Day Tours Lesson Plans and Resources

OVERVIEW
BACCALIEU TRAIL

The Baccalieu Trail or Bay de Verde Peninsula is a region located on the North West Avalon Peninsula, encompassing more than two thousand square miles and more than forty thousand people, living in over 60 communities. Founded to capitalize on the fishing industry which has declined greatly in the past ten years, the Baccalieu Trail has a wealth of history, culture, and scenic beauty, and is a natural haven for tourist. In 1993, the Baccalieu Trail was designated as a National Heritage Region, the fifth in the country to be honored.

The North Atlantic has dominated many aspects of life in this region. First visited by Europeans in the 16th century, the Baccalieu ( Portuguese for codfish) Region has played an important role in the history of the province. Settlement patterns were dictated by access to the fishing grounds, with all but two communities being bounded by Trinity and Conception Bays. Highways connecting these communities hug the coastline, affording travelers breathtaking views of the ruggedness of our shores, the abundant whales, birds, and in early spring, the ice bergs which drift down from the Arctic.

Note

There are at least ten sites on the Baccalieu Trail offering organized educational programs for visiting students. Any teacher wishing to take a tour at any or all of these sites can contact the person listed in the upper left hand corner of the site information sheets for a schedule.