The Baccalieu Trail

The Baccalieu Trail refers to the towns on the Bay de Verde Peninsula which follow the coast on the north western shore of Conception Bay and the north eastern shore of Trinity Bay.

Baccalieu is a significant name for the region for a number of reasons. “Baccalieu” is derived either from the Spanish bacalao or the Basque baccalos, both terms meaning “codfish” or “dried codfish.” As early as 500 years ago, migratory fishermen from many countries including Portugal, Spain, and the Banques country, which is now part of France and Spain, crossed the ocean to fish in the rich fishing grounds off the Bay de Verde Peninsula.

We can see evidence of Portugese fishermen in the community name Bay de Verde which is Portugese for "Green Bay." The presence of French fishermen is seen in the names Port de Grave, Harbour Grace ( possibly Harve de Grace), Bay Roberts (first named Baie de Robert) The name “Baccalieu" pays tribute to these fishermen whose adventures and contributions to the European settlement of North America have not been recorded; yet, whose voyages helped to bring about settlement.

The name Baccalieu Trail points to the role the area has always played and still plays in the provincial fishery. Today, the Baccalieu region is esponsible for approximately 22% of the value of the provincial fishery.

In addition, the name Baccalieu Trail reflects the Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve, which has the greatest abundance and species diversity of seabirds in eastern North America.

The region is comprised of almost 60 small towns, which retain their peaceful community centered lifestyle.

NOTE: The website is being redesigned, so there will be new links added each week until all towns have been added. Please check back frequently.

Islands
Baccalieu Island
Carbonear Island
Dildo Island

Communities
with Photos
Bareneed
Bay de Verde
Bay Roberts
Bishop's Cove
Blaketown
Brigus
Bristol's Hope
Broad Cove
Brownsdale
Bryant's Cove
Burnt Point
Caplin Cove & Low Point
Carbonear
Cavendish
Clarke's Beach
Cupids
Dildo
Freshwater [See Carbonear]
Georgetown
Grates Cove
Green's Harbour
Gull Island
Hant's Harbour
Harbour Grace
Heart's Content
Heart's Delight /Islington
Heart's Desire
Hopeall
Job's Cove
Kingston
Lead Cove
Lower Island Cove
Makinsons
Markland
New Chelsea
New Harbour
New Melbourne
New Perlican
North River
Northern Bay
Ochre Pit Cove
Old Perlican
Old Shop
Perry's Cove
Port de Grave
Red Head Cove
Roaches Line
Salmon Cove
Sibley's Cove
Small Point - Adams Cove - Blackhead - Broad Cove
South Dildo
South River
Spaniard's Bay
Turk's Cove
Upper Island Cove
Victoria
Western Bay
Whitbourne
Whiteway
Winterton