NB Hiking Trails Offer Breathtaking Scenery with Rare Birds and Plants.
A network of 2,000km worth of hiking trails are now under construction in New Brunswick with over 50% of the trails encompassing abandoned railroad tracks. Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter the trails of New Brunswick are worth experiencing any time of the year. As you can see, they are especially beautiful after a light snow fall.
The Trans Canada Trail, formerly known as The National Trail, is a multi-use trail that enters New Brunswick on the northwestern side near Edmundston and follows the Saint John River through Grand Falls, Hartland, and Fredericton and continues all the way to the The City of Saint John. From there it will follow the shore of the Bay of Fundy to the City of Moncton and cross the Nova Scotia border near Sackville.
Near the town of Woodstock, the Maliseet Trail, a mere 1.7 km hike, takes you to a spectacular 20-meter waterfall called Hayes Falls. The hike is fairly easy although it is a constant but gentle uphill slope. Our entire family was able to hike it when the kids were both well under 10 years old. There are a few side roads off the main drag but I suggest you don’t take a side road until you can actually hear the falls itself. That way you know you are close. There are paths to take you to the top of the falls and to the bottom of the falls and both have spectacular views. St. Andrews New Brunswick has many easy trails with some difficult sections. The trail starts at Katy’s cove and continues past the famous Algonquin Hotel toward Historic Ministers Island. At low-tide walk across the Ocean floor to Ministers Island and take a guided tour of the mansion of Sir William Van Horne the famous builder of the CP Railway. At high tide water covers the road. Be sure to check the tide schedule before you go. On Campobello Island discover hiking trails around Roosevelt Park and at Herring Cove Provincial Park. Roosevelt Park Trails are for the most part fairly short but lead you to beautiful views of cliffs and ledges along moss covered rocks and logs. While there, check out the former U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt’s summer home, the main attraction on the Island. A trip to Herring Cove Provincial Park while on the Island is another must. This 425-hectare Provincial Park has a mile long sandy beach and six different trail systems some of which intertwine with the Roosevelt International Park. Discover a wide diversity of migrating songbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, beavers, and marine wildlife frolicking in the surrounding waters. On Grand Manan Island, a short ferry ride from the mainland, there are approximately 70 km of hiking trails. Grand Manan Island is an outdoor enthusiast dream. The hiking trails and back roads lead to remote scenic cliffs on the West side, interior ponds and lakes and between villages in the interior, and along coastal beaches on the East side. The Irving Nature Park, just a short drive from the City of Saint John, is a park owned and operated by J.D. Irving Limited. Admission is free along with the map you get when you enter the park. This 600-acre nature park has numerous trails, beaches, and lookouts to explore along with bar-b-q areas for public use.
Hopewell Rocks Tidal Exploration Site not only has the highest tides in the World, it has a network of trails with interpretation panels explaining the rock formations and mudflats and their significance. It is a relatively short walk mostly downhill to the top of the 100 step stairwell that leads you to the Ocean floor. After exploring the ocean floor for a couple of hours you might want to consider catching the shuttle service back to the Interpretive Center. It is only a few dollars.
The Dobson Trail is a 37-mile section of the National Trail that runs from Riverview New Brunswick to Fundy National Park through the wilderness of beautiful Albert County (my home county). Huge Pine trees and untouched rivers and streams along with abundant birding and wildlife sightings are the norm on this trail. The first 3 kilometers of the trail is wheelchair accessible and is also equipped with a guide wire for the visually impaired. The entire 37-mile trail can be hiked in 3 days. The trail is a four-season trail with snowshoers and skiers in the winter months. Free parking for the Dobson Trail on the Riverview side is located at a parking lot on the Pine Glen Road near where it intersects with the Coverdale Road in Riverview. Fundy National Park and Kouchibouguac National Park are two very different National parks located in New Brunswick. Fundy offers 100km of trails ranging from easy to very difficult and half kilometer to a 50-kilometer circuit around the Park. Fundy’s hidden treasures are found in a 45-km network of 7 linked trails. The trip takes 3-5 days to complete and encompasses two wilderness campgrounds for your convenience. Kouchibouguac National Park has approximately 40 km of trails most of which are easy to intermediate. Each trail has a uniqueness to explore from birds and wildlife to sand dunes, marshes and bogs. One of the trails takes you through white pine forest, while others take you to beaches and unique ecological zones. For the backpacking enthusiast there is a great trail called the Kouchibouguac River Trail. With a permit you can stay at one of the 4 camping sites along the way. New Brunswick’s National Parks offer extensive hiking trails but Provincial Parks such as New River Beach, Mactaquac and Sugarloaf also offer beautiful trails each with their own uniqueness due to their locations. Cape Jourimain Nature Centre on the New Brunswick side of the Confederation Bridge is an attraction all its own. The entire building is “eco-friendly” like you have never seen before. There is a fee to the Nature Centre if you want to explore past the gift shop and Information Centre. There are 11km worth of trails with great views of the Confederation Bridge. There is also a look out tower and it is the best place to get a picture of the bridge and a peak at the osprey nest near by. Binoculars are available from the friendly staff...all you have to do is ask.
The Appalachian Trail runs from Perth-Andover New Brunswick to Mount Carleton Provincial Park and across to Kedgewick and then north to Quebec. It is a hiking-only trail. Mount Carleton, the highest peak in the Maritimes, is a good day-hike and the parks accessible isolation is what attracts people to it. The park has many hiking trails for hikers of all agility levels. Other outdoor activities common in this park include canoeing, mountain biking, camping, and nature observation. Unfortunately the park is now closed in the Winter months. Autumn is a great time for a hike just about anywhere in the province since our fall colors are amazingly beautiful!
From late October to Late November please remember to wear "hunter orange" since it is New Brunswick’s hunting season.
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The Fundy Footpath also known as The Fundy Trail in St. Martins offers amazing coastal views with 11 km of trails for hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing or driving. Incredible views from observation decks and lookouts that are wheelchair friendly with picnic sites along the way make this destination a great place for everyone. The family pet is also welcome as long as they are on leashes.
