Trinity is one of those Newfoundland communities where colorful historic buildings, a sheltered harbor, and rugged coastal scenery all come together. Located on the Bonavista Peninsula, it’s also a convenient starting point for exploring nearby hiking trails and scenic viewpoints.
During our June 2026 Newfoundland road trip, we spent part of a day exploring the area. We began with a hike along a portion of the Skerwink Trail near Trinity East, followed by a visit to historic Trinity, a short walk to Lookout Trinity on Gun Hill, and a stop for ice cream overlooking the harbor.
Hiking the Skerwink Trail Near Trinity
Our first stop was the Skerwink Trail, located near Trinity East, just a short drive from Trinity. The trail is known for its rugged coastline, cliffs, and sea stacks rising from the water below.
Rather than hiking the entire Skerwink Trail loop, we chose an out-and-back route from Trinity East toward Dog Cove, following a portion of the trail that offered both wooded sections and coastal views.
Skerwink Trailhead At Trinity East
As we made our way along the trail, we encountered wooded sections, winding paths, and wooden structures that helped us navigate portions of the route. The changing scenery was part of what made the hike enjoyable, with opportunities to appreciate both the trail itself and the surrounding landscape.
On The Skerwink Trail
The coastal views were the real highlight for us. Along the way, we saw impressive sea stacks and rock formations rising from the water, with rugged cliffs extending along the shoreline.
Sea Stacks On The Skerwink Trail
We eventually reached a set of steps near Dog Cove. Having already enjoyed some memorable coastal views, we decided this was a good place to turn around rather than continue farther along the trail.
According to our Strava recording, our out-and-back hike covered approximately 2.05 miles, with 106 feet of elevation gain. We spent about 1 hour and 20 minutes on the trail, including stops to take photographs and enjoy the scenery.
Our Skerwink Trail Hike at a Glance
| Detail | Our Hike | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Trinity East |  |
| Parking | Small Parking Area & Street Parking | |
| Route | Coastal Inland Out & Back Toward Dog Cove | |
| Distance | Approximately 2.05 Miles Round Trip | |
| Elevation gain | 106 feet | |
| Total elapsed time | 1 hour, 20 minutes |
Although we didn’t complete the entire loop, we enjoyed the section we explored. For anyone interested in experiencing some of the Skerwink Trail’s coastal scenery without committing to the full route, an out-and-back hike is another option to consider.
Exploring Historic Trinity, Newfoundland
After our hike, we headed into Trinity to spend some time exploring the village.
With its colorful houses, historic buildings, and sheltered harbor, Trinity has much of the character that makes Newfoundland’s smaller coastal communities so appealing.
The village is surrounded by hills, and one of the best ways we found to appreciate its setting was to see it from above on Gun Hill.
A Short Walk to Lookout Trinity on Gun Hill
Our next outing was Gun Hill, where we took the shorter route to the viewing platform known as Lookout Trinity.
Although there’s a longer Gun Hill Trail route, we opted for the shorter walk to the lookout. We found the trailhead right next to the RBC Bank building in Trinity and parked along the side of the road just a short distance from the entrance.
From there, we followed the signs toward Upper Gun Hill. As we climbed above the village, the views opened up to reveal Trinity’s colorful houses, harbor, and surrounding coastline.
From the hillside, we could also see the church steeple rising above the village and a lighthouse offshore.
At the viewing platform, we found a cannon overlooking the harbor, along with a pair of red Adirondack chairs and a bench. It was a great place to stop, take photographs, and enjoy the panoramic views.
Views From Lookout Trinity
We also recorded a short video from atop Gun Hill to capture the panoramic views overlooking Trinity and the surrounding coastline.
According to our Strava recording, our walk covered approximately 0.54 mile round trip with 105 feet of elevation gain. We spent about 22 minutes on the trail, including stops to enjoy the scenery.
Our Gun Hill Walk at a Glance
| Detail | Our Walk |
|---|---|
| Starting Point | Beside the RBC Bank Building in Trinity |
| Parking | Roadside, a Short Distance from the Trailhead |
| Route | Short Out-and-Back Walk to Lookout Trinity |
| Distance | Approximately 0.54 Mile Round Trip |
| Elevation gain | 105 feet |
| Total elapsed time | 22 minutes |
For us, this shorter route was a convenient way to enjoy some of Trinity’s best views without hiking the longer Gun Hill Trail.
Sweet Rock Ice Cream: A Scenic Stop in Trinity
After exploring Gun Hill, we made one final stop at Sweet Rock Ice Cream.
Besides enjoying some ice cream, we had another opportunity to appreciate Trinity’s setting. From our vantage point, we could look out over the village, with its colorful buildings, church, and harbor.
It was a relaxing way to finish our visit after spending time on the trails.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Trinity
Our day in the Trinity area brought together several of the things we enjoy most about exploring Newfoundland: coastal hiking, scenic viewpoints, historic communities, and a few enjoyable stops along the way.
The Skerwink Trail gave us an opportunity to experience some of the rugged coastline and sea stacks, even though we chose not to complete the entire loop. Lookout Trinity on Gun Hill offered a different perspective, with panoramic views of the village and its harbor.
And finishing our outing with ice cream overlooking Trinity was a nice way to wrap up the day.
If you’re planning a Newfoundland road trip along the Bonavista Peninsula, Trinity and the surrounding area are certainly worth including in your travels. During our travels, we also visited Elliston, where we watched Atlantic puffins up close, and explored the unusual coastal formations at Dungeon Provincial Park near Bonavista.
Both are worth considering if you’re spending additional time exploring the peninsula.
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