A geological wonder… over half a billion years in the making.
Welcome to the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark! You are about to take a journey that has been over half a billion years in the making. It traces the story of the last great ice age of the Precambrian, 580 million years ago, through the appearance of thefirst large, complex, multicellular organisms and the rise of animals, to more recent history where glacial and coastal processes have shaped the landscapes. The Trinity landscape on the horizon is an example of these recent glacial processes. The area is dominated by marine terraces, created following the Last Glacial Maximum as the land rose with respect to the sea.
Trinity Harbour is the product of millions of years of geological processes, producing one of the finest natural harbours on the island. Its shape is defined by the faults and folds of the rock, but one of the most important features is Fort Point – the natural headland that runs much of the way across the harbour entrance. This exists because of the resistant sandstone and conglomerate running along its length, making it less vulnerable to erosion. Fort Point was therefore a key location to place a fort to defend the harbour, be it from the French in the 18th century, or American Privateers in the 19th century!
Getting Here
Take Route 230 and exit at the Trinity turnoff (Route 239).
Trail
The Gun Hill Trail (Lower Route) is maintained by our partner, Hike Discovery Inc.
| Distance | 2 Km looped |
| Hiking Level | Easy – Moderate |
| Discovery! Geological Tour App | Yes |
| Hike Discovery App | Yes |
Flora/Fauna
The British Harbour-English Harbour area is characterized as a typical boreal forest cover of fir, spruce, birch, poplar, and juniper (larch, tamarack) with interspersed ponds and bogs. The higher elevation areas are typical of barren upland areas and headlands and characterized by more stunted tree growth, rare deciduous trees, and many open areas and bogs. Bog and sheep (geo-witty) laurel, Labrador tea and rhodora are common shrubs.
Attractions
The Town of Trinity is the site of a seasonal theatre company, an extensive historic district and numerous amenities.
Cultural Attractions
Cultural Heritage Sites in Trinity:
| St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Trinity | A timber framed church built between 1892 and 1894 in the Gothic Revival style of architecture, featuring a tower with a spire. |
| Roman Catholic Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Trinity | A timber famed church built in the Gothic Revival style of architecture in 1833. |
Historical Attractions
Historical Heritage Sites in Trinity:
| Trinity Visitor Centre Provincial Historic Site | This site features a new interactive exhibit telling the colourful story of Trinity’s past and present. |
| Mercantile Premises Provincial Historic Site | The business hub for three merchant families over 150 years. This Trinity counting house provides a glimpse at seaport life in the 1700s. |
| Hiscock House Provincial Historic Site | This site presents life in Trinity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and features the home of Emma Hiscock (circa 1910), a widowed entrepreneur providing for and raising her family. |
| Lester – Garland House, Trinity Historical Society Site | A reconstructed brick Georgian residence used as a museum and education centre. |
| The Trinity Museum, Trinity Historical Society Site | Built in the 1880s in saltbox style by the DeGrish Family, the building has been used as a museum since 1967. |
| The Cooperage, Trinity Historical Society Site | This site is functional living museum where you can see a cooper’s skills at work. |
| The Green Family Forge, Trinity Historical Society Site | This site is fully operational as a living history museum. The Green Family practiced as blacksmiths in Trinity since 1750. |
| Fort Point Military Site | Commonly referred to as Admirals Point, this site was built by the British in 1748 and explores a fortification used to protect Trinity Harbour. |