The Trail officially began in 1994 "when a group of hiking enthusiasts started the construction of a coastal trail" that would make use of existing traditional trails that linked local communities along the coast of the Avalon Peninsula. By the end of 1994, the volunteers had constructed the first 25 km of the trail, north and south of St. John's. The following year the East Coat Trail Association was incorporated and it was subsequently was registered as a charity. By 1996, the Trail had grown to 125 km and had reached and restored "The Spout", a natural geyser and major attraction at the centre of the Trail. The initial plan "was to build and maintain" a long distance coastal footpath from Topsail Beach to Trepassey and in 1997 the Association obtained funds from the Federal Government to develop this 220 km trail.