The East Coast Trail (ECT) is a long-distance coastal footpath located in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a developed trail over long, creation of which began in 1994. It is made up of 25 linked wilderness paths and passes through more than 30 communities. It was named one of the best adventure destinations by National Geographic in 2012 and is extended and improved yearly. Maintained by the East Coast Trail Association and located primarily on public lands, the trail follows the east coast of Newfoundland along the Atlantic Ocean. The path passes through many small coastal outports (villages) in the bays of the Avalon Peninsula. The trail runs from Topsail Beach, north to Cape St. Francis, then south through St. John's, and continues south as far as Cappahayden. It is intended that the trail will eventually be extended to Trepassey in the south and across to Placentia in the west (from Ferryland). The trail also passes several National historic sites, including Signal Hill, St. John's, Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America (ignoring Greenland), and Ferryland, the site of the 17th-century Colony of Avalon. It also passes through La Manche and Chance Cove Provincial Parks. There are seasonal views of icebergs, birds, whales, other marine and plant life, and eight historic lighthouses along the path. The individual sections of the trail range in hiking time from a few hours to a full day; there are some designated camping spots along the trail, though most walkers use local accommodation. History The Trail officially began in 1994 "when a group of hiking enthusiasts started the construction of a coastal trail" that would make use of existing traditional trails that linked local communities along the coast of the Avalon Peninsula. By the end of 1994, the volunteers had constructed the first 25 km of the trail, north and south of St. John's. The following year the East Coast Trail Association was incorporated and it was subsequently registered as a charity. By 1996, the Trail had grown to 125 km and had reached and restored "The Spout", a natural geyser and major attraction at the centre of the Trail. The initial plan "was to build and maintain" a long distance coastal footpath from Topsail Beach to Trepassey and in 1997 the Association obtained funds from the Federal Government to develop this 220 km trail. In September 2001, 212 km