Coast of Bays Tours
Route 360 (Coast of Bays Passage) off the Trans Canada Highway near Bishop's Falls takes you through the heart of the Newfoundland wilderness. Route 360 initially represented a logging road used by loggers in the Bay d'Espoir area to transport timber to the paper mill in Grand Falls.
In 1999 this portion of Newfoundland's South Coast received Themed Touring Route Status and is known as the Coast of Bays Passage. During the initial 130 km stretch (TCH to the Route 360/361 Junction) the central Newfoundland wilderness is explored and opportunities for viewing wildlife (particularly Caribou) are plentiful. In addition, an opportunity to view first hand the destructive power of fire is available. However, what has remained provides an interesting view of a burned landscape with stands of trees striped of all colour leaving only a silver gleam as the sun reflects off them.
As you continue along the Coast of Bays Passage you will soon find yourself in the 'High Country' where the barrens dominate the landscape. At an elevation of approximately 1000 feet, the rugged landscape associated with Newfoundland's coastline is prominent and easily visible. The scenery then transforms into another beautiful landscape with a view of the head of Hermitage Bay. Continuing along the Coast of Bays Passage (Route 360) the traveler experiences drastic changes in elevation as they drive aside the Fiords that makeup the Hermitage and Connaigre Bays.
The scenic quality throughout the region is representative of a variety of landscapes associated with Newfoundland's diverse ecology (wilderness, barrens, coastline, and fiords). Each of these traits can be explored and viewed as one drives through the Coast of Bays.
Apart from Route 360, other sections of the region include Route 361 (Bay d'Espior - relatively hilly/wooded area), Route 362 (Fortune Bay North Shore - rugged, barren landscape, large rock outcroppings - picturesque view of Ironskull), and Route 364 (Hermitage Bay - wooded area followed by barren coastline with pink grantite).
- Bay d'Espoir - Along Routes 361 and 365 visit the communities that make up Bay d'Espoir and explore the Mi'Kmaq Cultural Village and annual Powwow, a thriving aquaculture industry, fishing, wilderness tours, and the island's
largest hydro generation station.
- Fortune Bay North Shore - Along Routes 362 and 363 visit the communities of the Fortune Bay North Shore and explore small fishing villages, heritage sites, hiking trails, dramatic rugged coastal scenery, and traditional
Newfoundland Festivals.
- Hermitage and Connaigre Bays - Along Routes 360 and 364 visit the communities of the Hermitage and Connaigre Bays and explore the fiords that envelop the communities of the south coast, the isolated communities by coastal ferry, the heritage sites and walking trails, and the sandy beaches.
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