Locals already know how stunning the North Head Trail is, which has likely been in use since the 1500s. The route takes you from the Battery neighborhood into St. John's Signal Hill National Historic SiteOfficially, the distance is 1.7 kilometers one way.
If you are staying downtown, you can walk to the trailhead. Otherwise, hail an Uber and get dropped off in the colorful Narrows neighborhood overlooking St. John's Harbour. The trailhead is just a short walk away.
In my opinion the North Head trail hike is one of the premier offerings Things to do in Saint John. Not only do you feel away from the city, but you can also get some exercise with a beautiful backdrop. It's a great Clear head And a break if you're attending a conference like me.
Some of you might be worried about the “Strings Section” but it's short and you'll be done with it in seconds. The rest of the hike is straightforward—although you may feel cramped and bloated as you ascend the final set of stairs to the top of Signal Hill.
Trust me, it's all worth it, especially when there are icebergs – which I saw on my previous trip to St. John's in June.
You can check out my Instagram reel The North Head hiking trail is here.
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North Head Trail in St. John's Hiking Summary
distance: Variable depending on where you start walking. It's a 3.4 km round trip trailhead near the Narrows neighborhood. We added an additional 3.4 km out and back from the Alt Hotel to the trail for a total of 6.8 km. The alternative is to walk 1.5 km down Signal Hill Road (not very interesting) to the Battery Cafe and from there return to your hotel or accommodation.
Height gain: About 165 m (541 ft).
Time needed: 1 – 2.5 hours depending on where the trip starts. You can do it in less than an hour up and down the Narrows neighborhood.
Difficulty level: Easy in my books but moderate for anyone not used to making elevation gains. Parks Canada classifies it as strenuous – difficult. The only place that's challenging for some who are afraid of heights is the short chain section or the hundreds of stairs – but only if you're not used to the height gain.
a map: Look for a map at the intersection of Signal Hill Road and Battery Road. Shows the way to the beginning of the path.
Track headers: The parking lot is at the top of Signal Hill or somewhere near the Battery Cafe.
Options from above: From the summit, take the Ladies Lookout Track to Burma Road to finally end up at Kwedi Phedi Village where you can enjoy a cold drink at Kuidi Vidi Brewery. From Quidi Vidi it is possible Hike the Sugarloaf Trail All the way to Logie Bay.
Dress for a walk: St. John's is known for being windy and foggy, so dress appropriately. I recommend stuffing a raincoat and hat in your bag.
Do not forget: Tell someone where you're going, practice the Leave No Trace Seven Principles, and Pack the Ten Principles Hiking basics.
Find the trailhead for the North Head Trail
Half the fun of hiking North Head is getting to the trail on foot.
To get started, head to the Battery District – full of colorful homes bordering St. John's Harbour. from Battery Cafe (Great place for breakfast, lunch, coffee, baked goods and rhubarb lemonade) Near the foot of Signal Hill, walk 850 meters along Battery and Upper Battery Roads to reach the trailhead.
Pass by a series of black-and-white murals and the Battery lookout point with views across St. John's Harbour.
Stroll through the lively Narrows neighborhood – and look for signs indicating the trailhead. Sometimes it may feel like you are entering someone's home. It was not. The locals are very friendly and will point you in the right direction if you need help.
Before you get to the North Head trailhead, be sure to take a look at St. John's Harbour. You can't miss St. John's Church with its prime location overlooking the colorful historic city center.
Description of height
I think the essence of the North Head Trail trek is finding the trail. Once you reach the trail, the hike is easy and straightforward on a mixture of rock and wooden stairs.
One of the first sights of the trip is a deep cleft in the rocks. I looked into the blackness and startled two pigeons. Look for seabirds too.
Continue along the bed of a rock overlooking The Narrows. And on the other side of the harbor, look for the Fort Amherst Lighthouse – a lighthouse you'll pass if you walk along the Deadman's Bay section of the East Coast Trail.
Keep moving, gradually climbing up the rock face. In season and with a little luck you may see whales and/or icebergs. It's a great place to sit and enjoy the view – provided there's room, of course.
Take a break when you reach two red chairs with a view of the Sugarloaf Trail. Then there's a bit of up and down before the final stretch – with a steep set of stairs up Signal Hill that will take you straight to the top. Enjoy the view before retracing your steps or heading down Signal Hill Road.
Pictures of North Cape Road
I think the following photos of the North Head trail will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. I certainly wasn't hiking in the rain or fog, so visibility was good. Be very vigilant about staying on the road in heavy fog.
Where to stay in Saint John?
Loved our stayEverything is a hotel. It feels fresh and lively – with a co-working space, outdoor seating with a view, and an on-site café and restaurant.
We also stayed atBlue on the waterWhich has a great location close to a lot of restaurants on Water Street. Our room was modern with lots of space.
theGG Boutique HotelIt is another great rated option.
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