Discover Newfoundland’s beautiful west coast from one of its most populated cities, which features mountain trails, ski resorts and a totem pole of Newfoundland history.
The port town of Corner Brook on the Bay of Islands is western Newfoundland’s largest city. Explore its heritage, then venture out into the mountains behind it and the picturesque bay region around it.
Start out your visit by climbing up to Crow Hill, where you will find an observation deck with views over the city, the bay and the rolling hills beyond. Read the displays on the banisters to learn about James Cook, who was the first to survey the area around Corner Brook.
Learn more regional history at the Corner Brook Museum, which features exhibits on every aspect of the city’s history, including its indigenous peoples, its establishment and its thriving logging industry. A more unique exhibition of area lore is the Heritage Tree, a 52-foot-tall (16-meter) tree carved with scenes from Newfoundland’s history.
Explore the natural landscape around Corner Brook via the Corner Brook Stream Trail. This follows the Corner Brook Stream through the city and up into the mountains behind it. Climb up to the peak of Three Bear Mountain, or take the more difficult hike to Corner Brook Gorge, where you can look out over the cliffs from an elevated boardwalk.
See the mouth of the Bay of Islands by driving an hour to the northwest into Blow Me Down Provincial Park, which covers a small peninsula jutting out into the bay. Take a 30-minute hike from the beach to an elevated observation tower. From here, you can look out over the islands of the bay and the mountains surrounding Lark Harbour.
Snow skiing is very popular in Corner Brook due to the proximity of two large resorts. Head to the Marble Mountain Ski Resort or the Blomidon Mountains to find some well groomed slopes.
Arrive in Corner Brook via the Trans Canada Highway. An international airport is located in Stephenville, 51 miles (83 kilometers) east of Corner Brook. Once in the city, you can spend lots of your time on foot exploring the many interconnected trails through the countryside.
