Stage 6 of the East Coast Trail covers 20.1 km from Quidi Vidi to Cape Spear, with 614 m of ascent and 600 m of descent. The highest point is 217 m. Allow about 8 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Taxi company in St. John's. There are no beds at Cape Spear: call a taxi from the Cape Spear car park back to St. John's (about 15 km by road) and return next morning. Phone signal at the cape is usually good.
Taxi company in St. John's; use it for the pickup at Cape Spear and the ride back next morning. Book ahead in the evening rush and on weekends.
Taxi company in St. John's, an alternative for the Cape Spear pickup. Uber also operates in St. John's.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "listed, not confirmed" appear on a public listing (the East Coast Trail Association directory or a taxi list) but could not be confirmed on their own website or the Newfoundland and Labrador tourism listings. The six ECTA wilderness campsites are free and first come, first served. Outport B&Bs and holiday homes are few and many open only from May or June to September: book ahead, especially for July and August.
Emergency: call 911 and ask for the police. Health advice 24 h: 811. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.