Gros Morne Mountain (James Callaghan) Trail
Gros Morne Mountain (James Callaghan) Trail
Gros Morne Mountain (James Callaghan) Trail
4.8
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.8
94 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
10
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Wendy H
Region of Waterloo, Canada4 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Gros Morne offers spectacular scenery, well maintained hikes for all levels, great local restaurants and entertainment, and the hospitality of warm, friendly, proud Newfoundlanders. We stayed in Rocky Harbour for 4 nights. This gave us time to do most of the activities we wanted to do. The weather can be unpredictable so it is good to have some buffer time so plans can be adjusted if needed due to fog or rain.
Written July 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C-GCDN
Kitchener, Canada67 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
The family thoroughly enjoyed their experience on the mountain. We are weekend warriors with two daughters 14 and 11. There was nothing on this hike that a kid who spends 8 to 12 hours per week being active cannot handle. As you read elsewhere proper footwear is a must. Your feet will thank you. The four of us together went through 6L of water and we felt we could of used 1 more on a day where it was 21C. Nothing hard about the ascent other than the vertical. We thought we were free and clear when we came down along the back side of the mountain but the technical portion of the hike comes after the camp sites at the gultch. There were several ankle killers, awkward stone placements, and hidden roots to trip you up. For the untested this will be a challenge as it is late in the hike and fatigue is starting to be felt. Once back to the platform at the base of the mountain we let gravity due most of the work and lightly jogged back to the car allowing us to finish in 5.5 hours with plenty of time spent walking around the top and stopping for lunch 1/2 way up the scree ascent. Do this hike if you can as the views are the some of the best I’ve seen outside the Rockies and the Alps.
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy S.
Queens, NY20 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
This hike is not for beginners! I'm in excellent shape and this hike pushed me to my absolute limits. It took us 10 hours round trip from the parking lot to complete this hike; other members of my group had to take more frequent breaks, but I still want you to have a realistic idea of how long this could take. It took about 90 minutes just to get from the parking lot to the base of the mountain. Going up is quite rocky, and the stones can shift under your feet - we saw a couple of people give up and turn back. Going down was more difficult, especially because it started raining and the rocks were slippery.
Make sure you have the recommended 2L water per person, legit footwear, Gatorade, and protein bars. Also, bug spray and sunscreen as you are quite exposed up there. Two people in my group had hiking poles and I think that was a good idea. I decided not to take them because I'd never used them before and didn't think this terrain was the best place to experiment, but they were imperative for the people in my group with older knees!
I don't say any of this to discourage you! It was totally worth it and the views brought a tear to my eye. But be prepared for this challenge!
Make sure you have the recommended 2L water per person, legit footwear, Gatorade, and protein bars. Also, bug spray and sunscreen as you are quite exposed up there. Two people in my group had hiking poles and I think that was a good idea. I decided not to take them because I'd never used them before and didn't think this terrain was the best place to experiment, but they were imperative for the people in my group with older knees!
I don't say any of this to discourage you! It was totally worth it and the views brought a tear to my eye. But be prepared for this challenge!
Written July 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather S
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Canada1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Couples
Gros Morne national park is beautiful. It is one of the most spectacular places I have been in all of Canada. I love to hike big Mountains and have hiked many in Canada as well as over seas, this Mountain got the best of me. I did tons of research before and have hiked difficult level mountains in the past, but this mountain was a beast. I don't feel that most reviews and information is 100% honest with regards to the difficulty and the danger involved in hiking this mountain.
To begin most reviews state that the first 4 km of the trail is relatively flat, this is not true after about 200 meters into the hike you begin a slow decent up hill, so for those that would like to get to the bottom of the mountain just to take in it's beauty up close it is not an easy trail walk.
There was a sign at the bottom of the mountain before you begin the hike up to the summit that states to have 2 liters of water per person before you begin the climb up the mountain. We did not have that much water as we had already drank some, we did have a pure life water filter which was a life saver, there were quite a few streams on the way down to get water from. Between the two of us we drank over 5 liters of water due to the strenuous nature of the hike. I would highly recommend bringing some sort of water filter just in case. Once at the bottom of the mountain you then begin your trek through a steep rock gully at about a 45 degree angle for what seemed like an eternity. From the bottom of the mountain it does not look very far up but don't be fooled you cannot see the summit from the bottom. After climbing the rock gully to the top there is then another hilly climb to the summit.
Once you get to the top the views are amazing, like nothing you have ever seen and picture's don't do it any justice. From the 806 meter summit you think yes its all down hill from here. The decent is mostly downhill, but it is very rock and slippery on most of the trail. Some areas it was hard to tell if we were on the right trail and we were just hoping for the best, there are no signs to mark the trails. Basically the climb down was just as dangerous as the climb up.
The hike is listed as a 17 km hike on all the websites, but by the time we completed the hike and got back to our vehicle our GPS stated that the hike was 20 km and took us 8 hrs. Overall the hike was beautiful for sure, but don't underestimate how hard and dangerous this mountain is. This is just meant to be an honest review for anyone considering the hike, we did not find the hike very enjoyable due to the nature of the trails on the mountain and would only recommend hiking it if you enjoy hiking mountains as described.
Stay safe and have fun!!!
To begin most reviews state that the first 4 km of the trail is relatively flat, this is not true after about 200 meters into the hike you begin a slow decent up hill, so for those that would like to get to the bottom of the mountain just to take in it's beauty up close it is not an easy trail walk.
There was a sign at the bottom of the mountain before you begin the hike up to the summit that states to have 2 liters of water per person before you begin the climb up the mountain. We did not have that much water as we had already drank some, we did have a pure life water filter which was a life saver, there were quite a few streams on the way down to get water from. Between the two of us we drank over 5 liters of water due to the strenuous nature of the hike. I would highly recommend bringing some sort of water filter just in case. Once at the bottom of the mountain you then begin your trek through a steep rock gully at about a 45 degree angle for what seemed like an eternity. From the bottom of the mountain it does not look very far up but don't be fooled you cannot see the summit from the bottom. After climbing the rock gully to the top there is then another hilly climb to the summit.
Once you get to the top the views are amazing, like nothing you have ever seen and picture's don't do it any justice. From the 806 meter summit you think yes its all down hill from here. The decent is mostly downhill, but it is very rock and slippery on most of the trail. Some areas it was hard to tell if we were on the right trail and we were just hoping for the best, there are no signs to mark the trails. Basically the climb down was just as dangerous as the climb up.
The hike is listed as a 17 km hike on all the websites, but by the time we completed the hike and got back to our vehicle our GPS stated that the hike was 20 km and took us 8 hrs. Overall the hike was beautiful for sure, but don't underestimate how hard and dangerous this mountain is. This is just meant to be an honest review for anyone considering the hike, we did not find the hike very enjoyable due to the nature of the trails on the mountain and would only recommend hiking it if you enjoy hiking mountains as described.
Stay safe and have fun!!!
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pdotnndd
Ontario85 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We are both 50yrs old and in ok shape. All the reviews are correct in saying that this is not easy. But it is achievable. Just be prepared. We each carried 3L of water and had just enough. It was suppose to be sunny all day but in the mountains you never know and it did rain. We took our time and stopped ALOT especially going up the gully which that part alone took us 2 hours to get to the top. The views are incredible and totally worth it. I enjoyed the way down even more but just be prepared that it takes a long time to get back down to the base and then you still have another 4kms. Total time took us older folks 8 hours. Once in a lifetime.
Written September 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John A Carter
Lower Sackville, Canada5,673 contributions
Sept 2022 • Solo
This hike is a once in a life time hike. 800m elevation change. This hike is hard and you need to be in good shape to do it safely. The first 4/1/2 km us the approach trail. An gentle climb of 300m over a good trail. The next 500m is straight up the side of a mountain over steep loose rock. This is the hard part. Once on the top the mountain is very flat and windy, watch your hat if not tied on. From here the views are unreal, you are above the tree line and walk around to the back of the mountain . From here you have a more manageable descent to the approach trail. I had 2.5L of water with me and could of used more. bring a back pack with general supplies for the day . Good footwear, gloves , hiking poles. Over all it takes most people 9 to 11 hours depending on fitness and breaks. There is a outhouse at the end and beginning of the approach trail ( bring TP). A must do for fit hikers.
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C Sulliman
Fall River, Canada10 contributions
Jul 2023
This hike has been on my "to do" list for sometime. As an avid day hiker, I have done many difficult hikes in the past. NOTHING hold a candle to this one. The climb to the top is rewarding and even with the fog and lack of wide panoramic views that we hoped for, it was worth it. We saw lots of wildlife, including a moose on the trail. For those who have done this hike more than once - kudos! It is a knee pounder coming down.
Written July 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beverlee S
Toronto, Canada60 contributions
Aug 2021
No No No No No
Are all these great reviews a case of The Emperor's New Clothes?
This is a terrible hike. It's more of an endurance test, and at places there is no trail at all, other than the tears of those who tried before you. Up is terrible and down is worse. Rocks, loose gravel, no shade, endless black flies...
Go somewhere else. Seriously. There are some fabulous hikes in Gros Morne Park. This is not one of them.
Are all these great reviews a case of The Emperor's New Clothes?
This is a terrible hike. It's more of an endurance test, and at places there is no trail at all, other than the tears of those who tried before you. Up is terrible and down is worse. Rocks, loose gravel, no shade, endless black flies...
Go somewhere else. Seriously. There are some fabulous hikes in Gros Morne Park. This is not one of them.
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt R
Ontario, Canada33 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
We decided to climb the mountain. It was a great experience but not for the amateur hiker. We considered ourselves able and willing to do the hike up and around and we did complete the journey but now we have been sore for days…! Its not an easy walk up or down. Lots of loose rock and sharp footing. Take your time and have lots of snacks and water and you will trudge thru it. Good luck.
Written September 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MerwenPendragon
St. John's, Canada47 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
We hiked Gros Morne Mountain in September when it was nice and cool. The hike is rated "strenuous", which is an understatement if you aren't used to hiking. I go to the gym regularly and consider myself in decent shape, but this nearly killed me haha. Endurance and cardio are definitely needed for this hike. It's a 1.5 hr hike to the base of the mountain and it is mostly uphill. Once you get to the base of the mountain, it's about a 2 hr hike/climb up a talus slope to the top of the mountain. Once you actually get to the top of the mountain, it's a short hike along a marked path to the actual summit, then you continue down and around the back and side of the mountain to return to the foot of the talus slope, which takes about 3.5 hrs. The hike back out is, of course, another 1.5 hrs. Depending on your level of fitness, the hike takes anywhere from 6-8 hrs. My boyfriend is used to long-distance hiking, but I am not so I ended up slowing him down haha. It took us about 8.5 hrs to complete the traverse, and the pain and week of muscle stiffness that followed was totally, totally worth it. The views are just absolutely stunning; I couldn't take enough photos! I am now able to cross this off my bucket list :)
Take a lunch and lots of high-protein snacks, as well as a lot of water with you. Don't try this hike if it isn't a clear day. The path is very well marked, but safety should be your top priority. One part of the trail across the top of the mountain comes very close to cliffs and it would not be difficult to accidentally wander off the path if you aren't paying attention. There's also wildlife up there sometimes (we saw a bear off in the distance at one point). Dress appropriately and take a sweater and windbreaker with you. A walking stick definitely helped me, and people often leave some at the start of the trail. There's the equivalent of an outhouse in the parking lot, and another one at the base of the mountain, so if you have issues with going in the woods, you should take advantage of them.
If you ignore all my other suggestions, please do yourself a HUGE favour, and wear good quality hiking shoes with ankle support. I wore my old hikers which are comfortable for light hikes, but almost killed me towards the end of the traverse. Do NOT wear hiking boots that are new/not broken in; you won't make it off the mountain.
Last of all, while it's free to do the hike, you need a park pass to do any activities within Gros Morne. Don't forget to leave this in the window of your vehicle when you go to do this hike.
Take a lunch and lots of high-protein snacks, as well as a lot of water with you. Don't try this hike if it isn't a clear day. The path is very well marked, but safety should be your top priority. One part of the trail across the top of the mountain comes very close to cliffs and it would not be difficult to accidentally wander off the path if you aren't paying attention. There's also wildlife up there sometimes (we saw a bear off in the distance at one point). Dress appropriately and take a sweater and windbreaker with you. A walking stick definitely helped me, and people often leave some at the start of the trail. There's the equivalent of an outhouse in the parking lot, and another one at the base of the mountain, so if you have issues with going in the woods, you should take advantage of them.
If you ignore all my other suggestions, please do yourself a HUGE favour, and wear good quality hiking shoes with ankle support. I wore my old hikers which are comfortable for light hikes, but almost killed me towards the end of the traverse. Do NOT wear hiking boots that are new/not broken in; you won't make it off the mountain.
Last of all, while it's free to do the hike, you need a park pass to do any activities within Gros Morne. Don't forget to leave this in the window of your vehicle when you go to do this hike.
Written September 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
i have been reading about this hike and the best views were on the descent. also read that the descent is different from the ascent. does anyone have any info on climbing the back end of the trail to the best views area and then back the same route, skipping the rocky ascent? just curious. thanks
Written August 23, 2023
Lenlenny
Toronto, Canada
Options for footwear, if I just do the 4km walk to base?, but if I continue on, would the 4km style be enough?, suggestions?, light but durable, and comfortable.
Thanks
Written July 3, 2016
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