The best running trails in New Brunswick

The Seal Trail is a scenic coastal trail that follows the shoreline and offers beautiful views of the Bay of Fundy. It passes rocky beaches and lookout points where seals can often be seen resting offshore. The trail is well maintained making it an easy walk that pairs wildlife sightings with classic coastal scenery.

The Heron Trail is an easy, family-friendly trail that winds through forested areas and along salt marsh habitat, offering a peaceful walk close to nature. It features boardwalk sections and viewing areas where visitors can observe birds and coastal wildlife. The trail is well maintained and ideal for a relaxed stroll or a quick nature break within the park.

Irving Nature Park is a scenic coastal park located just outside Saint John, overlooking the Bay of Fundy. The park features a network of well-maintained walking trails that wind through forests, salt marshes, and along dramatic cliffs with sweeping ocean views. Visitors can also enjoy beaches and picnic areas, as well as opportunities to spot seabirds, seals, and occasionally whales offshore.

The Mackay Skyway is a trail that brings hikers and mountain bikers above the treetops of one of Canada’s oldest urban parks. Look down into rock formations, wetlands, and Acadian forest, all while being connected to nearby trails, making it an easy add-on to a longer hike or a quick jaunt up to a beautiful viewpoint. The grades are smooth on the ascent and descent, so it is excellent for families, photographers, and anyone looking for a pretty view.

Located within Rockwood Park, this lake is accessible via a number of trails. Its location and woodland setting give you a sense of the natural despite being in the city of Saint John.

A long, mostly level multi-use route that traces the quiet corridor of the Nashwaak River on Fredericton’s north side. The compacted-gravel surface makes it easy to walk, run, or cycle, and the trail moves between shaded woodland, open stretches, and short riverside clearings. Views of the Nashwaak appear steadily along the way, especially near bridge crossings and wider bends in the river. The trail takes its name from the Nashwaak River itself, derived from the Wolastoqey (Maliseet) word Nekawäk—often interpreted as “slow current” or “still water,” a fitting description of the calm, steady flow that defines this part of the valley.

Carnage Trail is a technical singletrack in Rockwood Park’s mountain-bike network, winding through tight forest with roots, rocks, and short punchy climbs typical of the park’s glacial terrain. The trail is narrow with uneven footing, making it better suited for experienced riders or hikers comfortable on rough ground. It links directly with other singletrack routes in the area, and its mix of twists, small drops, and exposed rock sections give it a more challenging feel than the park’s easier multi-use paths. Carnage works well as part of a longer loop for anyone looking for a more rugged section of Rockwood’s trail system.

A riverfront green space along the Saint John River, offering open views across the water toward downtown Fredericton. The park features a wide, level pathway suitable for walking, running, and cycling, with plenty of lawn area and benches along the shoreline.