Pippy Park (tel. 709/737-3655) is on the city's hilly western side adjacent to the university and contains 1,340 hectares (3,350 acres) of developed recreation land and quiet trails. The popular park is home to the city campground and Fluvarium , as well as miniature golf, picnic sites, and playgrounds.

For bike rentals, head downtown to Canary Cycles, 294 Water St. (tel. 877/4CANARY or 709/579-5972), where they offer several different types of bikes, with rates around C$30 (US$24) per day, C$10 (US$8) extra for lock and helmets.

The Grand Concourse (tel. 709/737-1077) is an ambitious project to link much of St. John's with pedestrian pathways. More than 123km (77 miles) have been completed to date, with more walkways being developed all the time;. two of the most inviting segments are the loop around Quidi Vidi Lake and the Rennie's River Trail running between Pippy Park and Quidi Vidi Lake. Bikes are not permitted on the trails. Ask at the information centers for trail status and map availability.

Another highly recommended hike is the North Head Trail, which runs from Signal Hill to an improbable cluster of small buildings between rock face and water called The Battery. You should be reasonably fit and unafraid of heights; allow about 2 hours, assuming departure and return from near the Hotel Newfoundland.

On foot, follow Duckworth Street between the hotel and Devon House, then bear right on Battery Road. Stay on the main branch (a few smaller branches may confuse you) as it narrows then rises and falls while skirting a rock face to the Outer Battery. The former fishermen's homes at the Battery are literally inches from the road and not much farther from the water, and most have drop-dead views of the Narrows and the city skyline. There's a whimsical, storybook character to the place, and the real estate is now much sought after by city residents.

At the end of the Battery you'll cross right over someone's front porch (it's okay), and then the North Head Trail begins in earnest. It runs along the Narrows, past old gun emplacements, up and down heroic sets of steps, and along some narrow ledges (chains are bolted to rock as handrails for a little extra security in one spot). The trail then ascends an open headland before looping back and starting the final ascent up Signal Hill. After some time exploring here and soaking up the view, you can walk on the paved road back down Signal Hill to Duckworth Street.