The Spillars Cove shoreline unfolding in the distance offers stunning views of a rugged coastline created by thousands of years of exposure to natural elements.
Spillars Cove is a spectacular rocky bay, between Spillars Point to the east and Cape Bonavista to the west. This geosite has special significance, marking the boundary between the two geological halves of the Bonavista Peninsula. The Spillars Cove – English Harbour Fault Zone divides the Ediacaran fossil-containing rocks of the St. John’s basin in the east from the rocks of the Bonavista basin in the west.
The rocks on the east side of the cove are shallow dipping sandstones, while the sedimentary rocks on the west side of the cove include sandstone and conglomerate. These steeply dipping rocks are fractured, broken and altered due to the fault zone.
The Chimney is a prominent narrow sea stack, and is the remains of an igneous intrusion. This resistant mafic igneous dyke cuts across the sedimentary rocks and is an ideal nesting site for seabirds.
Getting Here
Take Route 230 or 235 and drive towards Bonavista. From 230, take the right turn for Spillars Cove and Elliston (Route 238), and then take the turn into the community of Spillars Cove. From 235 follow the ‘Discovery Trail’ signage through town. From Elliston take Route 238, and turn right at the Spillars Cove turning. Low clearance vehicles should park at the end of the pavement in the community of Spillars Cove. Follow the gravel road to Spillars Point and Cable John Cove.
UTM: 0348450E, 5391938N
Trail
The Klondike Trail is maintained by our partner, Hike Discovery Inc.
| Distance | 3 km |
| Hiking Level | Easy – Moderate |
| Discovery! Geological Tour App | Yes |
| Hike Discovery App | Yes |
Flora/Fauna
This area is typical of Newfoundland headlands and capes covered with blackberry earth. A strong aroma of sheep laurel, bakeapple berries, blue flag irises, and patches of drokes (a thick grove of trees in a valley, sometimes with a stream) of shrub spruce and fir fills the air in summer months. Near the cliff edges, the shrub spruce can become a thicket called tuckamore. Tuckamore are small, stunted evergreen trees with gnarled spreading roots, forming closely matted ground-cover or thickets on the barren and coastal regions.
Cultural/Historical Attractions
Spillars Cove and the Chimney are located along a Hike Discovery Trail in a natural setting.