Gros Morne's Southern Section
The road through the southern section of Gros Morne dead-ends at Trout River, and accordingly it seems to discourage convenience-minded visitors who prefer loops and through-routes. That's too bad, because the south contains some of the park's most dramatic terrain. Granted, you can glimpse the rust-colored Tablelands from north of Bonne Bay near Rocky Harbour and call it a day, thereby saving the 48km (30-mile) detour. But without actually walking through that desolate landscape, you miss much of its impact. The southern section also contains several lost-in-time fishing villages that predate the park's creation in 1973, and a new Discovery Centre with exhibits documenting the park's natural history.
The region's scenic centerpiece is Trout River Pond, a landlocked fjord some 15km (9 1/3 miles) long. You can hike along the north shore to get a great view of the Narrows, where cliffs nearly pinch the pond in two. For a more relaxed view, sign up for a boat tour, which surrounds you with breathtaking panoramic views. The Trout River Pond Boat Tour (tel. 866/751-7500 or 709/451-7500) is an excursion on the pond aboard a 40-passenger boat that runs from late May through mid-October. The 2 1/2-hour trips are offered three times daily in summer, once daily in the shoulder seasons; cost is C$35 (US$32/£18) per adult, C$18 (US$16/£9) children ages 7 to 17, and C$75 (US$68/£38) families. Tickets are sold at a gift shop between the village of Trout River and the pond; watch for signs.
Gros Morne's Northern Sections
Gros Morne's northern section flanks Route 430 for some 72km (45 miles) between Wiltondale and St. Paul's. The road winds through the abrupt, forested hills south of Rocky Harbour; beyond these, the road levels out, following a broad coastal plain covered mostly with bog and tuckamore. East of the plain rises the extraordinarily dramatic monoliths of the Long Range. This section contains the park's visitor center as well as its one must-see attraction: Western Brook Pond.
The hardscrabble fishing village of Rocky Harbour is your best bet for tourist services, including motels, B&Bs, laundromats, and such. One caveat: This area lacks a good, big grocery store or supply depot of the sort you would expect to be located near a big national park of such international significance. What you'll find instead are a few modest grocers.
