The Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Saint-Pierre, Miquelon, and Langlade
Words and Photography by Pete Heck
You know that feeling when you’re standing somewhere amazing, with not nearly enough time to explore, but you already know you have to come back?
That was me (with Dalene) on our first visit to Saint-Pierre, standing at the top of Le Trépied.
From up there we could see the town of Saint-Pierre, the islands of Langlade and Miquelon, and Grand Colombier, a small island thick with puffins and other seabirds. Gilles, our guide from Escapade Insulaire, told us there was a trail down to a beautiful viewpoint, but we simply didn’t have time that day. So the seed was planted, and I knew I’d be back.
Sure enough, I returned the following year, this time to actually do the hiking. Not just the one trail I’d been dreaming about, but as many as I could fit in: hidden coves, boardwalks over marshes, ponds everywhere you look, and viewpoints you’ll never see by just driving around.
Hiking in Saint-Pierre
For such a small island, Saint-Pierre’s trail network is anything but. It’s also a pleasure to enjoy; routes are well marked with signage and trail markers throughout. If you’re planning to do several hikes, pick up the Nature Guide: Discover 15 Hiking Trails in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon from the Tourism Saint-Pierre and Miquelon office – it’s a handy reference. I relied mostly on the AllTrails app (premium account), downloading maps in advance so I could hike offline. I still wandered off-track once or twice, but never for long.
None of these hikes are long; most can be done in a morning or as a sunset walk, but come prepared anyway. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray, dress in layers, and let someone know your route, since the weather here can turn quickly.
Anse à Henry
Distance: 4.8 km (loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 2 hours
I will NEVER forget this hike; it was one of the big highlights of my return trip.
I set out around 8 am in order to beat the afternoon heat, and the trail wound through gentle rocky terrain, past glassy ponds and boardwalks over the wetlands. It was a Saturday in mid-summer, and I didn’t see a single other hiker.
The silence broke suddenly at the crest of a hill: a wall of noise came from the nearby island of Grand Colombier, a major seabird breeding colony, including puffins. They were SO incredibly loud! The trail wound down through a fern forest towards Henry Point, with the island in clear view. I sat and ate breakfast there, watching the birds dart around endlessly. All I could think about was how lucky I was to have this whole scene to myself.
Trail Tip: Do the loop clockwise. It is more scenic and a bit easier.
Le Diamant
Distance: 3.5 km (loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 1.5 hours
Le Diamant is more of a walk than a hike, and it’s a locals’ favourite spot. I did this walk last year when I visited, but I was eager to do it again. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I wanted to stretch my legs, so this is where I went.
The walk sits on the southwestern tip of the island, five minutes from the town centre, and follows boardwalks along the rocky coastline. The west-facing views make for excellent sunsets, and I caught wild irises still in bloom. Aside from one other walker and some tied-up horses, the trail was mine alone to enjoy.
Vallée des 7 Étangs
Distance: 3.5 km (loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Dalene and I completed the “Valley of Seven Ponds” loop the previous year, weaving between ponds through Saint-Pierre’s rocky interior. After Gilles picked us up early, we had the trail mostly to ourselves. Partway through, he pointed out a detour up Le Trépied, an offshoot of the Cap au Diable trail, for a panoramic view of the island. We couldn’t say no, and that detour convinced me I had to come back and hike more of the islands.
L’Île aux Marins
Distance: 4 km (out and back)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 2 hours
A short boat ride from downtown Saint-Pierre, this tiny, history-rich island is worth the crossing. On an earlier trip, we took a walking tour and saw the church that is featured in the CBC series Saint-Pierre. This time, with more freedom to explore, I set off on foot after landing.
Head right for the north shore and a lighthouse; left takes you past locals’ cottages toward a rocky beach with a rusting shipwreck, a quiet reminder of how unforgiving these waters can be. From there, the trail gets harder to follow, but a short climb rewards you with views over the surrounding uninhabited islands. Back at the dock, reward yourself with a Les Pieds Rouges, an incredible local beer, while you wait for the return boat.
Trail tip: While it is enjoyable to walk the island on your own, the walking tour provides a lot of great context you wouldn’t otherwise have. Your guide will also give access to buildings that you couldn’t get into on your own! We used Eléa Guided Tours.
Anse à Dinand (with Anse à Pierre)
Distance: 2.1 km (loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 2 hours
I quickly learned that Anse means “cove”. Hiking the trail Anse à Dinand, or Dinand Cove, is a way to see the west side of the island.
This hike rewarded me with wonderful views of Langlade. And I also took a side quest to Pierre Cove, which was quite a descent but very worth it. I stood on the cliffs as a fishing boat puttered past, the crew probably wondering what I was doing out there alone. The climb back up is steep, but there’s a bench at the midpoint to catch your breath and take in the view.
Trail Tip: Take the loop counter-clockwise from the parking lot (it requires walking back along the road to the trailhead) – it’s more scenic, and it saves Pierre Bay for last. Note that the additional hike down to Pierre Cove adds approximately 1.5 km to the distance.
Hiking in Miquelon and Langlade
Trails here are less accessible than on Saint-Pierre, especially without a car. I brought my rental over on the ferry, which opened up every hike on my list, and I made the most of it while the weather held.
Le Cap de Miquelon (Miquelon)
Distance: 8.2 km (loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 4 hours
If you only do one hike on Miquelon, make it this one. “Le Cap” is often fogged in with near-zero visibility, so a guide is recommended. I hiked it with Gilles on a rare clear day. The full loop runs closer to 9 km, but skipping the road walk back to the trailhead trims it to about 8.
The payoff is dramatic: sheer cliffs dropping hundreds of metres to the sea, with the morning fog burning off to reveal the coastline. We stopped for fried capelin on bread with butter, a Miquelon classic, and it was the perfect way to close out a week of hiking.
Trail Tip: Walk the loop starting from the car park at the top of the hill and go counterclockwise. Follow the loop along the south edge of the cliffs before making your way to the dramatic cliffs on the north side. Be prepared to be in awe of the beauty. Like all hikes here, always check the weather before you go.
Belliveau (Miquelon)
Distance: 9 km (loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 3 hours
My first attempt at this trailhead was met with 70 km/h gusts, so I turned back and waited out a storm. By the following evening, the storm had passed, and I returned to the same trailhead just as the sun came out.
The trail hugs the Miquelon shoreline with views of the Cap in the distance. It’s a gorgeous walk, but be warned, the black flies can be vicious.
As I made my way along the path, a couple of seals frolicked in the sea, almost as if they were following me via the water. Each time looked up, they were there. Three kilometres in, another storm rolled in, and I had to hustle back to the car, leaving 6 of the 9 km for my next return trip.
Anse aux Soldats (Langlade)
Distance: 6.1 km (out and back)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 4 hours
Getting to Langlade is half the adventure; it’s a roughly 30 km drive from Miquelon village, including a stretch across an isthmus where the road turns to sand.
The trail starts at the end of the road and follows a boardwalk past summer cottages (look for the old blue phone booth, once the island’s main link to the outside world). From there it climbs steeply (a rope is available, though I didn’t need it) to Tête-Pêlée, with sweeping views back over Langlade and the isthmus. The trail then crosses a boggy valley, where the markers can be tricky to spot, before splitting toward Cap aux Morts (“Death Cape”) or Anse aux Soldats. I chose life, and skipped the ominous side quest.
The descent to Soldats Cove involves another roped section, with fog often clinging to the cliffs. I ate lunch alone on the rocky beach. As with most of these trails, even at peak summer, I didn’t see another soul.
Other Hikes for Another Time
A week isn’t enough to hike everything on Saint-Pierre, Miquelon, and Langlade, especially at the mercy of the weather. These are on the list for next time (hopefully with Dalene along):
Cap au Diable (Saint-Pierre)
Distance: 6.5 km (loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 3 hours
I completed portions of the Cap au Diable hike while hiking Anse au Henry, Vallée des 7 Étangs, and Anse au Dinand, but I never completed the full loop. It’s one of the longest trails on Saint-Pierre, sharing a trailhead with Anse à Henry and winding past a string of ponds.
Grand Barachois Isthme (Miquelon)
Distance: 6.1 km (out and back)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
A birdwatcher’s paradise through wetlands and fixed sand dunes, with sea and lagoon views from the top.
Cap Corbeau (Langlade)
Distance: 6.6 km (out and back)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 4 hours
A rugged trail best avoided on a foggy day, leading to a cross-topped summit with views over the isthmus and Miquelon.
Pointe-Plate (Langlade)
Distance: 16 km (out and back)
Difficulty: Difficult
Estimated Time: 6 hours
The longest hike on either island, ending at the Pointe Plate lighthouse, with a detour to the ruins of Ferme Couilette, a failed 1930s experimental farm. Watch for white-tailed deer along the way.
Planning Your Trip to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
Getting There and Around
Fly in from Halifax, Montreal, St. John’s, or Paris, or take the ferry from Fortune, Newfoundland. A car isn’t essential on Saint-Pierre but helps; on Miquelon and Langlade, it’s a must. A ferry runs a few times daily between Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
Where to Stay
In Saint-Pierre, it was my second time staying at the Auberge Quatre Temps. The incredibly friendly staff remembered me and made sure I was taken care of. I especially appreciated their nice breakfast.
If you’re looking for more of a luxury stay, book a room at Les Terrasses du Port (and be sure to visit the neighbouring Boulangerie Patisserie des Graves for a tasty treat).
On Miquelon, there are a few options for where to stay. This trip, I stayed at Loc’a’Miq, which has four cabins suitable for small families. It was nice having my own kitchen and a washer and dryer for my stinky hiking clothes.
Other options on Miquelon include Les Cabanes du Cap, cabins perched on top of the hill overlooking Miquelon, where guests can enjoy a sauna overlooking the sea. Auberge de l’Île is another comfortable option that we stayed at on Miquelon and we would recommend.
Looking for more info? Read our original post on things to do on Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, which also includes tips and suggestions that any traveller heading there should take note of.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
Is Saint-Pierre and Miquelon good for hiking?
Absolutely! Despite their small size, Saint-Pierre, Miquelon, and Langlade have a surprisingly large network of well-marked trails, ranging from easy coastal walks to more demanding cliff and moorland routes. Most hikes can be done in a morning or an evening, making them easy to fit around a short trip.
Do you need a guide to hike in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon?
Not for most trails, since they’re well signed and easy to follow with a map or an app like AllTrails. That said, a local guide (like Gilles at Escapade Insulaire) is worth it for trails that are harder to navigate or prone to sudden fog, such as Le Cap de Miquelon, and adds local history and context along the way.
What is the best hiking trail in Saint-Pierre?
Anse à Henry is a favourite for its mix of ponds, boardwalks, and a clifftop view over Grand Colombier’s seabird colony. For a longer outing, Cap au Diable covers similar terrain on a bigger loop.
What is the best hike on Miquelon?
Le Cap de Miquelon. It’s the most dramatic hike on either island, with towering sea cliffs, but it’s also the one most affected by fog, so check the weather and go with a guide if you can.
Do you need a car to hike in Miquelon and Langlade?
Yes. Trailheads on Miquelon and Langlade are spread out and not walkable from town, so a rental car (brought over on the inter-island ferry) is the easiest way to reach them.
When is the best time to hike in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon?
Summer (July and August) offers the most reliable weather, though conditions can still change quickly, with fog, wind, and rain rolling in with little warning. Bring layers and rain gear no matter when you go.
Can you see puffins while hiking in Saint-Pierre?
Yes, but you’ll need binoculars. Grand Colombier, visible from several trails including Anse à Henry, Le Trépied, and Cap au Diable, is a major seabird breeding colony that includes puffins, though the island itself is off-limits to visitors.
How do you get to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon?
By air, with flights from Halifax, Montreal, St. John’s, and Paris, or by ferry from Fortune, Newfoundland. A separate inter-island ferry connects Saint-Pierre to Miquelon a few times a day.
This post was produced by us; sponsored by Tourisme Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
