sleepyhead65
Active Member
Old Petty Harbour Road is the former road connecting St John’s to Petty Harbour. Over time and much ATV use it has become a road in name only. The current condition of the trail varies from graded with large puddles (at the St John’s trailhead) to technical rocky parts with streams running both across and on top of the trail. Some riding in soft, boggy parts is unavoidable but the worst of it can be avoided.
This trail can be completed by dual sports up to about 650cc but there are sections that are very challenging for heavier bikes. 400cc and lighter bikes make the trail and it’s many connecting trails more enjoyable. To just ride end to end on the trail takes very little time...but I have managed to spend two full afternoons exploring the connecting trails and I’m still not finished nor have I ridden the same trail twice.
The trail has pretty much daily use by ATV riders in the warm season and (Bell) cell phone coverage is strong along the entire length of the trail. Camping, swimming and fishing are technically not allowed in this watershed but there is ample evidence that these activities occur regularly.
Highlights of the trail include:
• Beautiful lake (pond) views
• Lovely fall colours from the Hemlock forests and the dark red of the bogs.
• Connected trails to stunning views of Petty Harbour from the top of mountains.
• A variety of challenging, technical riding with occasional spots to open it up
• If you like mud and getting dirty, mud can be found in abundant supply
• The lakes have clean, drinkable water but it is (was?) part of the water supply system so be careful to not pollute them.
For a 2x speed ride through of the trail try these links
[video=youtube_share;x5NIVoX7yN4]http://youtu.be/x5NIVoX7yN4[/video]
Here is the google map link for Old Petty Harbour Road trailhead to trailhead.
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/47.5...7,-52.7287873,4902m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e2
and some spots along the way
47.484204, -52.729963 decent break spot and possible swim
47.475778, -52.722668 Trail in reasonable shape for a good view of Petty harbour
47.472154, -52.715169 Another trail in reasonably good shape for good views
47.494324, -52.742789 A pretty decent camp site. So far not filled with garbage.
47.490424, -52.742623 On the same trail as the campsite. This is an excellent swim spot with deep water and clean rocks to climb out on. Be careful of possible broken glass as this spot has been used by pigs.
This trail can be completed by dual sports up to about 650cc but there are sections that are very challenging for heavier bikes. 400cc and lighter bikes make the trail and it’s many connecting trails more enjoyable. To just ride end to end on the trail takes very little time...but I have managed to spend two full afternoons exploring the connecting trails and I’m still not finished nor have I ridden the same trail twice.
The trail has pretty much daily use by ATV riders in the warm season and (Bell) cell phone coverage is strong along the entire length of the trail. Camping, swimming and fishing are technically not allowed in this watershed but there is ample evidence that these activities occur regularly.
Highlights of the trail include:
• Beautiful lake (pond) views
• Lovely fall colours from the Hemlock forests and the dark red of the bogs.
• Connected trails to stunning views of Petty Harbour from the top of mountains.
• A variety of challenging, technical riding with occasional spots to open it up
• If you like mud and getting dirty, mud can be found in abundant supply
• The lakes have clean, drinkable water but it is (was?) part of the water supply system so be careful to not pollute them.
For a 2x speed ride through of the trail try these links
[video=youtube_share;x5NIVoX7yN4]http://youtu.be/x5NIVoX7yN4[/video]
Here is the google map link for Old Petty Harbour Road trailhead to trailhead.
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/47.5...7,-52.7287873,4902m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e2
and some spots along the way
47.484204, -52.729963 decent break spot and possible swim
47.475778, -52.722668 Trail in reasonable shape for a good view of Petty harbour
47.472154, -52.715169 Another trail in reasonably good shape for good views
47.494324, -52.742789 A pretty decent camp site. So far not filled with garbage.
47.490424, -52.742623 On the same trail as the campsite. This is an excellent swim spot with deep water and clean rocks to climb out on. Be careful of possible broken glass as this spot has been used by pigs.
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