Expedition 51° - Trans-Labrador Highway
The Trans-Labrador Highway, a remote and legendary route, cuts through one of Canada’s most isolated and untamed landscapes. Stretching over 1,100 kilometres (700 miles), it links Baie-Comeau, Quebec, to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. Driving this route in our Ineos Grenadier was a journey into solitude, beauty, and the fascinating history of the region.
Mild weather made the drive manageable, and the Grenadier’s reliability ensured we felt secure on this long, rugged stretch. With vast forests, winding rivers, and rolling hills, the highway showcased Labrador’s natural grandeur. Along the way, the only other travellers we encountered were heavy trucks servicing the mining industry, a testament to the region’s economic heartbeat.
A Rio Tinto IOC ultra class in Labrador
A highlight of our trip was an over night stay at the Manicouagan Reservoir, also known as the ‘Eye of Quebec’. It is a natural formation resulting from a meteorite impact approximately 214 million years ago during the Late Triassic period. The impact created a crater about 100 kilometres (62 miles) in diameter, which has since eroded to a visible diameter of approximately 72 kilometres (45 miles). In the 1960s, the construction of the Daniel-Johnson Dam on the Manicouagan River led to the creation of the current reservoir, enhancing the visibility of this unique geological structure.
The Eye of Quebec
The Trans-Labrador Highway isn’t just a road; it’s an adventure into the heart of Canada’s wilderness, where natural and human history intertwine. The drive left us in awe of this vast, rugged, and resilient land, etched in our memories as one of our most remarkable overland experiences.
