Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Fundy Footpath, Canada. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- New Brunswick, Canada
- Country
- Canada
- Biome
- Acadian coastal (0–200 m)
- Best season
- May – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Sea Kayaking
- Beachcombing
- Canoeing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Acadian coastal (0–200 m)
- Best season: May – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Fundy Footpath
Topic summary
A 41-km rugged coast trail along the Bay of Fundy — big tides and steep river gorges.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – October
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Acadian coastal (0–200 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Fundy Footpath trip tools
How to get there
The stated starting point is Big Salmon River at the Fundy Trail Parkway in Saint Martins Parish, New Brunswick. The other end is at Fundy National Park. Confirm exact access arrangements at both ends and organize transport for the end-to-end hike.
- Big Salmon River — Fundy Trail Parkway
The stated starting point of the Fundy Footpath, in Saint Martins Parish, New Brunswick.
- Fundy National Park
The other endpoint of the 41-kilometre Footpath and its connection with the separate Fundy Trail. Confirm the exact arrival and pickup location before departure.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Fundy Footpath
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Fishing
Resident gamefish, seasons, and the water that holds them.
- Sea Kayaking
Coastal crossings, tides, and protected camps.
- Beachcombing
Tide-line walking between camps.
- Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
Animals around Fundy Footpath
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Fundy FootpathAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Fundy Footpath
Planning to fish Fundy Footpath, New Brunswick? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in New Brunswick are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Fundy Footpath?
- A New Brunswick fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current New Brunswick fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Fundy Footpath
Thinking about hunting Fundy Footpath, New Brunswick? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in New Brunswick are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Fundy Footpath?
- Confirm the land around Fundy Footpath is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in New Brunswick?
- A New Brunswick hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
A 41-kilometre hike between Big Salmon River and Fundy National Park
The Fundy Footpath runs for 41 kilometres (25 miles) in New Brunswick, linking Big Salmon River at the Fundy Trail Parkway with Fundy National Park. Big Salmon River lies in Saint Martins Parish and is the stated starting point of the trail. This is a challenging, multi-day hiking route, with four days given as a typical hiking experience rather than a guaranteed schedule. The main planning distinction is between the Footpath itself and the trails it connects with: reaching Fundy National Park completes the stated 41-kilometre route, while continuing onto the connected Fundy Trail adds a separate undertaking. Keep those trail names and endpoints clear when arranging access, choosing maps, and deciding how much walking to include.
Plan around the challenge, not just the distance
A four-day description puts the Fundy Footpath firmly in multi-day trip territory. Its stated length is useful for judging the overall commitment, but it does not establish equal daily stages or tell hikers where to stop. Build a schedule around the group's ability and confirm the practical details before departure rather than dividing the distance into fixed daily targets. A challenging hike calls for a manageable pack, reliable navigation, enough food, and clothing suited to changing outdoor conditions. Arrange how to reach one endpoint and leave the other before committing to the full route. For a longer journey, treat the connection at Fundy National Park as an additional planning task, not simply an automatic extension of the Footpath.
A volunteer-built route with onward connections
The Fundy Footpath's earliest route was blazed by Jack McKay in the early 1980s, then fell into disuse. Alonzo and Gilles Leger, together with many other volunteers, reestablished it through the late 1980s and early 1990s. The trail officially opened in 1994 under the management of the Fundy Hiking Trail Association Inc. That history makes volunteer work central to the route's development, rather than a minor part of its story. The Footpath also belongs to a wider hiking connection: at Fundy National Park it meets the 33-kilometre (21-mile) Fundy Trail, which in turn connects to the Dobson Trail. These links offer scope for a longer itinerary, but the Footpath remains a distinct 41-kilometre route with its own endpoints.
Route options
- Fundy Footpath end to end41 kilometres (25 miles)Challenging
Hike between Big Salmon River at the Fundy Trail Parkway and Fundy National Park. Described as a challenging four-day hiking experience; adjust the schedule to the group's ability.
- Fundy Trail connection33 kilometres (21 miles)
The separate Fundy Trail connects with the Footpath at Fundy National Park and in turn connects to the Dobson Trail. Plan this as an onward route rather than part of the Footpath's stated distance.
Sample itineraries
- Four-day Fundy Footpath traverse · 4 days
Plan four days for the challenging 41-kilometre Fundy Footpath, starting at Big Salmon River on the Fundy Trail Parkway in Saint Martins Parish and finishing at Fundy National Park. Confirm overnight arrangements and endpoint transportation before setting out.
- Four-day traverse with a connection check · 4 days
Walk the Fundy Footpath from Big Salmon River to Fundy National Park over four days. At the planning stage, investigate its connection to the separate 33-kilometre Fundy Trail, which connects onward to the Dobson Trail. Treat any extension as a separate itinerary requiring additional time and route information.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Confirm suitable hiking dates locally.
Check current trail conditions and access before committing to a four-day trip. Do not assume the full route is ready for travel simply because spring has arrived.
Summer
Confirm suitable hiking dates locally.
Check the forecast and drinking-water options before departure. The 41-kilometre route remains a challenging multiday undertaking; season alone does not determine how manageable it will be.
Fall
Confirm suitable hiking dates locally.
Check daylight hours, forecast temperatures and current access. Match daily walking plans to available daylight rather than assuming equal distances will take equal time.
Winter
Confirm suitability and access locally.
Do not assume the usual four-day hiking plan applies in winter. Seek current advice on route suitability, access and equipment before deciding whether to attempt the trail.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Confirm suitable hiking dates locally. | Check current trail conditions and access before committing to a four-day trip. Do not assume the full route is ready for travel simply because spring has arrived. |
| Summer | Confirm suitable hiking dates locally. | Check the forecast and drinking-water options before departure. The 41-kilometre route remains a challenging multiday undertaking; season alone does not determine how manageable it will be. |
| Fall | Confirm suitable hiking dates locally. | Check daylight hours, forecast temperatures and current access. Match daily walking plans to available daylight rather than assuming equal distances will take equal time. |
| Winter | Confirm suitability and access locally. | Do not assume the usual four-day hiking plan applies in winter. Seek current advice on route suitability, access and equipment before deciding whether to attempt the trail. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm permit requirements, overnight arrangements and current access with the managing agency before departure.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Fatigue and overambitious pacing: the Fundy Footpath is described as a challenging four-day hike.
- Weather exposure during a multiday trip: check forecasts and carry protection appropriate to expected conditions.
- Insufficient drinking water: verify water options and carry treatment rather than assuming dependable supplies along the route.
- Route-planning confusion: the 41-kilometre Fundy Footpath and the connecting 33-kilometre Fundy Trail are separate trails.
What to pack for Fundy Footpath
- Current route map and navigation tools
- Written itinerary shared with a trusted contact
- Confirmed access and overnight information
- Food for four days plus a contingency supply
- Water containers and water treatment
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp and spare power
- Rain protection and insulating layers
- Footwear suited to challenging hiking
- Shelter and sleep system matched to expected conditions and confirmed overnight arrangements
Fundy Footpath FAQ
- Where is the Fundy Footpath?
- It is in New Brunswick, Canada, running from Big Salmon River on the Fundy Trail Parkway in Saint Martins Parish to Fundy National Park.
- How long is the trail?
- The Fundy Footpath is 41 kilometres, or 25 miles, long.
- How many days should be planned?
- Four days is the stated duration for this challenging hike. Set daily goals around fitness, conditions and confirmed overnight arrangements rather than distance alone.
- Is the Fundy Footpath the same as the Fundy Trail?
- No. The Fundy Footpath connects to the separate 33-kilometre Fundy Trail at Fundy National Park. That trail connects onward to the Dobson Trail.
- What needs checking before departure?
- Confirm current access, permit requirements, overnight arrangements, water options and transportation at both endpoints. Obtain current route information before assigning daily stages.