East Coast Trail
~11 days · 157 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the East Coast Trail is known for
A wild shoreline path down Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, threading sea stacks, lighthouses, abandoned outports and whale-watching headlands between Topsail and Ferryland (the full path continues to Cappahayden).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 7 ft to 741 ft over 157 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 13.1 mi · 8%
- Downhill 7.8 mi · 5%
- Flat 136.1 mi · 87%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the East Coast Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the East Coast Trail scores 65/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the East Coast Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the East Coast Trail in about 11 days (10 nights out) over its 157 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the East Coast Trail?
The East Coast Trail climbs roughly 26,772 ft total — about 170 ft per mile, topping out near 820 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.