Great Northern Peninsula

The Viking Peninsula or Great Northern Peninsula is a large rural area in western Newfoundland. Located north of Gros Morne National Park, it extends to St. Anthony (population 2400) as the northernmost town on the island of Newfoundland. L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, a former Viking settlement at the northern tip of the peninsula, is one of the world's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Understand
The Northern Peninsula is sparsely populated (about 25,000 people along 300 km of western coastline); weather conditions can be harsh, especially in winter, due to rugged terrain and direct exposure to westerly prevailing winds across the open Gulf of St. Lawrence. The population is declining. There are few tiny fishing villages and many wide open spaces.

Pack ice jams the Strait of Belle Isle in spring and early summer as icebergs further north break up during the spring thaw and are carried by ocean currents. One may encounter summer conditions ashore and winter conditions on the ice-filled water, or even be unable to get out of the harbour due to ice jams. Polar bears occasionally arrive on the Northern Peninsula from Labrador on the ice; animals or their tracks should be reported to Pistolet Bay Provincial Park staff so bears may be live-trapped and returned to Labrador.

Visitor information

 * vikingtrail.org

By car

 * From the Trans-Canada Highway, exit at Deer Lake and follow Highway 430 northward through Gros Morne.

By boat

 * Operates a vehicle and passenger ferry enabling travel between Newfoundland and Labrador. During most of the year this ferry operates between St Barbe and  Blanc-Sablon, Quebec with a crossing time of 1.75 hours and operating 1-3 sailings daily.   For portions of the winter, the ferry instead travels between Corner Brook and Blanc-Sablon with a crossing time of 12 hours.

By bus
From Labrador, board the ferry at Blanc-Sablon. The crossing to St. Barbe is 1¾ hrs, weather permitting, $25 for car and driver.

Get around
The only major local road is the Viking Trail, Newfoundland Highway 430, which follows the western coastline. Driving is the most accessible way to explore the area. Roads off the main highway may not be paved with poor conditions (e.g. large potholes) due to the weather. A 4WD vehicle and/or SUV is recommended if planning on driving much off the main roads. Caution and experience driving in winter weather is also recommended if planning on visiting during the non-summer season as the area is known for treacherous weather conditions.

Go next

 * Gros Morne National Park
 * Labrador