Autumn in Woody Point - Gros Morne National Park

by Keith and Heather Nicol

     On Saturday, September 28 we headed for Woody Point to continue our quest to hike the trails that exist in some of the communities in Gros Morne National Park. In previous blogs we have discussed the community trails in Norris Point and Rocky Harbour and for this weekend we set our sites on some communities on the south side of the park. And the weather couldn’t have been better- sunny and warm. Darlene Thomas at the Seaside Suites was very helpful in telling us about some of the trails in Woody Point and we took her advice and picked up a copy of the local Woody Point map when we checked in. Our first trail started at the Parks Canada Discovery Centre and we opted for the beach route trail which took us back to Woody Point. This trail winds downhill through the forest and then follows the road for a short distance before heading along the shore to Water Street in Woody Point. Our GPS indicated that the distance from the Discovery Centre to the Seaside Suites was about 2 km. This trail also has a branch at cemetery road called the Church Marsh trail and it provides another route back to Woody Point. This 1.6 km trail ends at the ball field and then you can follow the community streets to your destination in town. 

The Beach Trail winds along scenic Bonne Bay

At the suggestion of Darlene we also did the short trail that starts at the scenic lighthouse in Woody Point and leads along the beach to Fisherman’s Road where there was lots of fishing action going on. Boats were unloading mackerel and fork lifts were roaring around moving fish crates from the loading zones to waiting trucks. This trail is about 700 meters (1 way) to the wharf. 

The Woody Point Lighthouse is very picturesque

     For supper we were lucky to get into the popular Loft Restaurant (http://www.theoldloft.com/) since it was fully booked. We having been hearing great reports about this restaurant and we were not disappointed. We were joined by our friends from Corner Brook, Martin and Molly Ware and we all ordered various fish dishes. The fisherman’s platter seems to be one of their most requested dishes and the shrimp, scallops and cod were delicious. Other people in our group also enjoyed the fresh halibut, shrimp and surf and turf. If you are in Woody Point, be sure to check out the Loft next year since they are now closed for the season. 

The Loft serves up delicious home cooked meals

 

 

      After supper we headed back to our luxurious accommodations. We stayed in one of the very spacious Wharfside Suites which come fully equipped with a deluxe kitchenette,  a large soaker tub and walk in shower, fireplace, and deck overlooking Bonne Bay.  See www.seasidesuites.ca for more information.  Autumn in Woody Point has much to recommend it and the Discovery Centre will be open until mid October.

The luxurious Wharfside Suites are brand new this year!