East Coast Trail named one of the Best Adventure Destinations for 2012

Spurwink Island Path

Gord Follett

Mar 2, 2012

East Coast Trail named one of the Best Adventure Destinations for 2012

Friday, March 2, 2012

East Coast Trail named one of the Best Adventure Destinations for 2012

Press Release, St. John’s NL, March 2nd, 2012


(St. John’s): In February the National Geographic identified the East Coast Trail as one of
the 10 best adventure destinations in the world for 2012.

The East Coast Trail Association is thrilled that others have come to appreciate what we
have always known, said President Randy Murphy. The East Coast Trail is an inspirational
place and offers the opportunity for an unforgettable experience to anyone looking for an
adventure of a lifetime.

The 540 km East Coast Trail takes hikers along one of the most scenic and unspoiled
coastlines in the world. This was confirmed in 2010 when the National Geographic ranked
the Avalon Peninsula as the world’s No. 1 coastal destination. The Trail has become a
provincial treasure and, with National Geographic’s recognition, is becoming a global
destination.

The people of this province should take great pride in this recognition, as it confirms that the
investment in the East Coast Trail is being returned many times over. This recognition also
confirms that when you build tourism products, such as the East Coast Trail, that combine the
very best we have to offer – our natural, cultural, historic, and community assets – together
with the raw natural beauty of our coastline, you create a unique tourism destination that is
second to none in the world, it is indeed priceless.

What seemed an impossible dream eighteen years ago, the creation of a world class, hiking
trail, has been realized, said Murphy. The Association, together with our partners, have
delivered an invaluable piece of tourism & recreational infrastructure that is making a
significant social, economic and environmental contribution to this province.

The Association wishes to thank all our volunteers, members, landowners, residents,
community groups, and governments at all levels, as well as individual and corporate donors,
for helping to develop, maintain and preserve the East Coast Trail. Thank you all for helping to
make the dream a reality.

The East Coast Trail is a resource that will keep on giving as long as we provide the loving
care and management it requires, said Murphy. The future economic potential for the Trail is
very real, and the National Geographic’s message to the world will most certainly help
enhance its value.

The front page of the Muse (February 23rd) summed it up nicely . . . The Trail Triumphs.

About The East Coast Trail Association:

The East Coast Trail Association is a member volunteer based, not-for-profit, registered
charity. The Association’s mission is to develop, maintain and preserve the East Coast Trail
while respecting the integrity of our natural environment, the needs of our communities, and
delivering a high quality wilderness hiking experience.

The East Coast Trail is a pedestrian hiking trail that runs along the coast of the eastern Avalon
from Topsail Beach to Trepassey, and in-land across the Avalon from Ferryland to Placentia.

In 2011 the Association recorded over 100,000 hiker visits along the East Coast Trail.

The full article is available here:

National Geographic


For further information, please contact:

Randy Murphy,
President, East Coast Trail Association
738-Hike (4453)

East Coast Trail Association
50 Pippy Place, 2nd Floor
P. O. Box 8034
St. John’s, NL, A1B 3M7

eastcoasttrail.com
office@eastcoasttrail.com

Telephone: 709-738-4453