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. |
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Lower Shoal Harbour River Bridge
Lower Shoal Harbour River
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