Branching off the Trans Canada Highway at Deer Lake, Newfoundland’s Viking Trail (Highway 430) is a bucket-list scenic drive through spectacular coastal scenery before winding eastwards and ending in the small town of St Anthony.
St Anthony lies at the northern reaches of Newfoundland and is one of the province’s top tourist destinations. The area is seeped in history – archeological digs having uncovered the remains of a Norse village which was briefly inhabited more than 1000 years ago. L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site is the only authenticated Norse site in North America. Here you’ll be transported back to where Vikings once stood - where costumed interpreters bring history to life.
One of St Anthony’s most influential figures was an English doctor, Wilfred Thomason Grenfell, who was the first person to bring health care to Newfoundland and Labrador towns. His legacy is commemorated at several historic sites and museums in the town.
Offshore adventures abound with boat tours available to view whales and gigantic icebergs up close. Those with a yen for exercise can hike the Tea House Hill trail, where viewing platforms overlook the harbour, the ocean and open country beyond.
Take your time on the return trip down the Viking Trail – you’ll be driving on the seaward side, giving you plenty of opportunities to pull over and enjoy the views. The Viking Trail is truly your road to amazing memories.