From the coastal charm of Newfoundland, which is one of the largest islands in the world, to the remote wilderness of Labrador speckled with few and far between communities, the variety of landscapes and terrain in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador make for great ATV and off-roading opportunities. With large trail networks and multi-day routes such as the T’Railway Route and the Trans Canadian Adventure Trail mixed with shorter half-day trails that lead to scenic destinations and unique attractions, there is something for every rider in this province.
Now that the snow is melting from higher elevation trails and long summer days are right around the corner, it is time to start planning your next Newfoundland and Labrador ATV or overlanding adventure. Below, we list ten of the most popular and unique ATV, off-road, and overlander routes in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is just a small portion of the thousands of kilometres of ATV routes, trails, and backcountry roads that can be used to reach incredible destinations throughout the province. For a complete and comprehensive list of ATV and off-road routes in Newfoundland and Labrador, be sure to check out the brand-new, 2nd Edition of the Newfoundland and Labrador Backroad Mapbook.
1. T’Railway Route
One of the top ATV destinations in the province for both visiting and local riders, the T’Railway is a decommissioned railway that stretches for 883 km (548 mi) from Port aux Basques on the west coast to St. John’s on the east coast. This route typically takes five to six days to complete, but the route mostly parallels the Trans-Canada Highway, so shorter segments can be completed. There are also several branch lines off the main route which allow riders to explore other overland and coastal routes across Newfoundland. This route encompasses urban, rural, wilderness, and coastal scenery and landscapes, providing everything that this beautiful province has to offer in one exciting, multi-day adventure.
2. Churchill Falls ATV Trails
As the locals will know, ATVs are often used more than cars or trucks to get from one place to another in Labrador. In Churchill Falls, trails run throughout the town to provide access to the community, while backcountry trails and logging roads branch out from towns deep into the remote wilderness of Labrador. A highlight is a ride to the former power station townsite at Twin Falls, where visitors will find a few remaining buildings and the entire power station and spillway to explore. To find the abandoned structures, follow a backroad south from the Trans-Labrador Highway towards Baikie Lake.
3. B-36 Peacemaker Plane Crash Trail
Located near the community of Burgoyne’s Cove, the 5 km (3 mi) Plane Crash Trail leads east to the site and remains of a B-36 Peacemaker aircraft which crashed in March of 1953 in inclement weather, tragically killing all 23 crew members. From the end of the ATV trail, a short hiking trail leads to a plaque commemorating the accident as well as many parts of the plane, which are spread out over the countryside. Please remember to treat this crash site and grave site with respect, and don’t remove anything from the site.
4. Trans Canadian Adventure Trail (TCAT)
The Trans Canadian Adventure Trail (TCAT) forms an epic cross-country overlander route that stretches from Newfoundland all the way to Vancouver Island! The TCAT in Newfoundland follows the T’Railway from Signal Hill in St. John’s Harbour for just over 600 km (375 mi) to Deer Lake, before picking up the paved Route 430 and following it for 311 km (195 mi) to the ferry crossing to Labrador at St. Barbe. In Labrador, the TCAT tracks the Trans-Labrador Highway, which is a remote highway that stretches 1,165 km (725 mi). After crossing the Strait of Bell Isle from Newfoundland, the TCAT follows Route 510 and then Route 500 before reaching the Quebec border. Plenty of side roads and ATV trails stretch out from this overlanding route, creating the opportunity for quite the adventure.
5. St. Lawrence Off-Road Trail
Not far from the comforts of the town of St. Lawrence, this popular off-road trail begins from a forest road off Highway 220 and leads north all the way to the shores of the Twin Lakes over a total distance of 32 km (20 mi). Located just west of St. Lawrence, this route gains around 170 metres (560 ft) in elevation and features several creek and river crossings as well as some technical terrain.
6. Deer Lake to Hawke’s Pond
This long-distance route covers almost 250 km (155 mi) as it makes its way from Deer Lake, which has plenty of riding and trail options, to Hawke’s Bay on the Northern Peninsula. This route features an elevation gain of almost 600 metres (1,970 ft) as it makes its way through the community of Cormack and the Sir Richard Squires Memorial Provincial Park, following the western boundaries of the Main River Waterway Provincial Park as it makes its way north. A large part of the route follows the Churchill Falls transmission line, and there are a few washed out sections and some rough terrain to navigate. This is a great overland route for both ATVs and dual sport motorcycles.
7. Labrador West ATV Trails
Labrador West is home to hundreds of kilometres of ATV routes that criss-cross through dense forest and along old roads, along with thousands of kilometres of backroads heading east past Wabush and west to Fermont in Quebec. The local snowmobile club, the White Wolf Snowmobile Club, also grooms over 800 kilometres of winter trails that are open to summer ATV riding. This remote area is a true hub for ATVing and overlanding, and there are plenty of trails and backroads just waiting to be explored.
8. Sabena DC-4 Plane Crash Site Trail
Leaving Route 360 about 15 km south of the Trans-Canada Highway at Bishop’s Falls, riders will travel just under 80 km (50 mi) one-way, with 150 metres (490 ft) of elevation gain to reach this destination, following logging roads along the south side of the Northwest Gander River. Once you cross the Northwest Gander River steel bridge and continue along the transmission line, keep an eye out for a small sign indicating the entrance to the short hike-in trail to the crash site. The Sabena Airlines Douglas DC-4 crashed enroute to Gander from Shannon Airport in Ireland in September 1946, tragically killing 27 people. Miraculously, 16 people and 1 crew member survived the crash. Please treat the crash site, and the nearby grave site, with the utmost respect.
9. Windsor Lake Trails
There are a series of old trails running around the large Windsor Lake, just west of St. John’s, that are perfect for ATVs. From the St. Thomas Line, a variety of different routes head east, most of which lead past Moriarty’s Pond and Cochrane Pond towards Windsor Lake. Offshoots lead to smaller ponds like Healeys, Powers, or Triangle Pond, while an alternative route is found 12 km southwest of St. John’s off the Trans-Canada Trail and leads westbound towards Windsor Lake. Follow this route and cross Route 40 in between Round Pond and Butlers Pond, then loop up and around Newfound Pond and back to Route 40.
10. Trepassey Line
Located on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, this 149 km (93 mi) overland route was the longest branch line built on the Island of Newfoundland, running from the city of St. John’s to the town of Trepassey. The route is split into three sections: the 48 km (30 mi) Bay Bulls segment which runs from Bay Bulls Big Pond to Cape Broyle, a 51 km (31.5 mi) section from Cape Broyle to Cappahayden, and a 50 km (31 mi) section which runs from Chance Cove to Trepassey. This branch line is slowly being reclaimed by nature, so there are some challenging stretches with tricky navigation or sketchy bridges. Be sure to bring extra supplies and navigational tools on this route.
Now that you have a taste of some of the scenic and exciting ATV and off-road opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is time to start exploring all that this province has to offer with the brand-new 2nd Edition of the Newfoundland and Labrador Backroad Mapbook, which is available in both print and digital formats. For all this information and more right at your fingertips, try out the Backroad Maps App or Web Map, which can be downloaded straight to your smartphone, tablet, or computer. And, be sure to tag us on social media at @backroadmaps or #BRMBLIFE on all your favourite Newfoundland and Labrador ATV and off-roading adventure photos!