Little River, Big Thrill
For whitewater kayakers and canoeists in a hurry, the Main is an ideal river. Short, swift and scenic, it can be run, from start to finish, in only 3-6 exhilarating days. Like a full course meal served at a fast food pace, the Main passes in quick succession through barren tundra, old-growth forests, lush grasslands and deep valleys.

Adventurers with only a weekend to spare can opt for the river's lower half. A put-in point at the logging road bridge, west of Sop's Arm, launches an overnight journey to the Atlantic Ocean via a spectacular whitewater canyon.

Five-Part Paddle: River runners divide the Main into 5 distinct sections:
• Four Ponds Lake, a series of lakes at the river's headwaters in the Long Range Mountains, accessible only by float plane
• Upper River, a mixture of small ledges and rock-studded boulder gardens
• Big Steady, a calmer, more leisurely stretch
• Rapid River, where the river's turbulence resumes
• Deep Valley, the fast-moving, cliff-edged run to the sea.

Experience Required: The Main is a challenging river, with Class I to Class III rapids that can quickly become Class IV or V in heavy rains. The Upper River section can be rocky and slippery, and the lower rapids and canyon require an advanced level of canoeing or kayaking skill. For further information, contact regional outfitters, guides, and float plane operators.

Big Game, Super Salmon: Trophy Hunting and Fishing on the Main
Black bears weigh in at 130 kilograms. Atlantic salmon measure over a metre long. For hunters and anglers seeking a wilderness adventure and trophy-sized fish and game, the undisturbed forests and cold, clean waters of the Main provide bountiful territory.

Hunting lodge operators in the Main area can rely on ample resources to satisfy their guests. Newfoundland black bears tend to be larger than their mainland relatives, occasionally reaching a whopping 270 kilograms. Moose are plentiful, even though they were introduced to the island just over a hundred years ago. And when it comes to woodland caribou, local outfitters claim a 100% success rate in bagging mature stags.

Atlantic salmon runs peak in early to mid-July, and brook trout are also in plentiful supply. Fly-fishers can access the river by car on the logging road that runs west from Sop's Arm. Outfitting and guiding companies will arrange expeditions by float plane to the Four Ponds headwaters and the upper river.

Graceful Gros Morne: The Park Next Door In the Long Range Mountains, at the western headwaters of the Main, lies the eastern boundary of Gros Morne National Park. A 1,805 square kilometre landscape of highlands, fjord valleys, deep glacial lakes, and coastal cliffs, the park is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Encompassing both arctic-like barrens on the alpine plateau of the Long Range Mountains and coastal lowlands bordering on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Gros Morne has been recognized for its unique combination of geological features. The rocks of the area portray a turbulent history, and have contributed to the study of plate tectonics. The park also contains hundreds of species of temperate, boreal and arctic flora and fauna.

Plan Your Gros Morne Adventure
· Hiking and Backpacking- Got an hour? Take a stroll to Broom Point or Berry Hill Pond. Half a day? Hike to Brooks Falls, Stuckless Pond or Green Garden. If you're an experienced back-packer, gather your gear, obtain a permit, and head out on a 3-day backcountry hike on the North Rim or Long Range Traverse trails. Some primitive backcountry camping sites are available.

· Camping - Choose from 5 different serviced sites: Shallow Bay, featuring a long, sandy beach; Berry Hill, near the Lobster Cove Head lighthouse; Lomond, a former logging community and favourite of West Coast residents; Green Point, nestled right on the coast above a cobble beach; and Trout River Pond, a good base for exploring the geology of the Tablelands.

· Boating and Boat Tours - Launch your power boat at Trout River Pond, Mill Brook or Lomond day-use areas, or take a narrated boat tour. View the billion-year-old cliffs at Western Brook Pond, or cruise a former 15 kilometre fjord at Trout River Pond.

· Sea Kayaking - Explore the bays and fjord lakes of the Gros Morne coastline. View harbour seals in St. Paul's Inlet, visit wooded coves in Inner Bonne Bay. Be aware that wind and weather conditions can change quickly and that easterly winds are particularly violent when blowing offshore along the open coast.

· Information and Interpretation- Find out more about the geology of Gros Morne National Park at the Visitor Reception Centre near Rocky Harbour. Learn about aboriginal peoples, local communities and lighthouse life at Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse. See a re-created family fishing operation at Broom Point, and learn more about the Park's cultural and natural heritage at the recently-constructed Discovery Centre on the south side of Bonne Bay.