Stepping off the edge

Stepping off the edge of the world at Torbay Point. Taken on a relatively clear day as the sun was dipping. You can see the stairs in the foreground as well as the path far out on the head. It’s a lot further than it looks.

Just south of Torbay is the community of Outer Cove. Following Marine Drive will take you to a quiet little road called “Doran’s Lane”, at the end of which is the trail to Torbay Point and The Cobbler.

This may be one of my favourite spots in the area of Torbay. It’s about a two-kilometer trip out to the point and back, so it’s one that can be done when you’re short on time.

And nowhere else in this area have I ever felt so completely and utterly isolated and vulnerable.

As you walk further and further out, you follow a narrow, winding path that drops you down over rocks and cuts through soil that is nothing but peat moss (this means it’s slippery). The East Coast Trail Association has done amazing work on the path and made it much safer, but there is still the sensation that the only thing between you and the rocks and ocean below is a good sense of balance.

Walking out to the point in the mists. A spooky sensation, since the path appeared and vanished with every footfall. I watched it swallow a couple of tourists.

You can also backtrack, after visiting the point, and proceed along the main trail heading south toward Red Cliff. The Cobbler Path is magnificent and rather a good workout, with hundreds of steps taking you up over several headlands and dropping you down into the ensuing coves.

The path to The Cobbler. You can see the trail winding up over the cliff.

It’s on my list to do again sometime soon, when I don’t have a sick child at home.  As you go, you could check out the numerous geocaches in the area!