Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site

Mistaken Point-named for the navigational hazard it poses at the often-foggy southeastern tip of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula-is one of the world’s most significant fossil sites. Situated between the town of Portugal Cove South and Cape Race, the 5.7 km2 Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve (976 KB) extends along 17 kilometres of coastline. On July 17, 2016, the coastline of Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve was inscribed as a World Heritage Site.

Fossil

Please be aware that Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve is currently being monitored by cameras for research and conservation purposes. For more information, please contact Natural Areas staff at (709) 438-1012 or email mistakenpointtour@gov.nl.ca. 

The Fossils of Mistaken Point

Imprinted upon over 100 of the bedding planes within Mistaken Point’s tilted and cleaved sequence of mudstones and sandstones are fossils of the oldest, large, complex life-forms found anywhere on Earth. Known to scientists as the Ediacara biota, these creatures lived from 580 to 541 million years ago, when all life was in the sea.

The oldest and most spectacular assemblage of these fossils – the Mistaken Point assemblage (580 to 560 million years old) – is preserved in Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve. The Reserve is the best place in the world where you can view a 565-million-year-old sea floor that accurately preserves the ecology of these ancient deep sea communities.

The organisms whose fossils now form the Mistaken Point assemblage lived on the bottom of a deep ocean, considerably below the depths that waves or light could reach. At the time, what is now the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland was located between latitudes 40° – 65° South. More than 30 species (20 of which occur within the Reserve) comprise the Mistaken Point assemblage, most of them representatives of extinct groups unknown in our modern world.

Normally, when marine animals die, only bones, shells, and other hard parts are preserved as fossils. The soft-bodied creatures at Mistaken Point lived millions of years before animals developed skeletons, but the imprints of their soft tissues were preserved in place on the muddy sea floor when they were suddenly buried by repeated influxes of volcanic ash-rich sediment. The volcanic ash layers contain crystals of the mineral zircon, which enable geologists to accurately date them. Ediacaran fossils also occur in Russia, Australia, China and Namibia, but the age, abundance and variety of those found at Mistaken Point make the site unique.

PLEASE NOTE: THE REMOVAL OR ATTEMPTED REMOVAL OF FOSSILS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED

History of Mistaken Point

The fossil beds of Mistaken Point were known to local hunters and residents of nearby communities in the 20th century. Children playing on the exposed beds would comment on the ‘flowers in the rocks’. Their significance was not understood until one day in 1967, when Shiva Balak Misra, with his field assistant Paul Thompson, were mapping Precambrian rocks along the coastline, discovered the fossil beds and realized their enormous significance. This was the first record of an Ediacara-type fauna from the Western Hemisphere.

As news of Mistaken Point grew as a result of scientific articles and news reports, concerns were raised about the need to safeguard the site from fossil collectors. Some fossils were stolen, and local community members and academics did what they could to watch over the site and deter any further fossil thefts. A group lobbied for Mistaken Point to be protected, and in 1987, Mistaken Point received permanent designation as a fossil ecological reserve. In 2003 an emergency extension to the west was temporarily added to encompass and protect newly discovered fossils. In 2009 Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve was expanded to permanently protect these new fossil sites.

Fossil

Mistaken Point was added to the list of Canada’s Tentative List of potential UNESCO World Heritage properties in 2004. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador partnered with the local organization, the Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc., to submit the Mistaken Point Nomination Dossier for Inscription as a World Heritage Site in 2015. With the successful designation of Mistaken Point as a World Heritage Site on July 17, 2016, Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve and World Heritage Site will continue to be managed by the Natural Areas Program, within the provincial Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

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How to get there

Fossil

Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve is located on the southeastern tip of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula, within the Eastern Hyper-Oceanic Barrens ecoregion (862 KB).

The closest community to Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve (976 KB) is Portugal Cove South, which is a two-hour drive south from St. John’s on Highway 10 (the Irish Loop Drive).

From Argentia, the drive follows Highway 100 north to the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), east to Exit 35, then continues along Highway 90 to Portugal Cove South. You can also access the Irish Loop Drive from Exit 37 off the Trans-Canada Highway.

The Edge of Avalon Interpretive Centre – from which the official guided tours to Mistaken Point depart – is located adjacent to Highway 10 in Portugal Cove South.

 

Access to view the fossils is by guided tour or permit only.

No motorized vehicles of any type, including off-road, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or snowmobiles, are allowed in the Reserve. Bicycles and horses are also not permitted.

Fossil Protection Zone

Beyond the Watern Cove River, the Watern Cove trail enters part of the Fossil Protection Zone (976 KB) — an area of coastline within the Reserve where fossils are most vulnerable to the effects of erosion and human activities. Access to this portion of the Reserve is by guided tour only.

In certain cases, such as for local traditional use, a Traditional Use Pass can be issued for access to the Fossil Protection Zone. However, public access to the zone is generally restricted to ensure protection of these world-class fossils. For more information on the Fossil Protection Zone or Traditional Use Pass, please contact staff at (709-438-1012) or contact the Natural Areas Program.

For more information about guided tours within Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve visit the Activities page.

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Activities

To view fossils in the Reserve visitors must take a guided tour.

**Please call well ahead of your planned visit to ensure availability and avoid disappointment** Space on interpretive tours is limited.

Guided tours to view the fossils are available from Natural Areas Interpreters. For more information about guided tours (mid-May to mid-October) or to reserve a space call the Reserve Interpreters at (709) 438-1011 or email mistakenpointtour@gov.nl.ca. Offices for provincial Natural Areas staff are located at the Edge of Avalon Interpretive Centre in Portugal Cove South (located on Route 10, the Irish Loop Drive – a two hour drive south of St. John’s).

Guided Tour

Mistaken Point Guided Tour

This tour will introduce you to the history of the area, the fossils of the Ediacaran biota, and how Mistaken Point became known world-wide as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will get a chance to see fossils up close, by walking on the surface of these internationally significant bedding planes filled with thousands of fossils.

An official Natural Areas Interpreter will take you on a 45 minute, one-way walk through history to the sloping hills of Mistaken Point. The rolling path winds over the barrens along the coastline. This route follows the track leading to the former seasonal fishing site at Watern Cove. Remnant rock ‘fish flakes’, used for drying cod can still be found in the area. There is now a wooden bridge over the small river crossing in Watern Cove.

Guided tour reservations are strongly advised, as tours are often fully booked in advance. Call (709) 438-1011 or email mistakenpointtour@gov.nl.ca to book a space.

Tour Schedule: There is a daily guided tour that starts at 12:30 pm from the Edge of Avalon Interpretive Centre. Space is limited. Please check availability by contacting reserve interpreters at 709-438-1011 or email mistakenpointtour@gov.nl.ca.

Tour Duration: 3.5 – 4 hours. This includes a 30 minute, one-way drive in your own vehicle to reach the trailhead.

Difficulty: This trail is rated as a moderately difficult hiking trail. There are uneven and wet surfaces, and some scrambling over rocks. The overall distance (6 km) may pose the greatest challenge for some. Sections of the trail are muddy, wet and often slippery. This is especially true of the approaches to Watern Cove. You are advised to use caution in these areas. The hike is not recommended for anyone with hip, knee, ankle or other leg injuries.

Tour Capacity: 12 people per tour. Due to Covid-19, tour capacity will also depend on the number of people in a ‘bubble’.

Important Requirements for Visitors

  • Entry to coastal areas where fossils are present is by permit or interpretive tour only.
  • Space on interpretive tours is limited. Please book beforehand to ensure your group can be accommodated.
  • Read and abide by the Rules and Regulations before visiting.
  • The Edge of Avalon Interpretive Centre is owned and operated by a not-for-profit community organization, Mistaken Point Cape Race Heritage Inc., and admission to view exhibits at the Centre is $5.00 plus HST, per adult. For those registered for the guided hike, entrance to the exhibit room is included in the fee.
  • Dress for open-country walking. There is a high probability you will encounter a combination of cool, windy, wet and/or and foggy conditions.
  • Bring sun screen and insect repellent.
  • Proper hiking footwear and rainwear are recommended.
  • Sandals are not permitted.
  • It is a good idea to bring water, a snack, and binoculars.
  • Please note there are no washroom facilities in the Reserve, only at the trailhead parking lot.
  • Cliff edges are dangerous. Please stay on the trail.
  • Dogs are not permitted on guided tours.
  • The tour may be cancelled due to dangerous weather conditions such as thunderstorms or very high winds.

Organized Tour Groups

Organized tour groups (for example, from universities, conferences or schools) must obtain an Educational Tour Permit before visiting the Reserve.

Designated Trails

There are two hiking trails that we encourage the public to use.

The Rookery Trail leads to soaring cliffs, where you can observe nesting seabird colonies and whales. A paved pull-off and a sign for the Rookery is shortly after the Drook Beach.

The Freshwater Trail brings you along the barrens to the water’s edge where you can view a variety of seabirds. A parking lot for Freshwater Trail is located where the gravel road begins, and is across the road from the trail.

Access to view the fossils is by guided tour or permit only.

Please note that a permit is required to access the Fossil Protection Zone. For more information visit How to Get There.

Please carry a compass if you intend to walk a designated trail on your own.

Contact Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve

For more information about guided tours (late May – early October) within Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, or to book a tour, call the Edge of Avalon Interpretive Centre in Portugal Cove South and ask to speak to one of the Reserve’s Interpreters.

Reserve Interpreters
Tel: (709) 438-1011
Email: mistakenpointtour@gov.nl.ca

For information on Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve permit requirements for research, educational tour groups or commercial operators, or the Reserve’s Fossil Protection Zone, contact:

Reserve Management
Tel: (709) 438-1012
Email: powert@gov.nl.ca

or

Reserve Geologist
Tel: (709) 438-2400
Email: MarkKing@gov.nl.ca

For general information about Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve or any of the other wilderness and ecological reserves in the Province’s protected areas system, please contact the Natural Areas Program.

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Services

Please Note: There are no services within the Reserve.

Official Natural Areas Program interpretive tours are offered seasonally (from mid May to early October) from the Edge of Avalon Interpretive Centre in Portugal Cove South. For more information on tours, visit the Activities page or call:

Reserve Interpreters
Tel: (709) 438-1011

The Interpretive Centre is owned and operated by the not-for-profit group Mistaken Point Cape Race Heritage Inc. For information on opening hours associated with viewing the interpretive exhibits at the Visitor Centre contact:

Mistaken Point Cape Race Heritage Inc.
Tel: (709) 438-1100

The nearest tourism services are located in Trepassey, 12 kilometres west of Portugal Cove South.

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Fees and Schedule

Schedule: Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve offers official interpretive tours from May to October.

Guided Tour Fees:

Individual: $23.00 per person
Children: 12 years of age and under are FREE
Family: $57.50 per family

  • A family may include 2 adults and any youth ages 13-17.
  • Fees are to be paid on day of hike at the Edge of Avalon Interpretation Center.
  • Payments can be made using CASH, DEBIT, VISA or MASTER CARD.
  • All fees include tax and admission to exhibit room.

Please visit the Activities page for more information on the tour and call the tour interpreters at (709) 438-1011 or email MistakenPointTour@gov.nl.ca to book your guided hike to view the fossils in the reserve.

 

Edge of Avalon Interpretation Centre Fees:

There is a small fee for entry to the exhibits at the Edge of Avalon Interpretive Centre. For those on the guided hike, entrance to the indoor exhibits is included in the guided hike fee.  For more information on opening hours at the Edge of Avalon Interpretation Centre and fees associated with viewing the interpretive exhibits contact Interpretive Centre staff at (709) 438-1011.

 

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Rules and Regulations

Biodiversity protection and habitat conservation are two of the key purposes of ecological reserves, so certain rules apply within all the reserves in the province to support those goals.

Coastline of Mistaken Point

The public can visit most ecological reserves for educational purposes or low-impact recreational activities, such as wild life viewing and nature photography. However, to view the fossils at Mistaken Point, visitors must be accompanied by an official tour guide. Guided tours are offered by Natural Areas Program interpreters at the Interpretive Centre in Portugal Cove South.

The Fossil Ecological Reserve Regulations and the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve Management Plan (3.3 MB) were revised in 2009 to provide stronger protection for the Reserve while accommodating public access. Permits are required for scientific research, commercial operators, non-commercial enterprises, educational tours and entry into the Fossil Protection Zone.

The following activities are strictly prohibited in all wilderness and ecological reserves:

  • Disturbing, destroying, or removing plants, animals, or fossils
  • Introducing plants, animals, or anything else to the reserve landscape
  • Forestry, mining (including exploration), hydro development, agriculture, new roads, tracks, or building construction
  • Driving off-road vehicles including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)

Read the official reserve regulations:

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