There is nothing better than the silence of the forest after a snowfall. New Brunswick is home to many wonderful hiking trails that turn into a fantastic winter wonderland for snowshoeing and winter hiking.
Many of the trails are easily accessible, whereas others will take some amount of hiking to reach the trail. This winter, spend some time with family and friends, checking out the 25 places listed below.
Dobson Trail
Go for a relaxing winter hike on this beautiful 58 km ‘hiking-only trail’ that starts in the Town of Riverview and goes all the way to Fundy National Park. It is also the perfect trail to go snowshoeing on, especially if you really want to be challenged this winter because of its different types of terrain.
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Starts at Pine Glen Road, Riverview
Mount Carleton
If you are a winter hiking or snowshoeing fanatic, then Mount Carleton Provincial Park is a great place to go. There are 11 beautifully groomed trails in the park for you to explore. If you don’t have your own equipment, the Friends of Mount Carleton have snowshoes that you can use free of charge for the day.
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Sussex Bluffs Trail
The Sussex Bluffs Trail is a 3.5 km out-and-back trail that is primarily a hiking trail that allows pets. It is a good trail for all skill levels and has a gorgeous view from the look-off at the trail’s end. Just keep in mind that caution is required on this trail since it follows the ridge and can be slippery at times.
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17 Rockridge Dr, Sussex Corner
Parlee Brook Amphitheatre Trail
If you want to snowshoe or hike a moderate, lightly trafficked trail to see a spectacular view, spend a day on the 6.6 km Parlee Brook Amphitheatre Trail. The trail has a gorgeous view of a lake that has a few beaver homes/dams, and a valley with a giant ice wall. Rember to wear sturdy boots (with ice cleats, if possible).
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Mapleton Park
One of the best places to go hiking and snowshoeing in Moncton is on the trails in Mapleton Park that go from Mapleton Road to Gorge Road. In winter, there are some easy trails that are groomed and sanded for winter walking, while other moderate trails are left natural for snowshoeing. The park has interpretive signage that details the park’s ecosystem, including the wildlife and vegetation.
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Nepisguit Mi’gmaq Trail
If a difficult hike is what you like, then the 147 km Nepisguit Mi’gmaq Trail is just the trail for you. It is the longest through hiking trail on the East Coast and follows the mighty Nepisiguit River from the mountains to the sea. This challenging trail is made up of the Mountain, River Valley, and River Delta zones. Each zone offers hikers a different level of hiking experience.
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Daly Point Nature Reserve, Bathurst
Midland Ice Caves Trail
The Midland Ice Caves Trail is a moderate 4.5 km trail on private property that is used for hiking and snowshoeing in the winter. The view from the top of the caves is absolutely fantastic, and when you get to the bottom you will see how amazingly beautiful the cave is. When you go into the cave you will be amazed at how magical it is because it is lit up by the ice sheet. Leave no trace and respect the property.
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Caribou Plain Trail
If you just want to go for a short winter hike or snowshoe trek, you should head to the Caribou Plain Trail in the Fundy National Park. This 2.4 km looped trail is the perfect place to see wildlife and the interesting habitats that exist within Fundy National Park.
This trail is good for hikers and snowshoers of all skill levels.
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Irishtown Nature Park
Spend a fun family day hiking or snowshoeing at Irishtown Nature Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in Canada. This beautiful park has separate trails for hiking, walking, and cycling that are cleared year-round. It also has footpaths of diverse terrain that are used by hikers in the summer and by snowshoers in the winter.
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Sugarloaf Park
Go snowshoeing with your friends on one of Sugarloaf Park’s dedicated snowshoeing or winter hiking trails. This scenic park contains more than 25 km (16 mi.) of hiking trails that can be challenging depending on the weather. Sugarloaf Park has on-site snowshoe rentals if you don’t have your own.
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596 rue Val-d’Amour Rd, Atholville
Ganong Nature Park
Spend a day exploring some of the marked trails in the majestic 350-acre Ganong Nature Park, which is located 9.5kms from the town of St. Stephen. The park is open year-round and is free for public use, but donations to help maintain the Park are greatly appreciated.
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350 Todd’s Point Road, St. Stephen
Fall Brook Falls Trail
Go for a winter hike to see the magnificent frozen waterfall at Fall Brook Falls. It is a popular 2.4 km trail that is used for hiking and walking in the summer and is good for all skill levels. This trail is on private property and there is a gate where visitors must pay a $10 fee per person to use the trail.
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Riverfront Trail
Take the family for an exhilarating winter hike along the scenic Riverfront Trail. This 5.2km trail winds along the spectacular Petitcodiac River where the tidal bore can be seen twice daily. Along this trail, you will see a beautiful lighthouse, a large gazebo, a covered bridge, picnic tables, and a playground at the Riverfront Park.
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Winter Wonderland Park
Winter Wonderland Park is a fantastic place to spend time going on winter hikes with your family on the pathway that connects the park to the Dobson Trail. Snowshoe treks are also a fun way to spend time getting around the park with your friends.
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Simpson Hill Wilderness Trail Network
If you want to go snowshoeing or winter hiking to take in the wonders of nature, the Simpson Hill Wilderness Trail Network is the perfect place to go. The views of the St. Croix River from the Table Top are absolutely breathtaking. This trail network is the perfect place to take your dog friendly for a walk as long as they are leashed.
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Walton Glen Gorge
If you are looking for a challenge with spectacular views this winter, head to Walton Glen Gorge trail. Hike the steep trail into the upper Gorge, and pass the Eye of the Needle and Little Salmon River. If you hike to the end of the trail, you may be rewarded with a fantastic view of the Walton Glen Falls frozen over.
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UNB Woodlot Trails
Popular with cross-country skiers the UNB Woodlot trails are groomed for skiing and snow skating. You can snowshoe next to the groomed trails. The trails run along the UNB Woodlot and Kingswood Golf Course.
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Kouchibouguac National Park
Enjoy a day of winter hiking and exploring Kouchibouguac National Park with the family. Challenge yourself to experience the over 30 km of trails around the park. If you get cold, you can warm up at one of the several warming shelters along the way.
If you feel adventurous, you can head off the trails and explore the unmarked territory.
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Mactaquac Provincial Park
Try snowshoeing with your friends at Mactaquac Provincial Park this winter. The Friends of Mactaquac offer complimentary snowshoes on a first-come, first-served basis. There are a number of snowshoeing trails throughout the park. There is also a winter walking trail starting at the park’s main gate to Campground 1.
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Odell Park
Grab your snowshoes and get ready for an exciting adventure day in one of Canada’s Best Old-Growth Forests. The park is home to trees that are over 400 years old. During the winter, some of the 16km trails in the park are used for snowshoeing and walking.
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Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserve
If you want spend a fantastic day snowshoeing or winter hiking at a place with trails that are good for every skill level, then the 800 acre Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserve is the perfect place to go. The trails on the preserve also have rocky outcrops, ravines, cliffs, and waterfalls that you can explore.
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200 Red Bridge Rd, Red Bridge
Caughey-Taylor Nature Preserve
The Caughey-Taylor Nature Preserve has 9.6kms of hiking trails that are the perfect place to go winter hiking and snowshoeing with your friends this winter. These moderate trails highlight the best of Charlotte County’s beautifully diverse landscapes that include ponds, mixed Acadian forest, and rocky bluffs.
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Killarney Lake Park
If you are feeling adventurous this winter, head to Killarney Lake Park and go winter hiking or snowshoeing on the 20 km of groomed trails in the park. There is also a scenic 2.5km trail that goes around the lake, which is perfect for people who prefer a short winter stroll or to walk their dogs.
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1653 St. Mary’s Street, Fredericton
Atlas Park
Go for a winter hike on the trails at Atlas Park. There are 6 short trails for you to choose from and the 600m Hummingbird trail is used to gain access to most of the other trails in the park. All the trails in the park are easy to traverse and have wonderful views of the lake.
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145 Rue de la Gare, Pointe-Verte
Fundy National Park
Get ready for an exhilarating winter adventure at Fundy National Park. Explore the lovely winter landscapes and try to stop to see the wildlife that calls the park home. You can keep the snow fun going by camping in the park.
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