Ferryland and Tors Cove: How to Spend 1 Day on the Irish Loop

The last day of vacation is always bittersweet. Spend your last day in Newfoundland on the Irish Loop and visit a few fairytale-like spots along the way. Travel from St. John’s and visit the Ferryland Lighthouse and have an optional picnic lunch.

After that, head to Tors Cove in search of The Cribbies as you hike on the breathtaking East Coast Trail. Keep your eyes peeled for whales or icebergs! For more fun things to do in Newfoundland, check out our epic 12 day itinerary.

Before You Venture Out

• No fees are required for the following hikes.
• There are no restrooms at any of these locations, so plan accordingly! There is a restroom at the Ferryland Lighthouse, but a fee may be required.
• If you plan on having a picnic lunch at Ferryland Lighthouse, order online before 3 pm the day before you plan to visit.

Weather and General Safety

• Be aware of the weather at all times. You might experience all four seasons in one day! Sun, rain, fog, wind, heat, cold, you name it.
• Bring plenty of snacks and lots of water. Carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you plan to hike. Get our favorite water bladder and never run out.

Animal Safety in Newfoundland

• The island of Newfoundland is home to many animal species including moose, caribou, black bear, lynx, and fox. Furthermore, many species of birds and fish reside here.
  • It is very rare that you would encounter a predator animal anywhere in Newfoundland, but you will encounter flies!
    • Newfoundland is a pristine natural location and is thus home to the famous black fly. If you know, you know. Black flies are active from spring through summer.
    • Mosquitos might also chase you down as well.
      • Keep DEET bug spray handy, and a head net will become your best friend if you get swarmed.

Ferryland Lighthouse

Ferryland Lighthouse is located a little over 1 hour south of St. John’s on the Irish Loop. The Irish Loop is a 200-mile route traveling around the Avalon Peninsula. It got its name from the large number of Irish immigrants who colonized the area. Today you will only visit a small portion.

The first stop on the tour is the Ferryland Lighthouse. As noted above, you can visit and have a picnic here. If you’d like to do so, place your order here. Orders must be placed by 3 pm the day before you plan to visit.

Once you arrive in Ferryland, head past the Avalon Colony and follow the road toward the water. The road here will eventually become a one-lane road with pull-offs, so look out for cars coming in the other direction.

Once you reach the parking area, begin your walk toward the lighthouse along the gravel road. If you opted for the picnic, when you arrive at the lighthouse, check in with the team to get your lunch.

If you choose not to have a picnic, explore the beautiful green bluffs near the lighthouse and search for whales at sea while you hike around. We were super lucky and got to see multiple whales as we explored!

This truly is a magical place with breathtaking scenery. Once you are finished exploring, hike back to the parking lot and begin your journey north to Tors Cove.

Tors Cove

Now, get ready for a hike along the picturesque East Coast Trail. The portion of the trail you are looking for is called Tinker’s Point Path. The entire path is about 6.2 miles long if you choose to hike the entire trail out and back.

Starting in Tors Cove, park at the site of an old church. Use the following coordinates for this location. Directly across the street is where the trail begins.

First, hike along the emerald green bluffs of Tors Cove with excellent views of Fox Island, which is part of the Witless Bay Islands Park Reserve. This is, in our opinion, one of the most picturesque spots we saw in Newfoundland!

Continue hiking, and you will eventually reach The Cribbies. Two old homes reside on the site of a former 17th-century settlement. As we came around the corner, here we were totally surprised at what we saw off in the distance at the first house. It appeared that they were filming something on location.

The trail travels past The Cribbies, so we were escorted through the set by some of the production workers. We discovered Hudson and Rex, a popular show in Newfoundland, was being filmed here!

To be honest, we were a bit bummed we could not explore more of the area around the white house, but we continued down the trail to get our fix at the red home, and it was surely magical! Imagine if the walls could talk.

Where to Stay

If you are looking to spend more time than we did exploring the Avalon Peninsula, check out the options on Expedia for a local stay. Having only taken a day trip from St. John’s, that is where we recommend staying. Here are some hotels, homes, and historic locations across the city.

• Murray Premises Hotel – best seller and top-rated! Located on the harbourfront, this old-style hotel with exposed beams and brick walls is perfect for walking downtown St. John’s. Book right here on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Alt Hotel St. John’s – panoramic views of the St. John’s harbour and a lobby cafe. Located steps from downtown and the Signal Hill hiking trails. Reserve your stay now on Expedia or Booking.com
• JAG Boutique Hotel – 60s and 70s rock memorabilia themed. Historic and scenic Water Street is just a short walk away with plenty of shops, dining, and bars. Check out the prices and compare rates on Expedia or Booking.com.
• The Elizabeth Manor Guest House – breakfast included! Located right downtown in the historic East End. Check it out on Expedia or Booking.com.

Final Reflections

In summary, our final day in Newfoundland was as spectacular as ever. Lighthouses, whales, green seaside bluffs, and quaint homes from yesteryear. These two stops were a great introduction to the Irish Loop in Newfoundland, and we wish we had planned to stay a few more days.

Oh well, that means we get to return to Newfoundland someday for more awesome adventures!