Cripple Cove Path | Biscan Cove Path | Stiles Cove Path | Father Troy’s Trail
Silver Mine Head Path | Cobbler Path | Sugarloaf Path | North Head Trail
Deadman’s Bay Path | Blackhead Path | Cape Spear Path | Motion Path | Spout Path
Father Troy’s Trail runs from Flatrock to Torbay.
Check the map for the following details:
- The trail is 8.5 km in length.
- The North trailhead is at the end of Wade’s Lane in Flatrock.
- The South trailhead is at the end of Spray Lane in Torbay.
- Don’t block local traffic when you park at either trailhead.
This trail is a fairly recent addition to the East Coast Trail; before its inclusion it was known as either the Father Troy Trail or Gallow’s Cove Trail. Whatever the name, it’s a great trail and I’ve hiked it dozens of times because I live so close to it.
The trail starts out at the base of the Beamer, a barren 1 km slab of rock that lashes out at the Atlantic. Once you’re actually on the Beamer you’ll quickly realize it’s not as barren as it appeared from a distance, yes it’s austere, but quite beautiful in its simplicity. At the end of the Beamer you’ll enjoy the great view of the waves coming in, on a blustery day those waves can easily reach 6 metres in height.
After this ‘Beamer Lookout’ the trail veers South running along the high cliffs to Church Cove where a sizeable colony of Herring Gulls can be found. For the best views of Church Cove take the newly constructed Church Cove Loop but be careful, the trail passes through a steep field of fallen rocks where a set of stepping stones has been cleverly placed to accommodate only confident hikers. After Church Cove comes Whale Cove, a great spot to see the whales in summer as they gather in the cove below the trail.
Once you’re done gawking at whales you can rejoin the old trail to Torbay, which runs along farmers fields and eventually brings you to Torbay Beach, before ending at Spray Lane.
Scenic spots on Father Troy’s Trail:
- The Beamer in Flatrock is barren but beautiful, offering a number of vertical rock faces to enthusiastic climbers.
- The Church Cove Loop is a marvellous new addition to this trail.
- The view from Whale Cove is spectacular in summer, if you dare to peek over the edge.
Wild berries you can find on Father Troy’s Trail include Marshberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Partridgeberries, Crackerberries, Creeping Snowberries, Blackberries and Chuckley Pears.
Read more about Father Troy’s Trail on this blog.
