|
| Rotary Trail |
 |
The Rotary Trail is unique as urban trails go. It starts in commercial surroundings at the Memorial Drive Bridge over the mouth of the Lower Shoal Harbour River where it tumbles over its last fall before reaching the sea.
For the first 10 minutes, the trail hugs the river, skirting residential and recreational areas until you come to a bridge just above the confluence with Dark Hole Brook. Crossing the bridge, you enter a |
Boreal Forest as remote from civilization as if you were in the middle of the island. From there on, the trail follows the brook mapping out three links of a chain up the valley almost to the Trans Canada Highway. Each link brings you across the brook and connects with the former Newfoundland Railway road bed which forms the other side of the chain.
The successive links offer hikers a variety of routes without having to retrace their steps. The last link spans the brook where it has cut an impressive little gorge in the bedrock. The degree of difficulty is low along both the Lower Shoal Harbour River and Dark Hole Brook. The railway, which is now Newfoundland's portion of the Trans Canada Trail System, is higher up the valley wall but strategically placed steps render the short climb easy.
Nature lovers have a rare opportunity of seeing a variety of wildlife in its natural environment all along the trail despite being so close to human habitation.
This project was initiated by the Rotary Club of Clarenville.
|
Rotary Trail Photos: Click to Enlarge Picture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Wellness Trail |
 |
As if it were a metaphor for a healthy lifestyle, the Wellness Trail has no designated beginning or end. You can start at the High School or the Town Hall or even use it as a bridge between the Rotary Trail and the Bare Mountain Trail. It basically forms a cross pattern tending roughly towards four major compass points. Its degree of difficulty is really up to the user. It is a pleasant wooded walk up and down dale but it isdotted with exercise stations for those seeking amore strenuous workout. |
Wellness Trail Photos: Click to Enlarge Picture
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| Bare Mountain Trail |
 |
The Bare Mountain Trail is a three kilometer loop through lush forests punctuated by rocky promontories. It starts and ends at the Manitoba Professional Building on Manitoba Drive. As its name implies, it is hill walking at its best but it is not hill climbing. The route follows contour lines wherever it can to make the ascent as easy as possible. The steeper parts are assisted by stairs and rest stops give impressive views. he best view of all is at the summit which is 157.2 meters above |
sea level. Don't let this figure deter you as the start of the trail is at least half that height. From there, you have a clear view to all points of the compass. Inland you can see the White Hills Ski Resort and the impressive wooded hills that form the shoulders of the Shoal Harbour River Valley. To the North is Shoal Harbour, itself stretching on until it ends at the clearly visible causeway to Random Island. The Island fills the eastern horizon and you can even see parts of Smith Sound on the far side. In the foreground, the Northwest Arm of Random Sound spreads southward to meet up with the Southwest Arm and together meander on to Trinity Bay.
All of Clarenville, new and old, is spread out at your feet. It truly is a magnificent vista and well worth the effort. Continuing beyond the summit, you descend some steps to a man-made duck pond whose residents are always eager to greet travelers. From there, the route wanders back down to the beginning through fir and spruce woods that makes every day smell like Christmas!
|
Bare Mountain Trail Photos: Click to Enlarge Picture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Shoal Harbour Causeway Trail |
 |
The Shoal Harbour Causeway Walking Trail is a new trail which started constuction in the summer of 2006 with the development of a trail and padestrian bridge parallel to the causeway in Shoal Harbour. Presently a set of steps leading to two viewing decks overlooking beautiful Random Sound are being built. These decks will have story boards depicting the heritage and nature of the area. An asphalt walking trail will continue from the |
| pedestrian bridge to Hunts Hill. Picnic tables, benches, flower boxes and hanging baskets will be placed along the loop. A trail has also been designed to join into the Bare Mountain Trail system. A map of the Shoal Harbour Causeway Walking Trail is being developed. It will be posted when available. |
Shoal Hr. Causeway Trail Photos: Click to Enlarge Picture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
