September 22 – 24, 2023

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!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates. Not on social media? Email us at [email protected]

TAG US!: 

• #damnabletrail
• #damnabletrailfestival
• #roadtothebeaches

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).

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.

At this time the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has no Covid-19 mandates or restrictions in place.

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).

Some activities are weather dependent, check our FB and Instagram for updates the day-of.

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.

The Damnable Trail team will be selling merchandise.

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!

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 are gladly accepted onsite to fund the festival and ongoing trail maintenance.

See list of accommodators provided above. For help email our local Tourism Coordinator at [email protected]

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

We have arranged emergency services onsite for the Coastal Ridge Challenge. For all other events and activities please call 911 if an emergency arises.

• $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.