Avalon Wilderness

Trip overview

The 45-km Avalon Wilderness Reserve D’Iberville route is a four-day mixed travel (hiking and packrafting) guided adventure, where clients have an opportunity to explore the rugged Newfoundland backcountry just an hour south of St. John’s. The 4-day, 3-night excursion loosely follows the route taken by Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville on his raid of the Southern Shore in 1696. The route is unmarked and there is no trail to guide you through the wilderness. Your guide will rely on traditional route-finding methods to cross the wilderness – primarily map/compass and GPS. In the Reserve you will experience a variety of terrain – from wetlands to boreal forest to barrens. The route provides excellent opportunities to view wildlife in its native habitats, as it passes almost entirely through the designated protected area. Proficient anglers may have the opportunity to dine on their catch, perhaps in the presence of woodland caribou.

Paddling a packraft through the Avalon Wilderness Reserve offers an opportunity to experience the pristine natural beauty of a unique part of Newfoundland. If you’ve never been in a packraft, you will see that these incredibly strong and stable boats are lightweight and fun to paddle, even for novice boaters. Guests on our day trip will enjoy exploring this remote place, its water systems, birds and wildlife. Photographers are free to try and capture some of the Reserve’s inhabitants, such as beaver, otter, lynx or muskrat. Certain restrictions exist for fishing and will be clarified by your tour organizer. Fishing is subject to provincial regulations. 

About the Avalon Wilderness Reserve: The AWR consists of 1,070 square kilometers of barrens and forests. It protects the Avalon Woodland Caribou herd, the most southerly caribou herd in Canada. The survival of this heard is a North American conservation success story. A rolling plateau, the area is dotted with boulders that were left behind by melting glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. The climate is “marine”, which means that winters are typically mild, and summers are cool. Strong winds, high humidity and rainfall are typical and there is often heavy fog. 

Restrictions: Fishing subject to Federal and Provincial regulations. Seasonal: Summer June – September. Your guide will advise on appropriate rules/regulations. Non-Newfoundland residents require a permit to fish inland waters 

What AWE Provides:

- Breakfast (3), lunch (4) and dinner (3) during excursion. Dinner in St. John's (last day)
- Trail snacks and hot drinks
- Professional Guide
- Shuttle to start and end point to/from St. John's
- Group equipment (tents, stoves, fuel)
- Kokopelli packraft and all required safety equipment (PFD, paddle, throwbag)
- Satellite phone, inReach®, expedition quality tents, fuel, MSR stoves, camp kitchen, medical kit, repair kit, etc.
- Reserve permit

Clients are responsible for:

- Accommodations/meals in St. John's/Southern Shore outside of those indicated above. 
- Personal camping items (Individual sleeping bag, sleeping pad, headlamp, personalclothing and toiletries)
- Medical and evacuation insurance (mandatory). Proof of insurance will be requested prior to trip start
- Trip cancelation insurance (recommended) for issues outside of our control (bad weather, travel related issues.)

Clients may rent camping gear (sleeping bags, Thermarests) for a fee.

Notes: As weather is highly variable, clients must ensure that they take appropriate waterproof clothing and footwear. Hiking boots are required, and gaiters are highly recommended. The trek is very wet at times, and clients can expect to have wet feet for most of the journey.