17. La Manche Village Path

 

Access Points: Tors Cove - Enter Tors Cove from Back Road on Route 10. Park in the lot provided to the east of the white church. Walk towards the fish plant, then south near the coast on a gravel road then the paved community road to Bauline East. For a shorter road hike, park at St. Michael's Church and walk to the trailhead in Bauline East. Limited designated hiker parking also at Bauline East Wharf.  If parking at the wharf, proceed uphill (up the, initially paved road), seemingly away from the ocean. Do not take the gravel road to the left of the parking area as you exit the wharf. La Manche Village - Follow Route 10 to La Manche Provincial Park. Limited parking available at the end of La Manche Road. Unlimited parking is available in the park day-use area of the park for a small fee. If parking at La Manche (the end of La Manche Road) you will hike an access trail for 1 km towards the coast to reach the former village of La Manche and the East Coast Trail.

 

About this path: La Manche Village Path is an easy hike from Bauline East to the former settlement of La Manche ending at the 50m suspension bridge. One major hill (on a gravel road) then a relatively flat wooded hike into the Provincial Park and on to the former settlement. This path is not a loop. See the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, islands supporting seabirds, puffins, and watch whales in season.  Side trail down to rocky Doctors Cove offers a nice spot for a break. La Manche Village features old slate foundations of the homes once nestled in the community. Serviced camping, swimming, picnicking in La Manche Provincial Park. Limited facilities in Tors Cove. Limited services in Bauline East, St. Michaels and Burnt Cove along the hike. 

 

Photo by @the.active.advocate on Instagram

 

Video of La Manche by Eric Aylward: https://youtu.be/V_oAvbkBBbc