Our Lady of Mercy NL | Gravels Rest Stop & Danny's Trail

Gravels Rest Stop & Danny's Trail

Danny's Trail (formerly known as The Gravels) is a favourite walking trail and birding location for locals and visitors alike. The Gravels Rest Stop is a perfect picnic location to feel the ocean breeze or to watch the sunset. Ask us about our Do-It-Yourself Beach Boil Up kits.

It's an easy seaside walk (6.4 km return) that weaves in and out of the forest along Port au Port Bay for incredible panoramic ocean and mountain views. The main trailhead is located at the Gravels Rest Stop on the Port au Port isthmus. There are two other trails heads: one near Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church & Complex, and another on Beachside Drive. The trail ends in the old Aguathuna Quarry (no longer in operation). Learn more about the boom and bust of the quarry at Our Lady of Mercy Museum.

Coastal erosion has created unique limestone formations and exposed embedded marine reef fossils. Keep a lookout for wildlife – foxes, rabbits, bald eagles, kittiwakes, terns, seals, and the occasional whale are known to make an appearance. Many native flora species can also be found along the trail, including yellow lady's-slipper, twinflower, and harebell.

Please do not feed wildlife or remove fossils.

A picture of a weathered wooden fence near the ocean. In the distance is a rounded mountain.

A person wearing a coat and warm hat sits in the grass looking out on the ocean. There is a small amount of snow on the ground.

A wintery photos of a coastal walking trail. In the background the sun sets over a large white church.

Two people walk along a gravel trail near the ocean.

Harebells grow under a wooden fence near the ocean.

A woman sits on top of large limestone rocks by the ocean.

Yellow lady's-slipper growing in the grass.

Photos courtesy of Dru Kennedy Photography, Go Western Newfoundland, Kathy March, Kristy Hoddinott, and Emili Fraser.