Fall in Love with Stiles Cove

Stiles Cove Path: 15km of awe-inspiring hiking trail linking Flatrock to Pouch Cove constructed to ECT Standard.
Find yourself at the edge of the world.

Three Grand Hikes

• 4 km: Flatrock to Red Head & return, 2-3 hrs
• 6 km: Stiles Cove to Flatrock one-way, 3-3.5 hrs
• 15 km: Pouch Cove to Flatrock one-way, 5-6 hrs

All three hikes are considered to be of moderate difficulty.

Participants for all three hikes assemble at the Flatrock Community Cetre to register from 8:30 to 9:30am. Pre-hike refreshments and music will be provided by our Flatrock hosts.

Flatrock to Red Head & return (2-3 hours)

The little grand hike will take you along about 2 km of this fabulous Path up to Red Head and back again. Along the way you'll witness Big River and the Whirly Pool Falls near the trailhead in Flatrock and then take the newly constructed Bridge over Big River to enjoy a coastal and wooded hike up to Red Head. Along the way you'll pass Maher's Rock, Hogan's Gulch, Long Point and The Holan. From Red Head there is a a beautiful view of Flatrock, the Beamer and parts of Torbay.

• Difficulty: Moderate. While this hike is relatively short, it requires a climb of about 70 metres.
• Start Point: Assemble at St. Michael's parking lot in Flatrock. Hikers will walk from there to the trailhead.
• Lunch: Snack break at Red Head.

Stiles Cove to Flatrock (3-3.5 hours)

The medium grand hike will start at the Stiles Cove access point and lead you back to the Flatrock trailhead near the Big River Falls. Be sure to check out the view point at Stiles Cove to see the rock ledges and the two waterfalls. Stiles Cove is the Path's namesake. After the Highlands watch for eagles near Grace's point.

• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Start Point: Assemble at St. Michael's parking lot in Flatrock. Hikers will share transportation among themselves to the Lions Club parking lot on Satellite Road, where the hike will begin at approximately 10:00.
• Lunch: There will be a lunch stop at a point agreed upon by the leaders, and announced in advance.

Pouch Cove to Flatrock (5-6 hours)

On the grandest of the grand hikes you'll see everything this Path has to offer. If you are keen to walk 15 km then come out and hike the Stiles Cove Path on October 17^th and enjoy it, savour it, cherish it. We expect that you will fall in love with this Path and return again and again.

• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Start Point: Assemble at St. Michael's parking lot in Flatrock. Hikers will share transportation among themselves to the St. Agnes Church parking lot in Pouch Cove, where the hike will begin at approximately 10:00.
• Lunch: There will be a lunch stop at a point agreed upon by the leaders, and announced in advance.

General Information & Logistics

• Hikers assemble at the Flatrock Community Centre to register between 8:30 and 9:15 am. Participants in the two longer hikes will arrange shared transportation and depart to the hike starting points after the conclusion of the official opening ceremony.
• All grand hikes on Stiles Cove Path terminate in Flatrock.
• All hikes will begin at approximately 10:00 am after the opening ceremony.
• Each hike has a designated leader, sweep and mid-group leader.
• Hikes will be operated according to standard ECTA Rules and Procedures, including sign-up and waiver forms.
• Participants will be encouraged to buy ECTA Stiles Cove Path maps. No special maps for the event will be distributed.
• Self guided hikes will not be catered for with special signage, marshals, etc.
• No shuttle transportation will be provided. Participants in the longer hikes must organize transportation informally among themselves.
• Hikers are to bring their own lunch and water for the hiking portion of the event.
• Participants in all three hikes are advised to wear sturdy hiking boots (not just sneakers). Although the trail has been thoroughly upgraded, the path is quite rough in places and wet sections may be encountered.

Parking Areas

• In Flatrock: Park at the Flatrock Community Hall parking lot located next to St. Michael's Church. The trailhead is at the end of Hickey's Lane, east of the church.
• At Stiles Cove: Park at the end of Satellite Road in the parking lot of the Lion's Club Chalet.
• In Pouch Cove: Park your car at St. Agnes's parking lot, opposite the post office. Do not occupy the post office parking lot.