Self-Launched Newfoundland Viking Trail: Corner Brook to Deer Lake
7 days · Newfoundland, Canada
On The Go Tours charges £2,195
No-markup version: ~£925 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of the classic Newfoundland Viking Trail takes you from Corner Brook all the way to Deer Lake via Gros Morne National Park, the ancient Port au Choix Peninsula, Labrador's Red Bay, and the legendary Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows — all without the guided group price tag. You'll rent a car (essential on this route), stay in budget guesthouses and B&Bs, and book boat tours and park entries directly. Newfoundland's dramatic fjords, whale-watching waters, iceberg alleys, and 1,000-year-old Norse ruins are all yours to explore at a fraction of the commercial tour cost. All costs are approximate estimates in GBP per person, based on two travellers sharing a rental car and accommodation.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Corner Brook
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
Fly into Deer Lake Regional Airport (YDF) — the closest airport to Corner Brook, about 60km away. Pick up your rental car here; a compact car for 7 days typically costs around £250–£320 total (split between two travellers). Drive into Corner Brook and check in to your guesthouse or budget B&B. Spend the afternoon exploring downtown Corner Brook — walk out to the Corner Brook Stream Trail, visit the scenic Newfoundland railway heritage displays, and grab dinner at a local pub. The city sits in a dramatic river valley surrounded by the Long Range Mountains, so it's worth a short hike above town for views before dark.
🚌Fly into Deer Lake Airport (YDF). Rent a compact car for the week (~£250–320 total, ~£35–45/day split two ways). Drive to Corner Brook.
🛏Glynmill Inn or similar budget guesthouse/B&B in Corner Brook (~£60–80/night shared double)
- →Pick up rental car at Deer Lake Regional Airport
- →Drive to Corner Brook (~60km, ~45 mins)
- →Walk the Corner Brook Stream Trail
- →Explore downtown Corner Brook and Newfoundland railway heritage
Corner Brook to Port au Choix via Gros Morne
Gros Morne National Park & Port au Choix, Newfoundland
An early start for the most scenically packed drive of the trip. Head north on Route 430 (the Viking Trail) through Gros Morne National Park. Stop at the Visitor Centre in Rocky Harbour to purchase your Parks Canada day pass (~£10/person). Drive to the Tablelands trailhead for a short self-guided walk across the ancient exposed ocean floor — geology unlike anywhere else on Earth. Continue to Western Brook Pond for the famous fjord boat tour, which you can book directly with Bontours (departures at 10am, 1pm, 4pm in season, ~£25/person). After the boat tour, push north to Port au Choix. Visit the Port au Choix National Historic Site self-guided (Parks Canada, included with your pass) to explore 5,000 years of Maritime Archaic and Dorset Palaeo-Eskimo history. Check in and grab dinner at a local diner.
🚌Drive Route 430 north from Corner Brook through Gros Morne to Port au Choix (~250km, ~3hrs driving). Parks Canada Discovery Pass: ~£55/person for an annual pass (covers all sites on this route — excellent value across the week).
🛏Sea Echo Motel or similar budget motel in Port au Choix (~£65–85/night shared double)
- →Self-guided walk at the Tablelands, Gros Morne National Park
- →Western Brook Pond fjord boat tour — book directly with Bontours (~£25/person)
- →Self-guided visit to Port au Choix National Historic Site (Parks Canada)
- →Explore Port au Choix Peninsula coastal walks
Port au Choix to L'Anse au Clair via Strait of Belle Isle Ferry
Strait of Belle Isle & L'Anse au Clair, Labrador
This is the day you cross into Labrador — a genuinely remote and thrilling experience. Drive north to St. Barbe and board the Labrador Marine ferry across the Strait of Belle Isle to Blanc-Sablon, Quebec (the terminal for L'Anse au Clair). Book the ferry in advance at tw.gov.nl.ca — the crossing takes about 1.5 hours and costs around £18–22/person plus car. From Blanc-Sablon, drive the short stretch east to L'Anse au Clair. Check into a local B&B or motel. In the afternoon, visit the Southern Labrador Interpretation Centre (free) and walk the local trails. Keep your eyes on the water — June/July is prime iceberg and whale season. Dinner at a local spot; try the local seafood chowder.
🚌Drive to St. Barbe (~120km north of Port au Choix, ~1.5hrs). Ferry: ~£18–22/person + ~£40–50 for car. Short drive from Blanc-Sablon to L'Anse au Clair (~15km).
🛏Northern Light Inn or local B&B in L'Anse au Clair/Forteau area (~£65–80/night shared double)
- →Drive to St. Barbe ferry terminal
- →Labrador Marine ferry across the Strait of Belle Isle (~1.5hrs, book in advance)
- →Visit Southern Labrador Interpretation Centre, L'Anse au Clair (free)
- →Coastal walk with iceberg and whale watching opportunities
- →Explore L'Anse au Clair village
L'Anse au Clair to St. Anthony via Red Bay
Red Bay & St. Anthony, Newfoundland
A historic day packed with UNESCO World Heritage significance. Start with Red Bay National Historic Site — the remarkably preserved 16th-century Basque whaling station is a fascinating and eerie place. Self-guided entry is included with your Parks Canada pass. Walk out to Saddle Island to see the whaling boat remains and graveyard. Then return to Blanc-Sablon, take the ferry back to St. Barbe, and drive south and then north along Route 430 to St. Anthony. Alternatively, if road conditions allow, some travellers drive the full loop via Route 510 along the Labrador coast — check conditions at 511.gov.nl.ca. Check into St. Anthony accommodation. In the evening, visit the Grenfell Historic Properties or take a walk out to the iceberg viewing platform near St. Anthony Bight.
🚌Drive Red Bay loop and return ferry to St. Barbe (~£18–22/person + car). Drive St. Barbe to St. Anthony (~180km, ~2.5hrs). Ferry return crossing included in day estimate.
🛏Fishing Point B&B or Haven Inn in St. Anthony (~£70–90/night shared double)
- →Self-guided visit to Red Bay National Historic Site (Parks Canada pass)
- →Walk Saddle Island trail to 16th-century Basque whaling station ruins
- →Return ferry crossing from Blanc-Sablon to St. Barbe
- →Drive to St. Anthony via Route 430
- →Iceberg viewing from St. Anthony Bight lookout (seasonal)
St. Anthony: L'Anse aux Meadows & Whale Watching
St. Anthony & L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
The undisputed highlight of the whole trail. Drive the short 30km to L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site — the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America, dating to around 1000 AD. Spend 2–3 hours here: entry is covered by your Parks Canada pass. Walk through the reconstructed Norse sod houses, visit the interpretation centre, and hear the story of Leif Eriksson's westward voyage. In the afternoon, return to St. Anthony for a whale-watching boat tour. Northland Discovery Boat Tours runs excellent 2-hour whale and iceberg tours from the St. Anthony harbour (~£35–45/person, book at northlanddiscovery.com or via GetYourGuide). Humpback, minke, and fin whales are regularly spotted. Return to St. Anthony for your final night before the long drive south.
🚌Short drive to L'Anse aux Meadows and back (~60km round trip). All local by car.
🛏Fishing Point B&B or Haven Inn, St. Anthony (2nd night, ~£70–90/night shared double)
- →Self-guided visit to L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site — reconstructed Viking sod houses and museum (Parks Canada pass)
- →Whale watching and iceberg boat tour with Northland Discovery Boat Tours (~£35–45/person)
- →Evening walk along St. Anthony harbour
St. Anthony to Cow Head: Back Through Gros Morne
Gros Morne National Park & Cow Head, Newfoundland
A long but spectacular driving day south along Route 430 back into Gros Morne. Stop at the Arches Provincial Park (free) on the way — striking coastal rock arches carved by the sea. Continue into Gros Morne and take the Bonne Bay boat tour with Gros Morne Adventures, a breathtaking 2-hour cruise of the fjord with bald eagle spotting and dramatic cliff scenery (~£30–40/person, book at grosmorne.com). After the tour, visit the Tablelands if you didn't stop on Day 2, or take the short Broom Point Fishing Premises walk (free, Parks Canada). Check in at Cow Head, a tiny, friendly village with a strong arts scene. The Cow Head Hostel or local B&Bs offer great budget stays. Dinner at a local restaurant — try the toutons or salt fish.
🚌Drive St. Anthony to Cow Head via Route 430 (~300km, ~3.5hrs). All self-drive.
🛏Cow Head Hostel or Shallow Bay Motel & Cabins (~£55–75/night shared double)
- →Stop at Arches Provincial Park (free)
- →Bonne Bay scenic boat tour with Gros Morne Adventures — bald eagle spotting (~£30–40/person)
- →Optional: Tablelands walk or Broom Point Fishing Premises visit (free, Parks Canada)
- →Check in and explore Cow Head village
Cow Head to Deer Lake: Final Scenic Drive
Gros Morne National Park & Deer Lake, Newfoundland
A relaxed final morning before the drive south to Deer Lake for your return flight. Take the morning to enjoy one last walk in Gros Morne — the easy Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse trail in Rocky Harbour is a beautiful farewell to the park (free, ~1 hour). Stop in Rocky Harbour for a classic Newfoundland breakfast at a local diner. Then drive Route 430 south through the park to Deer Lake (~170km, ~2hrs). Return your rental car at Deer Lake Airport and fly home. If time allows before your flight, visit the Deer Lake Depot Museum (free) or the nearby Humber River trailhead for a short riverside stroll.
🚌Drive Route 430 south from Cow Head to Deer Lake (~170km, ~2hrs). Return rental car at YDF.
🛏N/A — departure day. Budget for Deer Lake airport area if early flight requires overnight: ~£60–80.
- →Morning walk: Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse trail, Rocky Harbour (free, ~1hr)
- →Breakfast at a local Rocky Harbour diner
- →Final scenic drive through Gros Morne National Park to Deer Lake
- →Return rental car at Deer Lake Airport
Self-launched vs. On The Go Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | On The Go Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£925 | £2,195 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,270 per person (58%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more On The Go Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£925
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Newfoundland Viking Trail: Corner Brook to Deer Lake cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £925 per person for 7 days in Newfoundland, Canada. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with On The Go Tours?+
Yes — On The Go Tours charges around £2,195 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £925 — a saving of roughly £1,270 (58%) per person.
How long is the Newfoundland, Canada trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Newfoundland, Canada.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Newfoundland, Canada, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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