Torngat Mountains National Park is a protected wilderness park in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It covers 2,396,900 acres (970,000 hectares) of land at the northern tip of Labrador. The Labrador Sea lies directly east of the park, and Quebec is immediately to the west. The government of Canada originally established Torngat as a park reserve in 2005, with the consent of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and of Inuit people from Labrador. A park reserve is land set aside for a park pending settlement of native land claims. The reserve became a park in 2008. The name Torngat comes from an Inuit word meaning place of spirits. Inuit from Labrador and northern Quebec have a strong spiritual connection with the region.
The Torngat Mountains extend from northwest to southeast through the park. They date back nearly 4 billion years and contain some of the oldest rock in the world. They also include some of the highest peaks in North America. Narrow inlets with cliff walls extend from the Labrador Sea into the mountains. Valleys and small lakes carved by glaciers are common. More than 40 small glaciers exist in the park.
The climate of northern Labrador is highly changeable. The region can experience winter conditions even during the summertime. Strong winds and the nearness of the ocean influence the climate throughout the park. The land in the park supports ferns, grasses and sedges, lichens, mosses, wildflowers, and various shrubs. Aside from some dwarf spruces near the Quebec border, there are few trees. Park wildlife includes Arctic hares, black and polar bears, caribou, foxes, lemmings, seals, voles, whales, and wolves. The area also serves as a breeding ground for dozens of bird species, including peregrine falcons, harlequin ducks, and Barrow’s goldeneyes.
Hundreds of archaeological sites have been discovered in the park. Some of them date back thousands of years and contain clues about native peoples who once lived in the region. More recent sites include the remains of European missions and trading posts. Today, the Inuit people hunt, fish, and travel in the park, but there are no permanent human inhabitants.
There are no established campgrounds, trails, or other facilities or services in Torngat Mountains National Park. Activities for people experienced in outdoor survival include backpacking, camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing, kayaking, mountain climbing, and skiing. Visitors also may participate in guided expeditions or tours. The park has an administrative center in the community of Nain.
