Cape Spear in Newfoundland - Where Canada Meets the Atlantic

Two lighthouses watch over Cape Spear in Newfoundland, Canadas most easterly point, from which there is only the Atlantic Ocean to be seen all the way to the horizon.

One of them (the smaller one on top of the hill) is Newfoundland's second oldest lighthouse and dates back to 1836, when it started operating. Today both lighthouses are automatic, but the small one houses a museum where you can see how lighthouse keepers used to live in earlier times. It is operated by the National Park Service.

Cape Spear can be reached after a short drive from St. John's. From the parking lot you have the choice to walk up to the two lighthouses directly or take the more arduous route along the cape and up the steep hill.

My tip is to go to the lighthouses first. It is still a walk up the mountain, but you can walk the steepest part of the trail downhill, if you so choose. And it is definitely worth doing this.

In springtime there are often icebergs drifting by that broke off the Greenland icefield and make their way south until they melt.

Once the icebergs are gone the whales start coming. Finn whales, minkie whales and humpbacks are encountered quite regularly from land. Just watch for groups of people pointing out to sea. They are probably watching whales. If you are lucky, you might also spot a rare orca below the cliffs.

On your way around the cape you will pass remnants of a World War II defense installation. German submarines used to dive along this coast since Cape Spear was right on the route of the transatlantic convois from Europe to North America during the war.

The Canadians built a battery and stationed troops on the cliffs. Their accommodations and a big cannon are still to be seen as solemn remnants of difficult times.

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