Explore. Experience. Ring the Bells!
Thank you for an excellent first year!
__________________________________________________________________________
Join us for the SECOND annual Damnable Trail Festival and retrace the paths of the first settlers through the boreal forest and along coastal headlands. Our trails were developed largely from the remnants of old walking trails and hauling paths forged by the first settlers to the area. In the spirit of reconnecting with the “old” trails and reawakening the outdoor spirit of the residents, this festival encourages visitors to marvel at the famous beaches of the Eastport Peninsula while experiencing our walking trails and rugged coastlines that will challenge any hiker.
The Damnable Trail Festival has something to offer just about everyone – from a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk with wheelchair accessibility, to the 22 km Coastal Ridge Challenge that follows a dramatic coastline and takes visitors through scenic communities like Salvage and Happy Adventure. Anyone, visitor or resident, has an opportunity to experience the great outdoors in this area!
PLEASE NOTE: Many events during the festival are FREE, however the Coastal Ridge Challenge requires pre-registration, we are sold out with a wait list. Our full festival schedule is below, scroll down for information and follow our social media for updates throughout the season.
Stay up to date by following our social channels:
Calling All Runners
Are You Ready for the Coastal Ridge Challenge?
The Coastal Ridge Challenge is an event at the festival that is a 22km trail race which takes runners along 15km of remote trail with coastal views and boreal forest, through 4 rural communities, and across 3 white sand beaches. It’s a race like no other!
- Registration is closed SOLD OUT!.
- Only the first 50 runners are able to register so sign up now.
- Race route is the same as 2022, starting at 8am in Salvage
- We welcome all runners and hikers who can safely complete the route in 5 hours or less
- Get your ticket here! $50 entry fee includes a custom race bib and medal (NEW!)

CRC Route and Details
- Start: Salvage Sunday Avenue trailhead parking lot, we start at 8am.
- End: Northside Beach, Eastport
- Route: Starting from the Salvage Coastal Ridge Trailhead, through 15km of remote trail, to Sandy Cove Beach, Caplin Gulch, through Old School House Trail, through the town of Happy Adventure, to Eastport Beach, across to High Tide Trail, ending on Northside Beach.
To find more details on the CRC race, please see the “What You Need to Know” section below.

Damnable Trail Festival Schedule
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22nd, 2023 | |
7am | Sunrise hike to Net Point – Salvage ~ 1 hour |
11:30am – 2:30pm | Picnic at the Point: Guided hike from Old School House Trail to Greenings Point, Sandy Cove (weather dependant) Ticketed at $50/pp (children’s options available) Email for menu & ticket information to. [email protected] Meeting location: Old School House Trail trailhead, Happy Adventure (follow the dirt road behind the fish plant) |
3:30 pm | Where the Damnable name came from! – St.Chad’s ‘Damnable Bay’ guided walk. More information and meeting location to follow |
4:30pm – 6:30pm | Damnable Ramble Kick Off – Chuff’s Bight Park, Sandringham with Coastal Ridge Challenge check-in. Live music by Coastal Connection, food trucks, adult challenges, kids games, prizes, with Anthony Germain of CBC hosting! |
SATURDAY SEPT 23rd, 2023 | |
6:45 am – 7:50 am | Coastal Ridge Challenge check-in (mandatory for all runners, at Sunday Ave race start line) |
8:00am | Coastal Ridge Challenge Adventure Race, Salvage (22KM) (Starting line: Salvage, Sunday Ave parking lot – past St. Stephen’s Hall, at the end of town you’ll see our sign – turn right, don’t be late!) |
9:00am | Coastal Ridge Trail (15km) free guided hike, registration and checklist required (donations encouraged), Location: Salvage, leaving from Sunday Ave trailhead, please arrive 15 minutes ahead to sign-in, must pre-register. Capped at 12. ***Advanced hike, approx 6-8 hours*** More information to follow, sign-up by email [email protected] |
10:00am – 1:00pm | CRC race end celebrations, Eastport (Northside Beach, follow the signs to St.Chad’s, beach entrance is on your right) |
12:00pm – 4:00pm | Salvage Historical Walk with Live music and delicious home cooked food at the Royal Pandora 50+ Club (toutons with jam and molasses, baked beans, and hotdogs), the Salvage Fisherman’s Museum (see John Gosse on the fiddle and tour the museum!), while enjoying the local trails and sites! Follow Route 310 to Salvage and look for our signs and volunteers. |
9:30pm | Damnable Dance Glow Party with Brad Turner of Halfway Rock S.U.F. Hall, on Church Street, Eastport ($10 cash at the door, free for CRC runners bring your medal!). Doors open 9:30pm, dance starts at 10pm (food available for purchase all evening). |
SUNDAY SEPT 24th, 2023 | |
8:00am – 10:00am | Damnable Breakfast, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 41, Location: 19 Legion Road, Eastport\ $12/pp (all ages) Menu and kids options coming soon |
10:00am | High Tide Kids Adventures scavenger hunt and hike, Eastport Beach, Eastport (FREE kids activities) |
2:00pm – 4:00pm | Damnable Diamond Tailgate BBQ, Includes Damnable Dash Family Run (all ages) and limited mobility guided walk Located at Ken Diamond Memorial Park, Glovertown Recreation Grounds. Follow Route 310 to Glovertown, follow signs to Ken Diamond Park and the Rec Grounds throughout town. |
Follow us on social media for updates and tips on having the best experience! Facebook & Instagram:
Damnable Trail | #damnabletrailfestival
If you’d like to support the trails and ongoing maintenance, click here
Schedule is subject to change. Weather dependent. Watch our social channels for updates.
Where to Stay and Eat
Enjoy your stay by taking advantage of the amazing lodging and food options below!
Where to Stay
- Crosstown Family RV Park (Glovertown) 709-533-7817
- Feather and Finn Breakfast Inn (Sandringham) 709-677-2104
- Happy Adventure Inn (Happy Adventure) 709-677-2233
- Harold W. Duffett Shriners R.V. Park (Eastport) 709-677-2438
- Newman Sound campground (Terra Nova National Park, park pass required)
- Oceanview Suites (Glovertown) 709-533-7414
- The Sailors Inn (Eastport) 403-999-9674
- Salvage Bay Cabins (Eastport) 709-677-2458
- Salty Bay Cabins (Traytown) 709-424-2908
- Sandy Cove Cabins (Sandy Cove) 709-677-3158
- Seaglo Cabins (Glovertown) 709-222-9459
- Sta-N-Play Cottages (Eastport) 709-677-2729
- The Getaway at Burden’s Point (Salvage) 416-953-4930
- White Sails Inn (Eastport) 709-677-3400

Where to Eat
Restaurants that will be open to serve you (Eastport Peninsula):
- Down Home Delights, open festival weekend 12-2pm & 4-7pm
- 64 Main Street (709) 526-2034
- Happy Adventure Inn, call for availability and reservations
- 8 Harbourview Road, Happy Adventure, (709) 677-2233
- Saltwater Scoops NL
- Ice Cream Truck (watch their Facebook for updates on locations and times) usually on Eastport Beach

Other food options and amenities available:
Eastport:
Big M’s (food truck) Sandringham
Freshmart (grocery store)
Little Denier Restaurant
Squire’s North Atlantic Kwikway convenience store and fuel. Hotdogs, dairy bar, beer, etc. available.
Eastport Pharmachoice (Beer, liquor, and amenities with second location in Glovertown)
Breakfast at the Royal Canadian Legion Eastport Br41 on Sunday Sept 24
Glovertown:
Crosstown Kwikway Convenience (fuel, takeout, dairy bar)
Irving & Robin’s Donuts
Mary Brown’s, TCH at turnoff to Route 310 (to Glovertown and Eastport Peninsula), located at Splash N Putt
Bayside Fries (food truck)
Foodland (grocery store)
North Atlantic, CapN Sub, Get Fried, Greco Pizza and NLC Express
Timber & Twine Country Coffee (coffee, ice cream, sandwiches, gift shop)
Follow the Road to the Beaches on Facebook & Instagram for more information on the area
What You Need to Know
About Us
The Damnable Trail is a network of scenic trails developed from old hauling and walking paths built by the first settlers of the Eastport Peninsula, Newfoundland. Ranging from rugged and challenging coastal trails to leisurely strolls along beaches and through our communities, Damnable Trail has something for everyone!
Updates
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates. Not on social media? Email us at [email protected]
TAG US!:
- #damnabletrail
- #damnabletrailfestival
- #roadtothebeaches
Getting Here
The Eastport Peninsula is a short 20 minutes off the Trans Canada Highway with good access roads. Take Route 310 (passes by Glovertown). We are approximately 1 hour from Gander and 3 hours from St. John’s (for more local information follow ‘Road to the Beaches’ on Facebook/Instagram).
Camping
See list of accommodators, plus there’s a camping platform (with beach) available on the Coastal Ridge Trail. Please note the Coastal Ridge Trail and Old School House trails are closed Saturday, Oct 1st from 6am-2pm for the safety of our runners. Be sure you are not on the trail at that time. For everyone’s safety keep pets off the trails during that time.
Covid-19
At this time the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has no Covid-19 mandates or restrictions in place.
Washrooms
We’ve chosen locations with a washroom onsite or nearby as best we can, we are working on a Porta Potty located at the Coastal Ridge Trailhead in Salvage (stay tuned for updates).
Animals/Pets
No pets at our organized events and activities. You are welcome to hike throughout the weekend and explore the trails with your pet: when hiking with a pet, it must be leashed, and remember to stoop and scoop. Bring your own poop bags and pack out what you pack in. A fresh water spout is provided at Sandy Cove Beach parking lot.
Vendors
The Damnable Trail team will be selling merchandise.
Around Town
The Eastport Peninsula and surrounding towns have a lot to offer visitors! Follow ‘Road to the Beaches’ on social media for more on what to do and see in the area. Plan to stay over for the Agricultural Exhibit the next weekend!
Admission
The festival is free, some events are ticketed where noted.
- The Coastal Ridge Challenge and the Saturday night concert at the Beaches Arts & Heritage Centre are ticketed online, all other ticketed events require cash at the door.
- Some activities that are free will require signup onsite.
- Guided hikes and walks are capped at 12 people per walk for safety, staggered times and multiple groups may take place, please be flexible with our volunteers.
Donations
Donations are gladly accepted onsite to fund the festival and ongoing trail maintenance.
Where to Stay
See list of accommodators provided above. For help email our local Tourism Coordinator at [email protected]
Accessibility
Parking will be available at all activities. The Chuff’s Bight trail is fully wheelchair accessible, as is Eastport Beach and Northside Beach (our beach mobility mats will be in place for the festival!). Ken Diamond Park is also a great option in Glovertown! Outside of our trail system there is an accessible 2.5km walking trail around Sandy Cove pond.
Parking
Parking is provided at all activities. We’ll post parking instructions throughout the festival; watch our social media. Our Instagram has a ‘Tips/Parking’ highlight. In Salvage we have 2 large trailhead parking lots (Sprucey Hill as you enter town, Sunday Ave at the end of town). Sandy Cove has ample parking with 3 lots available. All of our trailheads have parking onsite or nearby. RVs and trailers: many roads and parking lots will not accommodate a large vehicle and may not offer turnaround.
Hikes
The trails are ready for you! Ring the bells all over the network of trails including Glovertown’s Ken Diamond Park. Find maps onsite or online at damnabletrail.com (we are updating the maps with new trails). The Coastal Ridge Trail and Old School House Trail will temporarily close to the public Oct 1st from 6am-2pm for the safety of the CRC runners. Guided hikes on the trails will start at 3pm. See the festival schedule for information and check our social media for updates.
Food and Beverages
See list of Where to Eat above. You can bring your own food and water to activities, however alcohol is not permitted, with the exception of the Legion dance where alcohol will be sold onsite.
Lost and Found
The festival is located throughout the community over 3 days. We do not have a single location and therefore cannot offer a lost and found.
Emergency Services
We have arranged emergency services onsite for the Coastal Ridge Challenge. For all other events and activities please call 911 if an emergency arises.
The Coastal Ridge Challenge (CRC)
- $30 entry fee is non-refundable. If you’re unable to make it your entry will be donated to the festival and trail maintenance.
- All entry tickets must be purchased online in advance, no onsite ticket sales.
- Cut off: registration will close Thursday 8am, Sept 29th.
- Adults only (no minors)
- Part of the trail is remote with cell phone dead zones. You’ll encounter diverse terrain, slippery rocks, potential water, insects, steep climbs, beaches, and road running through rural communities. It’s important that everyone who signs up understands the race conditions: if you’re not an experienced runner on diverse terrain this is not the race for you.
- Race cut off time: starts at 8am goes until 1pm, however we will not leave any runner on the trail.
- Water and food: we will have water, snacks, and aid stations throughout the route.
- All runners are required to participate in a pre-race safety debriefing onsite and sign a waiver releasing the festival organizers and Race Director of liability. See festival schedule for check in times and where to pick-up your race pack.
- We’ve capped the race at 50 runners.
- Waiver / liability required onsite for all runners.
- Runners check in onsite to receive race pack with custom bib and receive medal at the finish line.
- Elevation gain: please check back.
- Coastal Ridge Trail and Old School House Trail will be closed to the public from 6am-2pm on race day for your safety.
- Environmental impact: it’s important to us that the trails are left as good as they were found, on race day plan to pack out anything you pack in.
- How to prepare: all runners should be experienced in how to dress and fuel/hydrate for an extreme race. We recommend dressing in light layers, prepare for changing weather conditions, and stay hydrated. Wear proper trail boots/trail running shoes that are broken in and have good tread.
- Please do not race if you’ve recently been sick or injured.
Volunteer Opportunities
We need volunteers! DM us on social media or email us at [email protected]
Sponsorship Opportunities
To donate to the event or sponsor the trails please email us [email protected]
A Special Thank You!
We just want to give a special thank you to:
- The TerraNovas Tourism Association Inc.
- The original Damnable Trail committee and volunteers who worked tirelessly to build the trails
- Communities of the Eastport Peninsula and town council members
- The Town of Glovertown
- The Beaches Arts & Heritage Centre
- The Salvage Fisherman’s Museum
- St. Stephen’s Hall (Pandora 50+ Club)
- The Eastport Legion Branch 41
- Eastport S.U.F Hall
- Local business operators who stay open to serve our guests
- All of the talented musicians
- Our amazing volunteers and guides
- Our incredible race team and all who made it a reality
- Students and teachers from Eastport and Glovertown
- Community members who pitched in with a variety of skills (donations of time, resources, and physical labour)
- Our long list of wonderful vendors
- And our partners who gave generously to make this festival a success.
- An extra thank you to the festival steering committee, without whom there would be no festival!

Our Amazing Sponsors
We want to honor our amazing sponsors and say thank you! This event would not be possible without you!












The Damnable Trails Festival is Supported by TerraNovas Tourism Association Inc.