Gros Morne National Park

Gros Morne National Park is a protected area on the west coast of Newfoundland island in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The landscape includes forested hills, flat coastal plains with bogs, freshwater lakes, and steep rock walls rising above narrow saltwater inlets.

The Canadian government established the park in 1973 to protect geological formations and ecosystems. UNESCO recognized the area as a World Heritage Site in 1987 because exposed mantle rocks make continental shifts visible.

The French name means "big gloomy hill," reflecting early sailor impressions of the barren highlands. Local fishing communities along the coast maintain traditions shaped by generations of working these northern waters.

Most visitors arrive via Route 430, which passes through several communities along the park boundary. Hiking trails range from short walks to full-day routes, and weather shifts are common even in summer.

The Tablelands plateau displays orange-brown rock from the Earth's mantle that reached the surface about 485 million years ago. Few plants grow on this mineral-rich soil, which resembles a Martian landscape.

Location: Division No. 9

Location: Division No. 5

Inception: October 1, 2005

Website: http://pc.gc.ca/fra/pn-np/nl/grosmorne

GPS coordinates: 49.68944,-57.73806

Latest update: December 12, 2025 00:11