Hiking the Fox Island Trail

The local Community Recreation Committee and Development Association have developed a hiking trail from the town site to Fox Island. The start of the hiking trail is located at the end of the community of Champney’s West. The loop is 3 kilometers in length and takes about 1 hour to transerve. However most visitors allow longer time for sight seeing and to explore the beaches along the way.

Fox Island is no longer an island, as it is connected to the mainland by an isthmus formed by beach rocks built up by 1000's of years of wave action.. The trail crosses this isthmus and then proceeds to the summit of this prominent headland that juts 35 meters above sea level. The inquisitive hiker will enjoy exploring this trail with its history and scenery.

Picture of Iceberg shot from Fox Island. Note the fishing boat. Photo by Wanda Pippy.

This trail offers spectacular scenery and the opportunity to observe local plants, rock formations, seabirds, massive icebergs, whales and a mixture of other unspoiled features.Areas along the trail were utilized by local residents for growing vegetables, harvesting capelin, gathering berries, and hunting birds. The coastal areas form parts of historic salmon and cod fishing locations.

The height of the trail is Fox Island, from here you can explore the remains of old fortifications dating date to the early 1700's. Fox Island has two distinct plateaus, the lower of which (known as “the Porch”) has clear evidence of trenches that were used as a defence during Queen Anne’s War. The war began in 1701 as a result of conflict between England and a Spanish-French alliance

From the summit of Fox Island you will experience a panoramic view of many places in the Trinity Bight and look out over the waters of Trinity Bay. A great location from which to take pictures and to also observe whales, Eagles and other Seabirds.

Also at the top of Fox Island visitors and local residents have literally put their mark on the area, as noted by names carved into the soft bedrock.

Names craved in soft rock face on Fox Island, some are very old. Photo by Bev Freeman

View of Fox Island from the hiking trail. Note the height, trail goes to top. Pic by Lori Herron