New Brunswick Scenic Drives

• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada.
New Brunswick, known as the gateway to Atlantic Canada, is one of Canada's most historic, picturesque and untouched provinces. From its woodlands and mountains to its coastal shores and rivers, New Brunswick offers diverse scenic drives, which take the visitor off the beaten path and deep into the heart of the province. Many of these routes can be easily driven in a day but there is such an array of sights to be discovered, it is recommended that travellers take their time; it would be a shame to miss a thing.

RIVER VALLEY SCENIC DRIVE

The River Valley Scenic Drive stretches from Edmundston in the northwest region of New Brunswick, passes through the centrally located capital city of Fredericton, moves south to the largest city of Saint John and returns inland to the festival town of Sussex. This scenic drive is aptly named as it follows the mighty St. John River and passes through a host of sights along the way, including rolling hills and farmland, a multitude of small ferry ports and covered bridges. In addition to the endless number of attractions and activities available along this drive, it is here where visitors can uncover the mysteries of the St. John River at the Reversing and Grand Falls, and drive along the world's largest covered bridge. Or spend some time exploring the history of New Brunswick and take in a festival or two along the way.

The River Valley Scenic Drive is roughly 466 km (289 mi) from tip-to-tip, a trip that can be easily travelled in approximately six hours by car and seven hours by motorcoach. However, in order to take in all the sights this stretch of road has to offer, a leisurely pace is recommended. There are several accommodation options along this scenic drive, from historic bed and breakfasts to charming inns to large hotels.


Along the Way
The first major centre on the River Valley Scenic Drive is Edmundston, known as Gateway City due to its close proximity to both the province of Quebec and the US state of Maine. Visit the Fortin du P'tit Sault Blockhouse, a British military fort, and the Madawaska Historical Museum, which both offer insight into the Edmundston area's historical past, including the Aroostook War, a battle over the boundary line between the USA and Canada.

Approximately 53 km (33 mi) south of Edmundston is the town of Grand Falls, and with it, the Grand Falls Gorge and Waterfalls, known as the largest waterfalls east of Niagara. They are located directly in the downtown core and provide a breathtaking natural backdrop for the small town. The gorge stretches over 1.5 km (1 mi) and boasts cliff walls up to 70 m (230 ft) high. Take a guided tour of the falls by pontoon or on foot and learn how the gorge was slowly carved out over millions of years by the cascading waters of the St. John River.

Following the river south, the traveller will encounter many small covered bridges along the way. However, one covered bridge near the small town of Hartland is sure to stand out. Measuring over 391 m (1,282 ft) in length, the Hartland Covered Bridge was erected in 1901 and stretches across the St. John River. This is the longest covered bridge in the world.

South of the Hartland Covered Bridge is the largest city in New Brunswick, Saint John. Not only is it a city filled with cultural charm and a multitude of attractions, it is home to the famous Reversing Falls, a series of rapids located on the St. John River. This reversal of current is due to a narrow portion of the St. John River emptying into the Bay of Fundy. Because the tidal waters of the Bay of Fundy are the highest in the world, the sudden rise of tide causes the current to reverse itself. The Reversing Falls have become a popular tourist spot and are viewable from the observation deck or up close in a jet boat.

If one is lucky enough to drive through Sussex in September, it is almost impossible to miss dozens of hot-air balloons in the sky. This is the Atlantic Balloon Festival, the largest of its kind in Atlantic Canada. Over 30,000 people flock to Sussex each year to take part in the festivities, which also include a craft fair, car show, local cuisine and musical performances.

FUNDY COASTAL DRIVE

The Fundy Coastal Drive follows the Bay of Fundy along the south coast of New Brunswick. Beginning in the town of St. Stephen, the route follows Highway 1 along the coast through Saint John to St. Martins. From there, the drive winds inland to Sussex, back down to the coast through Fundy National Park to Alma and past the famous Hopewell Rocks. Moving inland to Moncton and through Dieppe, it continues along the coast once again, ending in the town of Sackville. This portion of the coastline boasts many scenic coves, lighthouses and beaches.

The Fundy Coastal Drive measures approximately 391 km (243 mi), a trip that can be travelled in five hours by car and six hours by motorcoach. However, the many attractions along the way will warrant many unplanned stops, overnight stays and jaunts from place-to-place. Along this scenic route, the whale-watching is second to none, the golfing world-class, the accommodations inviting and the views magnificent.

Along the Way
The first town in the Fundy Coastal Drive presents a treat for all ages. St. Stephen is affectionately known as Canada's Chocolate Town as it was once the home of the Ganong brothers, who started the famous Ganong Chocolates in the early 19th century. It is in this very town that the first Valentine's Day heart-shaped box and the pink cinnamon chicken bone were invented. St. Stephen is home to an official Ganong Chocolatier, the Chocolate Museum and the annual week-long Chocolate Festival.

A mere 29 km (18 mi) down the road from St. Stephen is St. Andrews-By-The-Sea, Canada's oldest seaside resort town. While St. Andrews has it all when it comes to charming accommodations, ocean activities, shopping, dining, and the famous Kingsbrae Garden, it is perhaps best known as the home of the world-class Fairmont Algonquin Golf Resort.

Journeying down the Fundy Coastal Drive, several islands can be spotted on the Bay of Fundy. If there is a desire to get off the mainland and visit one of these islands, now is the chance. Approximately 30 km (18.6 mi) from St. Andrews is the town of Blacks Harbour, home to the only ferry crossing to Grand Manan Island, the largest island in the Bay of Fundy. With its miles of shoreline, high cliffs and abundance of wildlife, it is a naturalist's dream and the perfect location to whale or bird watch, hike or bike along cliff trails or visit sights such as the Swallowtail Lighthouse, the oldest active lighthouse on the island.

Past Saint John lies another seaside coastal town, Alma. Here, one can take in Fundy National Park, one of two national parks in New Brunswick, which encompass some of the last remaining wilderness in southern New Brunswick.

Continuing north approximately 80 km (50 mi) from Alma, past the famous Hopewell Rocks, brings the traveller to the city of Moncton. Home to a multitude of attractions ranging from parks to museums to festivals to golf courses, Magnetic Hill remains one of its top attractions. It is here that a natural phenomenon has been taking place for the last 100 years, best experienced from a motor vehicle. On this strange stretch of road, vehicles put into neutral appear to coast up the hill by themselves.

ACADIAN COASTAL DRIVE

The Acadian Coastal Drive follows the entire east coast of New Brunswick from Sackville in the south to Dalhousie in the north, passing through famed Chaleur Bay. There is much Acadian culture along this route, as well as vast ocean scenery of the Atlantic and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Here, visitors will pass Cape Jourimain, the site of Confederation Bridge, which links New Brunswick with Prince Edward Island, and parks such as Parlee Beach Provincial Park and Kouchibouguac National Park.

The Acadian Coastal Drive measures approximately 477 km (295 mi), a six-hour drive by car and a seven-hour trip by motorcoach. However, the rich Acadian culture, beaches, cuisine, shopping and accommodations that are available along this route will entice any traveller to stretch out this Atlantic adventure.

Along the Way
Located approximately 120 km (75 mi) from Sackville, the first town on the Acadian Coastal Drive is the town of Shediac. Not only is it known as the lobster capital of the world, it is home to the World's Largest Lobster and Parlee Beach Provincial Park. The pristine Parlee Beach boasts the warmest waters north of the Carolinas, attracting over a million visitors annually, making Shediac the Summer Capital of New Brunswick.

Following the Acadian Coastal Drive north will bring the traveller to the town of Bouctouche and with it, Le Pays de la Sagouine, a top New Brunswick attraction. Located on Flea Island, accessible from Bouctouche by footbridge, the island is a veritable haven of Acadian culture, complete with music, culture, food and theatre.

At the midway point of the Acadian Coastal Drive lies Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick's second national park, measuring approximately 238 km˛ (92 mi˛). The park was created in 1971 to protect the 25 km (16 mi) of fragile sand dunes, salt marshes, tidal rivers, lagoons, barrier islands and other natural wonders of the area. Its geological diversity makes it home to a wide range of trees, plants and wildlife, including endangered species such as the piping plover.

After leaving Kouchibouguac National Park, the Acadian Coastal Drive continues past the city of Miramichi up to the north-easternmost tip of New Brunswick. It is here one will find the town of Caraquet and, with it, the Village Historique Acadien, an award-wining attraction that preserves Acadian life through the years 1770 to 1939.

Next, one will come upon the city of Bathurst, surrounded by scenic Chaleur Bay. Named by Jacques Cartier and regarded as one of the top bays by The Most Beautiful Bays of the World Club, Chaleur Bay separates New Brunswick from Quebec and is known as a scenic paradise. The bay measures 140 km (87 mi) long and 25-40 km (16-25 mi) wide to provide long stretches of beaches and coastline.

MIRAMICHI RIVER ROUTE

The shortest of the scenic drives, the Miramichi River Route is located inland, stretching from the city of Miramichi to Fredericton, following the Miramichi River along the way. Here, a wealth of history is shared, starting with the Mi'kmaq Indians, who lived along this route, to the woodsmen, who carved their way into the immense forest lands. Today, the Miramichi River continues to be a world-class salmon fishing destination and there are many tour companies and fishing lodges that can provide an unforgettable experience.

The Miramichi River Route is a mere 185 km (115 mi) from tip-to-tip and can be travelled in a few short hours or stretched out for days. There is no shortage of accommodation options, cultural experiences or lazy days by the river.

Along the Way
One of the first stops on the Miramichi River Route is the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre, located 5 km (3 mi) outside the city. It is the oldest operating salmon fishery in Atlantic Canada, established in 1873. Because the Miramichi River is one of the most famous Atlantic King Salmon fishing destinations, this facility is responsible for stocking the river and maintaining its salmon levels for safety and conservation purposes. The centre offers educational tours and historical information on this important Canadian resource.

As travellers follow the Miramichi River down Highway 8, they will encounter the town of Boiestown, a hub for the logging and lumber industry in New Brunswick and an appropriate location for the Central New Brunswick Woodmen's Museum. The museum is a 6-ha (15 acre) area dedicated to depicting the life of the pioneers and woodsmen who once lived along the Miramichi River.

At the end of the Miramichi River Route lies the province's capital city of Fredericton. There are many attractions and sights in Fredericton, but one attraction that cannot be missed is the Historic Garrison District. Designated as a National and Provincial Historic Site, the Historic Garrison District consists of a two-block area in downtown Fredericton directly alongside the St. John River. Once the stationed site for British troops and colonial civilization, it is now known as the heart of Fredericton with a mix of historic buildings and modern culture.

APPALACHIAN RANGE ROUTE

The Appalachian Range Route of New Brunswick is an extension of the Appalachian Mountains, which stretch for almost 3,200 km (1,990 mi) from Newfoundland and Labrador to northern Alabama. This scenic drive commences in Charlo, located at the most northerly tip of New Brunswick, and travels inland down to the town of Perth-Andover on the eastern coast, where it joins the River Valley Scenic Drive. This area is rich in terrain, with mighty peaks and river-flooded valleys, and is known as a preserved and untouched portion of the Appalachian Trail.

Measuring 252 km (160 mi), the drive takes approximately four to five hours by car and six to seven hours by motorcoach due to the vertical terrain. This scenic drive has something for everyone: the coastal waters of Chaleur Bay, parks with a multitude of outdoor activity options, shopping and much more.

Along the Way
Located just outside Campbellton, the largest city on the Appalachian Range Route, Sugarloaf Provincial Park is home to Sugarloaf Mountain, the second largest mountain in the province, measuring 305 m (1,000 ft). There are several trails to the summit, which capture views of Campbellton, Chaleur Bay and even as far as Québec's Gaspé Peninsula. The famous Terry Fox Trail, which measures 4 km (2.5 mi), winds around the base of the mountain. Other features of this provincial park include a campground and a range of outdoor activities such as biking, tennis and wildlife watching. In winter, Sugarloaf Mountain serves as a downhill ski hill.

Mount Carleton Provincial Park is the second and largest provincial park on the Appalachian Range Route, measuring more than 17,000 ha (42,000 acres) of wilderness, mountainous terrain and rare flora and fauna. It is home to the highest peak in the Maritimes, the majestic Mount Carleton, which reaches heights of over 820 m (2,690 ft). The mountainous terrain makes for challenging hiking and mountain biking. The three lakes and two rivers in the park also allow for a multitude of activities including fishing, canoeing and swimming.

As the last stop on the Appalachian Range Route, the Farmers' Market in Perth-Andover will allow a weary traveller to relax and stock up on food and souvenirs after a long journey. Make sure to plan it right: the market is only open Saturday mornings during summer, but is not to be missed.
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