Hiking the Fundy Footpath: A Wild Journey along New Brunswick's Rugged Coastline

Discover One of Canada's Most Demanding and Rewarding Wilderness Footpaths

Four Unforgettable Days of Outdoor Adventure, Remote Camping, and Coastal Beauty in New Brunswick, Canada

Hiking the Fundy Footpath is a wild journey along New Brunswick's rugged coastline. If you are craving an adventure that will test your endurance, get the adrenaline pumping, and reward you in ways few other trails do, then the Fundy Footpath in New Brunswick, Canada may be a perfect fit. This isn't a casual stroll in the woods. It is Atlantic Canada at its rawest and most beautiful, offering steep climbs, tidal river crossings, mossy forests, epic waterfalls, and panoramic views over the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world. We hiked the Fundy Footpath as part of our 14,000 km trek on the Trans Canada Trail, and it stood out to us not just as one of the toughest footpaths we tackled, but also as a true wilderness experience. There are reasons it ranked among the 50 best hikes in the world and made it onto our list of top trails in Atlantic Canada.  Ready to explore?  

The climb speaks to our character, but the view, I think, to our souls

by Lori Lansens

What Is Hiking the Fundy Footpath?

The Fundy Footpath is a 41 km (25.5 mi) wilderness hiking trail that stretches from Goose River, on the border of Fundy National Park to the Fundy Trail Provincial Park Interpretive Center at Big Salmon River near St. Martin's, NB. Amazingly, it traverses the longest undeveloped stretch of coastline on the eastern seaboard, ascending and descending steep ravines, skirting dramatic cliffs, and weaving through dense Acadian forest. While not long, this footpath is seriously demanding, with constant ups and downs amounting to 2,501 m (8,205 ft) of elevation change. As a result, hikers must navigate slippery slopes, scramble over rocks, tackle wooden step ladders, skirt the edge of 300 m drops, and make numerous river crossings, three of which must be timed with the tides. For most people, the trail takes 3-5 days to complete.  Not for the feint of heart, this is a true wilderness adventure!

Wilderness Camping along New Brunswick's Fundy Footpath

Wilderness camping is part of the experience when hiking the Fundy Footpath and experiencing a wild journey along New Brunswick's rugged coastline. Fortunately, designated backcountry campsites are scattered approximately every 2-6 km along the trail. In particular, these rustic sites offer flat spots to pitch your tent, pit toilets, bear boxes for secure food storage, and if you're lucky, a small supply of firewood. In addition, most official campsites are near a source of fresh water, which should always be filtered or boiled before use. During our four day hike, we mostly chose wooded sites which were sheltered from the inclement weather, but the trail offers spectacular camping along the beaches as well.  Reservations are not required for backcountry sites along the trail. However, if you camp at the Point Wolfe Campground, which is located at the beginning of the Goose River Trail in Fundy National Park, you will need a reservation. So, where did we choose to camp along the way? We'll break our day-to-day itinerary down for you.

Day 1: Point Wolfe Campground to Primrose Campsite

Our first day of hiking the Fundy Footpath began with rain hammering the roof of our tent and an owl hooting in the darkness. We had spent the night at the Point Wolfe Campground in Fundy National Park, and our adventure was about to begin with 12.7 km of hiking on the Goose River Trail to reach the beginning of the famous Fundy Footpath.  Excitingly, the Goose River Trail led us through misty, moss-covered coniferous forests and past tidal estuaries, where interpretive signs reminded us just how fragile even our most familiar wildlife can be. We paused to watch Peregrine Falcons zipping through the air above the cliffs, and the calls of Red-breasted Nuthatches accompanied us as we followed the rugged, winding trail. When we crossed Goose River, reaching the official 0 km marker for the Fundy Footpath we were greeted with a leg-burning ascent that tested our resolve and had us questioning the weight of our heavy packs. Luckily, the trail soon mellowed, revealing a breathtaking forest lit with golden ferns and glowing birches, and we were rewarded with our first view of Martin's Head from high atop the cliffs. Finally, by 3:30 PM, we arrived at Primrose Campsite—a magical mossy glade beside a brook that felt straight out of a Tolkien novel. We ended the day with a well-earned meal and the call of a Great Horned Owl echoing through the trees. One day in, and we were already enchanted by what lay ahead, if a little daunted as well.

Day 2: Primrose Campsite to Quiddy River Campsite

Our second day of hiking the Fundy Footpath began crisp and clear, with golden morning light filtering through the canopy of the Acadian forest. After packing up, we descended a series of switchbacks to the stunning Rose Brook Campsite and Azore Beach, where we chatted with trail maintenance volunteers before tackling a brutally steep ascent that had us clinging to tree roots. Luckily, from there the trail offered gentler ups and downs through quiet spruce forests. A highlight was Goose Creek Valley, where the sun lit up the ridges above us and we crossed the icy estuary under the watchful eye of a soaring Bald Eagle. Subsequently, the climb out led to sweeping coastal views, dizzying cliff side paths barely a boot wide, and another steep descent into Martin Head, a windswept area crisscrossed with ATV tracks. During the course of the day, we relied on several different hiking apps to monitor our progress and make sure we didn't get lost.  Exhausted but determined, we pushed through one last grueling climb and descent to Quiddy River, where we crossed its frigid waters and set up camp on a sandy beach, grateful for rest and already in awe of the wild Fundy landscape. Our second day on the Fundy Footpath had been gruelling but incredibly beautiful!

Day 3: Quiddy River Campsite to Little Salmon River Campsite

Day three of hiking the Fundy Footpath greeted us with chilly, overcast skies and a harsh reminder that camping on sand may be romantic, but sand in your gear is anything but. We started with a brutal climb out of Quiddy River, some of it on our hands and knees, which set the tone for a day packed with steep ascents and adrenaline-rush inducing cliff side paths. Thankfully, the forest offered moments of calm—magical stretches of mossy coniferous trees, crystal-clear brooks, and a spectacular beach waterfall at Telegraph Brook where vibrant, geologically fascinating rocks stole the show. It made for an excellent opportunity to use some of our favourite Citizen Science apps to learn something new! Afterwards, the trail continued to challenge us with narrow ledges, precarious reroutes, and jaw-dropping views over the Bay of Fundy—beautiful if you weren't too afraid to look down! We crossed Wolfe Brook and were treated to a delicate veil-like waterfall, but the adrenaline returned with each heart-pounding step along cliff ledges and new reroutes that felt barely finished. Finally, after narrowly avoiding a few falls, both literal and emotional, we finally descended the longest drop of the trail into Little Salmon River. Exhausted, sore, but feeling very much alive, we collapsed at the large riverside campsite, deeply thankful the day was over and we'd survived intact.  This final day convinced us that this was one of the toughest sections of our hike on the Trans Canada Trail so far!

Day 4: Little Salmon River to Big Salmon River

Day four of our hike on the Fundy Footpath began in the pre-dawn dark, with wind whispering through the trees and an overcast sky above. After wading through the icy waters of Little Salmon River, we were rewarded with one of the gentler climbs of the trail so far and a pleasant stretch of walking through lush mossy forests and quiet brooks. As a result, our spirits were high as we descended into Cradle Brook and admired the dramatic cliffs and crashing waves. Curiously, it reminded us of the spectacular beaches along the East Coast Trail, another of our top picks for Best Hikes in Atlantic Canada.  This was followed by five back-to-back cable-assisted ladders that took us up a nearly vertical 300m ascent, followed by two ladders more on the descent, testing our strength and patience. At Seely Beach, battered by wind and facing the threat of rain, we debated whether to stop or press on. Perhaps unwisely, we chose to keep going. What followed was a deceptively tough stretch to Big Salmon River, filled with rooty climbs, boulder scrambles, and a final cable ladder. By the time we reached camp, we were utterly spent. It would be one last night in the peace and solitude of the Acadian forest before completing the final 2.7 km of trail and crossing the suspension bridge to reach the Fundy Trail Provincial Park Interpretive Center in the morning.

Tips and Advice for Hiking the Fundy Footpath

Don't Underestimate the Trail. The Fundy Footpath is remote, physically demanding, and often technical. If you have never done a multi-day hike in the backcountry, I would recommend staring with an easier trail, such as Newfoundland's East Coast Trail or Nova Scotia's Celtic Shores Coastal Trail.

Why You Should Hike the Fundy Footpath

So why take on something so remote and demanding when there are easier trails out there? Simple. Because it's worth it. The Fundy Footpath delivers a rare kind of adventure. It strips away the distractions of modern life, and replaces them with real challenge, profound silence, genuine wonder, and awe at the beauty and power of nature. You won't forget the sight of whale surfacing off the coast, the sound of an owl calling in the night, the smell of the forest after it rains, or the feeling of pride and accomplishment that comes with doing some truly hard, and loving every minute of it. You hike the Fundy Footpath for the connection - to nature, to yourself, and to something deeper.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking to step outside your comfort zone and dive into one of Canada's most unforgettable hikes, the Fundy Footpath is calling your name. It's challenging, yes—but also deeply rewarding. You'll come back tired, probably sore, but with stories, memories, a feeling of being alive, and maybe even a little more confidence in your own grit.

Photo Credits: Sean Morton

A Four Day Adventure Hiking the Fundy Footpath

A Wild Journey Along New Brunswick Canada's Fundy Footpath