Skerwink Trail

The Skerwink runs about five kilometres in a loop from Port Rexton around a headland, and it delivers a concentration of coastal features unusual for its length: sea stacks standing offshore, arches, cliffs, coves and views back to Trinity across the bight. It has appeared on international lists of notable coastal walks. Whales are often visible from the cliff sections in summer when the capelin are in, and icebergs drift past in late spring. The name comes from the skerwink, a local word for the shearwater. The trail is maintained by volunteers and has boardwalk and stairs on the steeper sections.

What you actually see

• The sea stacks - rock towers standing off the headland.
• The whales - humpbacks visible from the cliffs when capelin are inshore.
• The icebergs - drifting past in late spring in some years.
• The Trinity view - the village across the bight from the far side.

When to go

June to September for the walk in good conditions; late spring for icebergs, July for whales. Fog is frequent and can remove the views entirely. Winter is icy and unmaintained.

Honest expectations

The loop has steep sections and stairs and takes two to three hours at a reasonable pace. Cliff edges are unfenced. Fog can make the whole walk pointless.

Nearby

Trinity lies south; Bonavista is north.