, NL Tourism

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

2) Snug Harbour to North Rim (1-2 nights, 24 km)

North Rim, S. Stone

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.

Snug Harbour to North Rim Route Description (PDF, 204 KB)

3) Ferry Gulch to Bakeapple Pond (1-2 nights, 20 km)

Étang Ten Mile, G.Paquette-Jetten

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.

Ferry Gulch to Bakeapple Pond Route Description (PDF 182 KB)

4) Northern Traverse (3 nights, 27 km) 

Northern Traverse, G. Paquette-Jetten

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.

Northern Traverse Route Description (PDF 246 KB)

5) Long Range Traverse (3-4 nights, 35 km) 

Long Range Traverse, S. Stone

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.

Long Range Traverse Route Description (PDF 205 KB)

Hiker Preparation Guide to the Long Range Mountains (PDF 922 KB)

6) Combined Northern and Long Range Traverse (5-7 nights, 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.

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. 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. Route finding can be further complicated when low cloud and other weather conditions reduce visibility. For more information on what to expect please review the Hiker Preparation Guide to the Long Range Mountains.