Well, I finally made it onto the Bell Island ferry today, so I enjoyed myself on the unique trails at the northern tip near the Bell Island lighthouse. The sky was blue, the sun was bright, here are some photos:
The lighthouse – Bell Island
Sheer cliffs – Bell Island
Long Harry Point – Bell Island
Cliffs near the lighthouse – Bell Island
As the temperature rose I was able to enjoy most of the day without a jacket when I arrived at the beach near Number 2 Cove. The number 2 refers to one of the mines I suppose, this island used to be the centre of Newfoundland with its major iron ore mining industry. Near Number 2 there’s a nice place called the Grebe’s Nest, it’s a secluded beach which can only be reached by kayak or by walking through a dark mining tunnel:
Grebe’s Nest tunnel – Bell Island
Here’s the tunnel now, as you can see it resembles a gaping mouth ready to snap shut with its icicle-lined jaws. Had the tunnel been at beach level I would have entered it, but the short slope to the entrance was coated with a thick layer of ice from the cliffs above so I figured I would come back another time. Here’s the view from the tunnel’s mouth, looking the other way:
Iron ore beach at Shoe Rock – Bell Island
After this I hurried back to the ferry, there was a long line of cars there because one of the ferries is out of order. The line was so long I missed one launch and had to get on the next one.
be patient when visiting Bell Island
Full load – Bell Island Ferry
Back to Portugal Cove – Bell Island Ferry
newfoundsander 
I have looked at many photos of Bell Island and often wondered how dangerous are the cliffs around the island. From a distance, it almost appears that people might walk off the edge. I know there are communities living there and my thought is, are there dangers lurking?
Hi Bess, from just the few places I have seen the cliffs of Bell Island don’t seem any more or less dangerous than other cliffs along the East Coast Trail. Some cliffs do look like they can crumble at any given moment, and those are the spots you have to be careful for obvious reasons. But, on many places I have hiked on the main Island of Newfoundland the cliffs are no different. The few communities on Bell Island are similar to small towns here, Lance Cove for example reminded me of Tor’s Cove. You can also have a look at the video I posted, you can see the cliffs very well in that short movie.
Sorry Newfoundsander, I could not open your response, via WordPress. Bess