Signal Hill National Historic Site, St. John's Newfoundland

The road to Signal Hill is steep up 

Signal Hill National Historic Site is a landmark in St. John's overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the harbour entrance known as 'the Narrows'. 

The Narrows - entrance to St. John's harbour

The Narrows are the deep, narrow channel of water that serves as the only natural sea entrance from the Atlantic ocean into St. John's harbour. It's a tight opening that is only 800 meters long by 500 meters wide, which forces ships to squeeze closely past the rocky shores to enter the safety of the inner port. For centuries, it acted as a vital military choke point guarded by shore batteries and cannons against enemy ships and pirates. 

St. John's harbour

Cabot Tower

Used to protect St. John's harbour from the 1640's through World War II, British and French forces fought here multiple times. Signalmen watched for approaching ships from 1704 to 1958, using flags and cannons to inform the town. 

Cabot Tower was built between 1897 and 1900, which is a castle-like tower that marks the site's summit and honours John Cabot. 

Musket Firing demonstration

I walk down to the 'Queen's Battery' to get close up to the historic cannons and barracks. This battery is a group of cannons placed to prevent unwanted ships from entering St. John's harbour. The views of the Narrows and St. John's are amazing. 

Canons above St. John's harbour

Old cannons at Queens Battery

View of Cuckolds Cove as we head down

We hike down the 'North Head Trail' that descends steeply from the Cabot Tower, along the edge of the Narrows. The trail is a combination of steps and chains and steep drop offs. 

The other side of the Narrows is the 'Fort Amherst' Lighthouse.

Fort Amherst Lighthouse 

North Head Trail

The tiny rock you can see sticking out of the water in the upper left of the picture is called 'Chain Rock'. It sits at the harbours narrowest entrance point and it was used to string a chain across the water to block the entrance. 

Iconic Parks Canada chairs

The Battery Neighbourhood

Soon after Chain Rock we come to the colourful homes of 'The Battery Neighbourhood', which are over 100 years old and cling to steep, exposed cliffs. 

Ode to the Isles

Mural in the Battery Neighbourhood

We catch an Uber back up to the top of Signal Hill as we have hiked down a long way and it's starting to rain quite hard.