Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Geological formation · Woody Point, Newfoundland and Labrador
Tablelands
Orange rock plateau of the Earth’s mantle, almost without vegetation, near Woody Point, with a flat trail of about 4 km round trip through a valley.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Tablelands
The Tablelands are a peridotite plateau, a rock that forms in the Earth’s mantle beneath the crust. Hundreds of millions of years ago, plate collisions pushed a piece of ocean floor and mantle up onto the continent. The rock is poor in nutrients and rich in heavy metals, so almost nothing grows on it.
The result is an unusual landscape for the region: mountains and valleys with orange outer surfaces and gray‑green interiors, beside hills covered in forest. The Tablelands trail is about 4 km round trip, flat, and runs through a valley to a rocky amphitheater, with carnivorous plants and rare flowers that adapted to the soil.
In summer, Parks Canada guides lead walks that explain the geology. There is no shade or water: bring a hat and water. The park charges an entrance fee; check the current rates.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One and a half to two hours.
Best time
From June to September, in the morning, before the sun heats the rock. Ask at the Discovery Centre about guided walks.
How to get there
On Route 431, about 5 km from Woody Point heading toward Trout River, with parking.
Tip
Take the Parks Canada guided walk: the explanation of the rock changes how you see the landscape.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Tablelands
Why don’t the Tablelands have vegetation?
Mantle rock is poor in nutrients and rich in metals, and almost no plants can grow on it.
Is the Tablelands trail difficult?
No, it is flat, about 4 km round trip.
Are there guided walks in the Tablelands?
Yes, in summer, with Parks Canada guides. Check days and times with the park.