(click here to find location on the map)
Crow Head Trail is at the west end of Port Saunders. From Route 430 take 430-28 West towards Port Saunders. As you approach the town take Main Street on your left. Turn right at the bottom of the hill. It is a pretty drive along the coast here with lots to see. Once you have passed by the fishing area Main Street will appear to split. While Main Street continues to your right up the hill, you want to go left to come to the trailhead of Crow Head Trail. There is a small parking lot and some plaques.
(click photos to enlarge)
The trail goes on for a number of kilometers. A diverse landscape includes limestone cliffs, tuckamores, twisted pines, wildflowers, unique rock formations, birds, gravel paths, boardwalks and many stairs. One minute you are buffeted by high winds and cold, The next you enter a forest enclave and its hot! Be ready for anything and don't forget the water!
(click photos to enlarge)
It is a well kept trail, clearly marked. In a number of areas wooden stairs make the trail easier. Part of the trail takes you along a cliff that gives a nice view across the harbour to the Keppel Island Lighthouse. It is from up here that you get your first look at the balancing rock. A bit further, stairs take you down to the beach which gives you access to the sleeping dragon and another look at the balancing rock. There is quite a bit of change in the vegetation as you go along. It is easy to see where the wind has the most dramatic effect, on the trees in particular.
(click photos to enlarge)
Hikes of Western Newfoundland by Katie Broadhurst and Alexandra Fortin is an excellent guide if you like to do trails. The book covers Western and Central Newfoundland as far east as Twillingate. They don't cover every trail, that's almost impossible. You'll find information on a good range of trails that you should consider.
You start with the area map where they show the trails that are covered by the book. The pages about each trail include GPS co-ordinates of the trailhead and a good map of the trail. They also tell you the level of difficulty and distances.
We bought a copy ahead of our June 2015 trip to scout out the trails we wanted to do ahead of time. The book is available on Amazon and you can purchase it through this link.