L’Anse aux Meadows is the first place European settlers made their way to North America in 1000 AD. Today, it’s a Canadian National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors to the northern peninsula of Newfoundland each year.
Nearly as far north as roads will take you on the island of Newfoundland sits the first known location of European settlers coming to North America.
L’Anse aux Meadows is the site of a Viking colony from around the year 1000 AD. Today, this important historical place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a National Historic Site of Canada.
If you’re keen to learn about other National Historic Sites in Canada, like the Fundy Biosphere, Butchart Gardens, the Fortress of Louisbourg or Bell Homestead, then we have plenty of other stories to share with you here at We Explore Canada.
When I learned I was headed to Newfoundland & Labrador as a writer-in-residence for a month, I was excited at the prospect of visiting this famous site. I’ve heard podcasts and read a fair bit about it, and I love that L’Anse aux Meadows isn’t only significant to Canadian history, but it also represents how much of history is, in fact, a story.
For centuries it was believed that the European colonizers of the 1400’s were the first to come to the Americas, but visiting a site like L’Anse aux Meadows quickly reminds us how important it is to consider different viewpoints when faced with the facts of history. There is so much about our understanding of history that is wrong, and it’s always worth investigating it a little further when given the opportunity.
While the significance of its role in Canada’s history makes it well worth visiting, it’s also in a place with beautiful vistas of the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, making it a must-stop on a trip to the island’s north.
I was so grateful to have the opportunity to visit L’Anse aux Meadows during my time in Newfoundland & Labrador, and I hope that reading this will inspire you to do the same on your next trip.
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The History of this Canadian National Historic Site
L’Anse aux Meadows is the only authenticated Viking site in North America, representing the earliest known presence of Europeans on this continent.
This historical site is located on Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula, strategically situated near the entrance to the Strait of Belle Isle and within view of Labrador.
In the 11th century, under the leadership of Leif Eiriksson, a Norse expedition from Greenland resulted in a small but mighty settlement of less than 100 people living in turf-walled structures here at L’Anse aux Meadows.
The initial landing of the Vikings here marked the beginning of interactions between Europeans and Indigenous peoples in North America. In the north of Newfoundland specifically, this included the Innu, the Beothuk, and the Mi’kmaq peoples.
The Vikings journeyed through this area and named the region “Vinland”. They were on the hunt for hardwood and lumber resources, and went as far south as the east coast of New Brunswick, where they discovered wild grapes.
Despite their efforts, the Vinland colony became unsustainable considering how little they were able to work with on the land, leading to it being abandoned and its buildings being deliberately burned down when they left.
For centuries, tales of these Viking voyages were passed down through oral tradition until they were eventually recorded in the late 1200s in the Vinland Sagas. Speculation about the location of Vinland ranged from Labrador to North Carolina until 1960, when Norwegian writer and explorer Helge Ingstad investigated the site at L’Anse aux Meadows.
Initially thought to be an old Indigenous camp, Anne Stine Ingstad, Helge’s wife, led an archaeological excavation that uncovered 11th-century Norse buildings and a few Viking artifacts. This discovery confirmed the historical significance of the site, which was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1975.
Today, it stands as the only recognized and authenticated Viking site in North America, shedding light on early European presence on the continent.
How to Get to L’Anse aux Meadows
By Car
The most common way to get to L’Anse aux Meadows is to travel by car. It’s located on the western part of Newfoundland, but nearly as far north as you can go.
There’s only one way to get to this northern peninsula by car. From the west coast of Newfoundland, take Highway 430, also known as “The Viking Trail” north from Deer Lake. It’s about a four and a half hour drive from Deer Lake, and a three and a half hour drive from Gros Morne National Park in clear conditions.
Bear in mind that there are very few places to stop for gas or food past Norris Point en route, so make sure your tank is topped up and either bring some food or snacks with you, or be prepared to settle for the limited options that are open. The roads are relatively flat and clear, but they are rough in a few places, so take signs for bumps in the road seriously, and drive with caution.
By Air
If you are on more of a time crunch, a less common but still viable way to visit L’Anse aux Meadows is by plane. The closest airport is St. Anthony Airport, and you’ll still need to rent a car to access the area if you fly.
The distance from St. Anthony Airport to L’Anse aux Meadows is approximately one hour by car directly.
Accommodation Near L’Anse aux Meadows
L’Anse aux Meadows is a town that existed centuries ago, so there is little in the way of accommodations directly near the National Historic Site. The roads that reach the site are also relatively new, as this part of Newfoundland was accessible only by boat for centuries. That being said, there are a few in-land attractions and settlements to stay in on your way north.
St. Anthony is the largest town on Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula, and is the most convenient place to situate yourself during a visit to this part of Newfoundland. It’s a functional town, with several gas stations, and more major chains of grocery stores, banks and restaurants. It has scenic sections, but is a functional place to stay more than anything.
If quiet and quaint is more your pace, than staying in smaller communities like Raleigh or Saint Lunaire-Griquet might be a better fit for you. These towns have a limited number of gas stations and shops, with lesser planned opening hours, so make sure you do your research in advance, and be prepared to drive a distance for your next meal.
I’d highly recommend heading to Cafe Nymphe in Saint Lunaire-Griquet at some point during your trip to this area. They have delicious sandwiches, entrees and desserts to choose from, and they are famous for their homemade ice cream. I tried their Bake Apple, Wild Blueberry, Strawberry and Vanilla ice creams during my visit, and they were all fantastic.
There isn’t much in the way of accommodations in the northern peninsula of Newfoundland, so you’ll want to book ahead of your trip if you can. Most accommodations are self-serving cabins with BBQ’s to grill on for supper, if you don’t plan on heading out for dinner.
I’d recommend staying in the town of Raleigh, at Raleigh Rooms or Burnt Cape Cabins. I personally stayed at Raleigh Rooms, and felt their rooms were comfortable and clean.
Visiting L’Anse aux Meadows
Since this is a National Historic Site of Canada, you’ll need to head to the Visitor’s Centre at L’Anse aux Meadows first. It’s a short 15-minute drive from the nearby town of Saint Lunaire-Griquet. The site of L’Anse aux Meadows is large, so you’ll want to give yourself at least an hour for your visit, likely more.
Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre is home to displays of the Norse journey from Europe to North America on maps, a scale model of the site, and authentic artifacts that have been found since the site was excavated. It also has some samples of Old Norse literature and translated Vinland sagas, which are all about the journey and experience of the Vikings setting up their small village here in Newfoundland.
On top of being a remarkable site from an historical point of view, L’Anse Aux Meadows is a large area, spanning 80 kilometres of bogs, coastal views, forest and islands. It’s a beautiful location, and aside from its history you can see why the Norse decided to settle here.
Boardwalk Trail
Once you embark from the Visitor Centre, you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking, birds-eye view of the boardwalk trail over bogs and rivers that will take you to the legendary L’Anse Aux Meadows historic site.
As you take the Boardwalk Trail, you’ll pass through the Meeting of the Two Worlds sculpture, which was a collaboration between Newfoundland sculptor Luben Boykov and Swedish sculptor Richard Brixel. It acts as a gateway on your walk to the site, and a reminder of the history that makes up this place.
The scenic boardwalk will take you to both the actual archaeological site, which is where the footprint of the settlement homes was discovered, and then it will take you to the reconstructed sod huts, which is a vision of something like the settlement must have looked like.
Visiting the Archaeological Site and Reconstructed Settlement
Once you reach the Archaeological Site, you’ll find the footprint of what remains of three halls and five smaller buildings. The concaved foundations of these structures has been overgrown with grass, and it looks like little more than a grassy meadow. But once you recognize that this is where the original dwellings were situated, it’s incredible to think what it must have been like to settle here so many hundreds of years ago.
If you’re looking to understand the history of the archaeological site better, guided tours leave the Visitor Centre several times throughout the day.
After seeing the archaelogical site for yourself, continue taking the path to the Reconstructed Settlement, which is where you’ll find buildings meant to replicate what the original settlement would have looked like.
There are also a few Viking animators who will be waiting for you to help you understand exactly what it was like living in this rugged patch of the Atlantic in 1000 A.D. You can learn from their re-enactments both inside and outside of their sod huts, and learn about how to turn bog iron into nails or how their clothes were made at the time. There are also opportunities to dress up like a Viking. The re-enactments are done tastefully, and make visiting this significant site fun for visitors of all ages.
Short Hikes and Walks During Your Visit
On top of being a significant historic site, the grounds at L’Anse Aux Meadows offer beautiful scenic coastal trails that you can walk along during your visit.
The Birchy Nuddick Trail takes you along the coast and bogs further from the site, and offers stunning views of the ocean. If you take the full trail, it will bring you back to the Visitor’s Centre on a different loop than the way you came.
On your hike, you can look out for icebergs, sea birds and wild flowers, depending on the time of year. Seeing as Newfoundland and Scandinavia are both ripe with lore of fairies, keep an eye out for the fairy houses that adorn the stretches of the trail.
If you plan in advance, packing a picnic and enjoying it on this coastal hike would be such a nice way to end your time at this Parks Canada Agency site.
Other Things You Can Do After Visiting L’Anse Aux Meadows
Since L’Anse Aux Meadows is located on such a rugged stretch of land in the northwesterly corner of Newfoundland, the most noteworthy places to visit aren’t exactly close, but they are along the way.
If you’re visiting in the spring and early summer months, this area of Newfoundland is a notable part of Iceberg Alley. You can even use the Iceberg Finder website to attempt to anticipate which icebergs might be close to you on your trip to Newfoundland. Keep in mind that they move quickly, though, so if there isn’t an iceberg near you, chances are it will be gone by the time you attempt to chase it.
Aside from iceberg viewing and enjoying the nature in and around L’Anse Aux Meadows, other worthwhile places to check out if you find yourself on the western coast of Newfoundland are Gros Morne National Park, including Western Brook Pond, which is quite possibly Newfoundland and Labrador’s most famous natural site.
Another worthwhile trip is to take the Labrador Ferry from St. Barbe, NL to Blanc Sablon, QC. Just a short drive north from Blanc Sablon will take you up the Labrador Highway on the Labrador Coast, with beautiful stops like Point Amour, L’Anse Au Claire, Red Bay and eventually Battle Harbour via Mary’s Harbour.
This article was written in collaboration with Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
Bri Mitchell is a travel writer and content creator from Toronto, Ontario. She loves to highlight all things nature, food, wellness, history and adventures in her work. Bri writes and shares her travel experiences from across Canada and beyond on Instagram and TikTok @brimitchelltravels, and in her articles for travelingmitch.com, Ultimate Ontario, and here on We Explore Canada.
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