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Long Range Traverse

Canada🇨🇦 | hikesLong Range TraverseUnmarked route, caribou plateau, Ten Mile Pond, fjord overlook | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Long Range Traverse
🌟 Highlighthike ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026

The big decision on the Long Range Traverse is whether to go with a guide-free, self-navigated trip or to skip it for an easier trail, and it tips on how comfortable you are with no marked path at all. The route lies in Gros Morne National Park, on the west coast of Newfoundland in Canada. There are no blazes, no bridges and no signs. You read the land, wade the streams and steer by ponds and cairns, and what you get is a plateau of caribou moss, glacier-carved fjord ponds and nights with nobody else in sight. Boggy ground soaks boots by lunch and fog can erase the horizon. I still connect the place with the dry, papery rattle of ptarmigan wings lifting out of the heath beside my feet. Public transport to the trailhead is thin, so line up a shuttle or a ride at the Visitor Centre, and register with Parks Canada before you set out.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Canada Travel Guide.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 3 to 4 days
Distance: 35 kilometers
Total ascent: 1100 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 hike in CanadaThe unique appeal for travelers

Long Range Traverse draws backpackers because it is real wilderness, with no trail to follow and a hiker quota that keeps the plateau quiet. Most weeks you share the high country with a handful of parties, so the camping is yours: tent pads beside tarns, a skyline that runs on for kilometers and a sense of being properly out there. The scenery arrives fast. Within a day you are on the open Long Range Mountains plateau, with ridges dropping to Ferry Gulch and the cliffs above Ten Mile Pond. The distance is also manageable. Most groups finish in 3 to 4 days, which fits a longer Newfoundland trip built around the west coast, the Tablelands and Western Brook Pond. It rewards map-and-compass skills and teaches them fast. Costs stay modest: a park permit, a shuttle and your food. If you want a challenge … read more 👉
Long Range Traverse draws backpackers because it is real wilderness, with no trail to follow and a hiker quota that keeps the plateau quiet. Most weeks you share the high country with a handful of parties, so the camping is yours: tent pads beside tarns, a skyline that runs on for kilometers and a sense of being properly out there. The scenery arrives fast. Within a day you are on the open Long Range Mountains plateau, with ridges dropping to Ferry Gulch and the cliffs above Ten Mile Pond. The distance is also manageable. Most groups finish in 3 to 4 days, which fits a longer Newfoundland trip built around the west coast, the Tablelands and Western Brook Pond. It rewards map-and-compass skills and teaches them fast. Costs stay modest: a park permit, a shuttle and your food. If you want a challenge that feels like true backcountry without a multi-week commitment, this is the one.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Long Range Traverse

  1. Ferry Gulch: A deep, steep-sided gorge where the route drops off the plateau near Gros Morne Mountain. The views down the cut are dramatic, and the descent is where careful route-finding pays off.
  2. Long Range Mountains plateau: The wide, open tundra-like top, covered in moss, lichen and dwarf shrubs. It feels huge, and on a clear day you can see for kilometers in every direction.
  3. Ten Mile Pond: A long, deep pond fringed with cliffs, seen from the plateau near the end of the route.
  4. Western Brook Pond overlook: A high viewpoint over the landlocked fjord, with sheer walls dropping into dark water. Seeing it from above gives a very different view than the tour boats get.
  5. Caribou and ptarmigan habitat: The heath and barrens hold woodland caribou, rock ptarmigan and the occasional moose near the lower
… read more 👉
  1. Ferry Gulch: A deep, steep-sided gorge where the route drops off the plateau near Gros Morne Mountain. The views down the cut are dramatic, and the descent is where careful route-finding pays off.
  2. Long Range Mountains plateau: The wide, open tundra-like top, covered in moss, lichen and dwarf shrubs. It feels huge, and on a clear day you can see for kilometers in every direction.
  3. Ten Mile Pond: A long, deep pond fringed with cliffs, seen from the plateau near the end of the route.
  4. Western Brook Pond overlook: A high viewpoint over the landlocked fjord, with sheer walls dropping into dark water. Seeing it from above gives a very different view than the tour boats get.
  5. Caribou and ptarmigan habitat: The heath and barrens hold woodland caribou, rock ptarmigan and the occasional moose near the lower edges. Sightings are never guaranteed, which makes them special.
Long Range Traverse is best experienced first at the plateau, where the openness and the sense of scale define the whole hike.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Long Range Traverse

Tablelands Bonne Bay Catamaran Tour

Tablelands Bonne Bay Catamaran Tour

4.4(13) 2h
From €62
per personViator
Bonne Bay Evening Cruise

Bonne Bay Evening Cruise

5.0(1) 2h
From €62
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Peak Summer (July to mid-August): Long Range Traverse is at its most dependable now, with daytime highs of 15 to 22°C (59 to 72°F), nights near 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F) and light until well into the evening. Bugs are thick, and the Gros Morne trailhead parking and the Western Brook Pond boat tour book up.
  • Early Fall (late August to September): Highs run 10 to 17°C (50 to 63°F), blackflies and mosquitoes fade, and the barrens turn rust and gold. Rain and fog roll in more often, and days shorten noticeably.
  • Late Spring (June): Snow patches linger on the plateau and ponds stay cold, with highs of 8 to 15°C (46 to 59°F). Crowds are thin and the black flies are fierce.
  • Winter (November to April): Temperatures of -15 to 0°C (5 to 32°F), deep snow and whiteout winds make this a ski-mountaineering matter
… read more 👉
  • Peak Summer (July to mid-August): Long Range Traverse is at its most dependable now, with daytime highs of 15 to 22°C (59 to 72°F), nights near 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F) and light until well into the evening. Bugs are thick, and the Gros Morne trailhead parking and the Western Brook Pond boat tour book up.
  • Early Fall (late August to September): Highs run 10 to 17°C (50 to 63°F), blackflies and mosquitoes fade, and the barrens turn rust and gold. Rain and fog roll in more often, and days shorten noticeably.
  • Late Spring (June): Snow patches linger on the plateau and ponds stay cold, with highs of 8 to 15°C (46 to 59°F). Crowds are thin and the black flies are fierce.
  • Winter (November to April): Temperatures of -15 to 0°C (5 to 32°F), deep snow and whiteout winds make this a ski-mountaineering matter only, with no marked trail.
Book the Western Brook Pond boat and your Parks Canada backcountry permit as early as spring for July and August dates, and aim for the first two weeks of September for the best mix of space and settled weather.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
Canada - the Long Range Traverse

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Canada

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

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🥾 Hike detailsTrail overview: what to expect on the hike

Total Distance: Long Range Traverse covers roughly 35 kilometers, depending on the route you choose.
Duration: Most hikers take 3 to 4 days, with an extra day as a weather buffer.
Difficulty: Demanding. There is no marked trail, so navigation, river crossings and wet ground all slow you down.
Starting Point: The trek begins at the far east end of Western Brook Pond, reached by boat, and finishes at the Gros Morne Mountain trailhead on Highway 430. Public transport is limited, so most hikers arrange a shuttle or taxi from Rocky Harbour or the Visitor Centre.
Major Landmarks:
  • Ferry Gulch: A steep gorge
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Long Range Traverse covers roughly 35 kilometers, depending on the route you choose.
Duration: Most hikers take 3 to 4 days, with an extra day as a weather buffer.
Difficulty: Demanding. There is no marked trail, so navigation, river crossings and wet ground all slow you down.
Starting Point: The trek begins at the far east end of Western Brook Pond, reached by boat, and finishes at the Gros Morne Mountain trailhead on Highway 430. Public transport is limited, so most hikers arrange a shuttle or taxi from Rocky Harbour or the Visitor Centre.
Major Landmarks:
  • Ferry Gulch: A steep gorge with a tricky descent.
  • Ten Mile Pond: A cliff-walled pond seen from above near the end.
  • Western Brook Pond overlook: The first big viewpoint, above the gorge.
Terrain and Scenery: Open plateau, boulder fields, streams, boggy patches and cliff edges. Expect wide horizons and sudden drops.
Vegetation: Tundra-like heath, moss, lichen and dwarf shrubs on top, with stunted spruce and fir in the lower sheltered areas.
Wildlife: Woodland caribou, rock ptarmigan, snowshoe hare and moose. Black bears live in the park, so store food properly.
Permits: Registration with Parks Canada is required, and hikers must carry a map, compass and a GPS or similar backup.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Long Range Traverse

Long Range Traverse is a route, not a trail, so navigation is the main hazard. The plateau is open barren with a few cairns, and fog can erase visibility within minutes, so carry a GPS or phone with offline maps, a compass and the paper topo, and know how to use them. Weather swings fast, with wind, rain and temperatures near freezing possible even in July, so pack a proper shell, warm layers and a tent that handles gusts. Footing is boggy, rocky and steep on the descents to the gorge, and creek crossings can rise after rain, so wait rather than force it. Moose are common and black bears are around too, so keep food sealed away and keep your distance. Parks Canada requires registration and an orientation, and first-timers should treat the trip as a serious backcountry route and tell someone their plan.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Most hikers take 3 to 4 days to complete Long Range Traverse, covering roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) between the far end of Western Brook Pond, reached by boat, and the Gros Morne Mountain trailhead on Highway 430. The boat ride across Western Brook Pond takes about 45 minutes each way. Add a spare day for fog or storms, since the route has no formal trail.
Long Range Traverse is a difficult, expert-level backcountry route because it has no marked trail and crosses open barrens with steep drops, boggy ground and stream crossings. You will need to navigate by map, compass or GPS across about 35 kilometers (22 miles) of rough terrain with a full pack. Fog and wind can slow progress, so it suits experienced hikers comfortable with self-sufficient camping.
Long Range Traverse requires a Parks Canada backcountry permit and a mandatory orientation before you set out, as it lies within Gros Morne National Park. Overnight fees run about US$11 to 14 per person per night, plus park entry, and the Western Brook Pond boat costs roughly US$45 to 55. A guide is not required, though experienced hikers only should go unguided, and guided trips by local outfitters are available.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Long Range Traverse trips go wrong when people trust a GPS track and skip proper map skills, then stall in fog. I would learn compass work first, pack a spare day of food and wait out bad weather on the plateau rather than push through it.

✈️ When did I visit Canada?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Canada in 2016.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Canada, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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