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(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
We stayed in Fogo at Pegs Bed & Breakfast. This turned out to be a fabulous stroke of luck. Eileen and Gerald were consumate hosts, answering every question, tons of suggestions as to here to go, clean inviting rooms, and wonderful breakfasts. Peg's is located within walking distance of just about everything in the community, but all of this is only the half of it. Gerald is a historian, dedicated to the traditional way of life. He is an artist (we have a poster he painted of Fogo in our family room), and he is a musician who teaches kids the traditional instruments and tunes. One evening we were invited to the shed out back to listen to these kids play the button accordian. The kids were awesome! Eileen is a hiker and she will lead you to the best trails in the area and there are a few! From this couple we learned so much about the culture, music, politics and the land that created these people.
We have learned that Eileen and Gerald are taking a break from running the full Bed & Breakfast this summer (2016). They will have a couple of rooms to rent and it would still be a great place to stay.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
Within Fogo there are 4 trails. We did three of them. Fogo Island Inn has posted maps and information regarding the trails on the entire island.
If there was a board mapping out the trail we would take a picture if it, so that we could refer to it during the hike. Isn't technology wonderful!
The first trail we did was Brimstone Head. This is one of the four corners of the flat earth, according to the Flat Earth Society. Be prepared for strong wind gusts. The trail is quite uneven and very narrow at some points particularily along the cliffs on your left side as you are going up. If you are uncomfortable with heights this climb will provide a challenge. You get a stunning view of the entire area, you can see the Channel Islands, surrounding islands, icebergs, depending on the season, and Fogo wrapped around the harbour. There is a beautiful platform with benches at the top. A sign lets you know how far you are from various locations around the world.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
The Lion's Den Trail is a 5.5 km loop that starts at the Wireless Interpretation Centre, The Marconi site. There is alot of history contained within, about the wireless network, the tools, people and lifestyle of the area. The Marconi Station was the second one to receive the mayday call sent from the Titanic. The trail takes you through barrens, small forests and along shoreline. On the way you will pass through abandoned fishing villages. At the sites there are photograghs and information regarding the community that had been there. The people who lived in these pockets may as well have been a million miles away from the next community especially during the winter months. The trail has many boardwalks and stairs, there is alot of climbing and descending on rough rocky ground. You may come upon caribou. At Peg's there is a spectacular picture of a herd she came across during a winter walk. Make sure you have plenty of food and water with you. The trail is clearly marked and the landscape is stunning. Allow lots of time to follow off-shoot trails and to simply admire the beauty around you.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
We also did part of the Fogo Head Trail. The trail is easy to follow, but the terrain can get quite rough and steep at times. There are stairs in the most challenging areas. The views were really stunning and sunny weather adds to the hike. You are going over rocky exposed terrain and there is no break from the sun. Bring water and food! We always take longer on these hikes than the estimates given. We take frequent breaks, check out the plant life and try to orient ourselves in the area. This trail, like the others, gives you views of the surrounding islands.
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.