By Jeff 
Add New Brunswick to your list of hiking destinations, now! The Fundy Circuit takes you through and around the better part of Fundy National Park in New Brunswick, Canada. This 48km loop combines 7 linked hiking trails in Fundy over 3 to 5 days. It is windy, woody, and wonderful; a true taste of the East Coast and its juxtaposition of lush green forests, freshwater lakes, and salty Atlantic Ocean air. Our trip hiking the Fundy Circuit was full of laughter, and only a few moments of strife: thank you to my two crazy pals for tackling this one with me!
Where: Fundy National Park, New Brunswick, Canada
Closest City: Moncton or Saint John, New Brunswick (~1h drive)
When: Spring through Autumn (late April through October)
Length: 48km loop/total
Hiking Trip Base Cost: $10/day for Park Fees, $12/day for Backcountry Reservations, $10-infinity/day for food = ~$200 for a 5-day trip or ~$120 for a 3-day trip
Additional Variable Costs: any new hiking gear, a flight, accommodation off the trail, gas/a rental car to get to the trail, etc.
As always, remember to respect the Earth in your adventures. Here’s an honest approach with actionable steps you can take to be an awesome person who is helpful and responsible: How To Leave No Trace
The Fundy Circuit, NB Itinerary and Route
Note: this loop trip is not to be confused with the more challenging Fundy Footpath. The Fundy Footpath follows the coast, and its terminus is on the border of Fundy National Park. From what I’ve read and heard, the footpath is a more serious undertaking for experienced hikers.
Day 1: Park Office to Marven Lake via Coastal and Shiphaven Trails (18.5km)
From the Park Office, pop in to check in and give the rangers your itinerary. They will also help you with where to leave your car and lead you in the direction of the start of the Coastal Trail where you begin. It is also possible to do the loop in the opposite direction: in this case, you would start on the Upper Salmon River Trail. The Coastal Trail is incredible as it follows the Atlantic Coast and has great viewpoints along the way. No matter which direction you go, make sure to have excellent company and a song in their hearts!
Day 2: Marven Lake to Tracey Lake via Bennet Brook Trail (15km)
Today you’ll follow the Bennet Brook trail from your campsite to the Tracey Lake trail and spend the night on Tracey Lake.
This is a gorgeous spot – go for a swim to cool off, and in the early morning (or at dusk) keep an eye out for moose that may be in the water.
Day 3: Tracey Lake to Park Office via The Forks and Upper Salmon River (19.2km)
This is a long third day that can be broken up if need be. By my fault, this turned into a day much longer than anyone had anticipated. It’s times like these when you remember how important it is to have an appetite for adventure! There are a few river crossings today, with one significant one towards the very end of the day.
A cable runs across the river to help you keep your balance. A few scrambly sections are also outfitted with cables or ropes to help you along, but the challenge just adds to the fun of this long but exhilarating day! All said and done, however, the best part about any hike is not the views, but rather the friends who make each step lighter.
The Fundy Circuit Roses n Thorns
Rose (the best part)
To Hil and Meg – you made this trip everything it was! My two lifelong friends, neither of which had done a backpacking trip longer than one night, somehow let me convince them that this would be a lot of fun. Without their positivity and excellent company, there would have been no reason to do the hike. I was more than happy to make the fires and plan the trip in exchange for good conversation and memories we’ll share forever. It was more rewarding than is explicable to share with them my love for the outdoors and help make camping fun.
Thorn (the worst or most hilarious part)
Big Bertha. Big Bertha was a monster! Huge! Ginormous! Unbalanced and uncomfortable, Meg’s backpack was named Big Bertha early in the hike. Hil’s pack, Kelly’s, and mine – was it Max’s, or was it, Travis’ss? – held up beautifully and carried our belongings in style and comfort. Bertha, however, was Meg’s nemesis. Tall, wobbly, and the wrong size for Meg, it was a battle they would fight to the end. Victorious and proud, Meg would conquer not only the Fundy Circuit but Bertha’s wrath as well. To avoid a Bertha experience for your feet, make sure you check out this post on How to Prevent Blisters While Hiking – it will help both your feet and your happiness level!
Bud (the new friend)
There were no new friends on this trip: only old friends and new memories, and that was more than enough.
Gear and Food List
Gear
The Fundy Circuit is a proper backpacking route that requires a cook set and sleeping kit. See my Gear for the Trail list for a decent list.
Food
Here are some ideas: Food on the Trail. In general, my days look like this…
Breakfast: hot oats on short days, cold granola with milk powder on long days
Lunch: snacks throughout the day including pepperoni sticks, tortillas, a LOT of peanut butter, granola bars, GORP, and dried fruit
Dinner: prepared dehydrated meals when I’m feeling fancy, or deluxe instant noodles/Sidekicks when I’m not
ALTERNATIVE: If hiking and sleeping in tents isn’t quite your thing, check out this post on a great alternative: Camping in a Parks Canada Otentik Tent. These are tent/cabin hybrids and are a great halfway point!
Make it Happen
- Understand the route and pick a time of year you want to go. Parks Canada has a great overview of the trail: The Fundy Circuit
- Choose your route/itinerary, and where you will stay each night so you can reserve your campsites in Fundy National Park: Parks Canada Backcountry Reservations
- Once that is locked in, book your flights and/or transportation to the park
- If flying, fly into Fredericton (YFC) and rent a car from the airport to drive to Fundy.
- If you’ll be in the park for 7 days or more, it will be cheaper to buy a Discovery Pass than pay daily park fees: Parks Canada Discovery Pass
- The fun begins! Plan your meals, get your gear in order, and start walking to work and taking the stairs to make your trip as fun as possible
- Get outside and do the thing
For a list of the Top Hiking Trails in Canada, check out this post from another Torontonian. Or, if you’re on the East Coast in the States, this coastal walk (the Ocean Path Trail) in Acadia National Park looks beyond awesome! Ocean views and rocky scrambles, and all in a day’s adventure.