For more information on Trails, see Exploring Our Trails.
Orienteering New Brunswick is a non-profit organization which organizes orienteering events open to the public with courses for all levels of navigation and physical abilities. There’s a fee for events, but no annual membership fee. facebook.com/orienteeringnb, www.orienteeringnb.ca.
The Fundy Hiking Trail Association is a non-profit group of volunteers who maintain the Dobson Trail and Fundy Footpath. All trail maintenance, development and promotion is done through the work of volunteers. If you enjoy the outdoors and want to donate some of your time or expertise to improve these wonderful trails, the group would love to have you join the team. Membership fees: Individual $10; Family $20. fundyhikingtrails.com. If you’re interested in participating as a trail crew volunteer, monitoring a 3-km section of the Dobson Trail or Fundy Footpath, or making a donation, contact [email protected]. Get trip planning advice from facebook.com/groups/126868350785046.
Outdoor Enthusiasts! Club of Moncton is a non-profit organization which actively promotes outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and bicycling. Activities for club members are planned four months in advance and are led by members who are familiar with the trails. The club's activities are generally day-trips on weekends, but the club also organizes a summer week-long camping and hiking trip, as well as overnight camping and backpacking trips. Hikes are generally up to 10-15 km in length and are classified as easy, moderate or strenuous. Biking, skiing and snowshoe events vary in length. Most hikes include an opportunity to socialize afterwards with a meal near the event. Club members support the hiking community by maintaining trails, including a 7-km section of the Dobson Trail and 10-km section of the Fundy Footpath. In addition, club members attend and speak at wellness events and showcases. Membership: Family $30/year; Individual $25/year.
monctonoutdoorenthusiasts.wordpress.com, facebook.com/groups/536333633118519.
The Saint John Outdoor Enthusiasts Club is a year-round recreational club. It was formed in 1988 when a small group of individuals interested in the outdoors wanted to share their interests with others. The friendly, sociable group enjoy hiking, canoeing, kayaking, cycling, backpacking, skiing, skating, snowshoeing, camping and exploring the natural beauty of the whole province, mainly within the Bay of Fundy area of southern New Brunswick. Events range from easy to challenging, depending on location, terrain and weather conditions. Membership: Individual $10; Family $15. sjoe.ca, facebook.com/SaintJohnOutdoorEnthusiasts.
River Striders' Walking Club. Walk indoors at the Coverdale Centre (main gym) on Runnymede Drive in Riverview, year-round, or on the Riverfront Trail/Mill Creek Park in Riverview from April to October.*
Urban Poling/Nordic Walking Moncton. Walk, Nordic walk or snowshoe Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30pm at various locations. See postings at facebook.com/groups/349549568869145.*
Steps with Seniors/Arthritis Riverview is a low-activity group to allow people with arthritis to move with ease; 6-week/12-session workshops are held once or twice a year.*
Women (and Young Women) of the Wilderness is for those who want to learn more, and enjoy outdoor adventure outings with other women, check out the Women of the Wilderness group for women ages 20+ (facebook.com/groups/285639275383013), and Little Women of the Wilderness for girls ages 11-15 (facebook.com/groups/415283182407266).*
Adventure Hub allows you to connect to all things ‘adventure’ in the Maritimes and particularly Albert County, NB, through facebook.com/groups/349495152052744.
Maritime Detours organizes fee-based group hiking tours of the Maritimes and particularly Albert County, NB. facebook.com/MaritimeDetours.*
*For details, contact Dr. Sarah Lord, Founder & Guide, Maritime Detours Hiking & Snowshoeing Tours, and Urban Poling (Nordic Walking) Master Trainer & Ambassador for New Brunswick. Sarah is also the Health & Wellness Coordinator for Jean Coutu Pharmacy in Riverview. 506-378-0135.
Elgin Eco Association (EEA) is committed to promoting the viability of the small rural community of Elgin by promoting environmentally-friendly practices in eco-tourism, recreation, employment and other ventures, as well as working to protect and improve the environment. For more information, please call Moranda at 506-756-2518. http://eeanb.com
Friends of Fundy is a community non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing public awareness and enjoyment of the natural and cultural heritage of Fundy National Park (FNP) and surrounding communities.
As the official ‘Friends’ of Fundy National Park, the organization strives to enhance visitor experiences that contribute to the region’s conservation and community economic development goals. It operates two gift shop locations in Fundy National Park and boast one of New Brunswick's largest nature book offerings.
The Friends of Fundy work closely with partners to support annual events in Fundy National Park (Rising Tide Festival, Fundy All Nations Pow-Wow, Fundy Salmon Recovery, Sounds of Summer Concert Series, Fundy Circuit ULTRA), as well as local community events (Alma Celebration Days and Alma Fleet Launch Festival). This community organization also operates the Molly Kool Heritage Centre and hosts, in cooperation with Fundy National Park, family-friendly kitchen parties full of songs, stories and dancing. Friends of Fundy received the Albert County Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award for Albert County Community Ambassador of the Year 2020, and in 2019 received an ECO 360 Community Sustainability Award.
The NEW annual membership costs are: Individual: $25; Family: $40; Corporate: $150. Membership includes: 10% discount on all purchases at Outpost East and Outpost West Gift Shops; one free Day Pass to FNP (invite a friend to experience this beautiful place!); the opportunity to be the first to know about Friends of Fundy events; bi-annual newsletter; invitation to the annual Friends of Fundy hike and BBQ; a locally designed cotton tote bag featuring Friends of Fundy partnerships; and opportunities to support FNP and volunteer with events sponsored by Friends of Fundy. Follow Friends of Fundy (facebook.com/FundyFriends). An online shop is opening soon!
Fundy Biosphere is a community-based initiative comprised of individuals and representatives of various stakeholder groups, organizations and local communities working to promote the sustainable development of the region by enhancing the research and innovation capacity and by creating a forum for various groups to share information, knowledge and best practices. The Bay of Fundy and its adjacent landscapes form a unique region in its geological formations, terrestrial and marine ecosystems and cultural heritage, as well as its variety of rural communities and urban areas. In the UNESCO-designated Fundy Biosphere Reserve, communities are working together to achieve a greater level of sustainability, while conserving the area’s natural heritage. Learn about Amazing Places, trails and more at www.fundy-biosphere.ca.
Nature NB is a non-profit, charitable organization. Its mission is to celebrate, conserve and protect New Brunswick’s natural heritage through education, networking and collaboration. It supports a community of nature clubs across the province which meet regularly to discover and learn about nature together. Discover countless opportunities to learn about New Brunswick nature while helping to nurture a strong network of individuals interested in protecting our unique natural heritage. Local clubs include Nature Moncton (Contact: Roger Leblanc, www.naturemoncton.com) and Nature Sussex (Contact: Gart Bishop, www.naturesussex.ca).
Trail websites and Apps
Hiking NB. This website highlights the many amazing hiking trails in the province. Check out the Fundy East page, which shows the trails in Albert County. Follow on social media to get information about these trails and be inspired by pictures, videos and a podcast from the trails. www.hikingnb.ca/Trails/FundyEast, facebook.com/HikingNb, instagram.com/hikingnb.
All Trails. The website/app supplies first-hand experience, hand-curated trail maps and driving directions, as well as detailed reviews, reports and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers. alltrails.com.
Trail Forks. Trailforks is an international trail database (website and app) map and management system for users, builders and associations. Choose your activity and region for maps, trail elevations, lengths, conditions and more. Note the trails in White Rock Recreation Area, Elgin area and Fundy National Park. www.trailforks.com. Other apps worth exploring include Gaia GPS app, Mapme and iNaturalist.
Fundy Circuit ULTRA The Fundy Circuit ULTRA is a race like no other. Presented by Outdoor Elements, the eco-friendly, 50-km trail circuit is found within the protected boundaries of Fundy National Park. The ULTRA trail loops along the Bay of Fundy coastline, through the Caledonia Highlands, and Acadian Forest; past waterfalls, rivers and lakes. The Fundy Circuit Ultra is organized by the Friends of Fundy, a registered charity which creates opportunities for people to connect with nature and supports sustainable community development initiatives throughout the Fundy region.
Purpose Of The Fundy Circuit ULTRA: Promote and encourage trail running in the Fundy Coast Region; Support and promote sustainable trail development in the Fundy coast region; Leverage the UNESCO Fundy Biosphere Reserve designation; Be a leader in environmentally friendly and locally sustainable race organization; Encourage shoulder season visits to the region; Contribute to a world-class regional trail system.
What is the Fundy ULTRA Community Trail Micro-Grant? The organizers of the Fundy Circuit ULTRA recognize that world class trail systems require knowledgeable, engaged and resourced communities. The Fundy ULTRA Community Trail micro-grant encourages and supports sustainable trail development and use throughout the Fundy Coast Region so that communities that welcome and host trail users can benefit from a vibrant trail economy and the social and health benefits that accompany it. Projects eligible for funding will: Improve the visibility, awareness and knowledge of our trail system; Foster principles of sustainable trail development; Cultivate community partnerships and collaborations; and Engage community members in fun, meaningful and impactful projects that connect people to trails and nature. Find out more about the Micro-Grant at www.fundyguild.ca. Connecting Albert County is the grateful recipient of the 2019 Fundy ULTRA Community Trail Micro-Grant, which was used, in part, to produce Exploring Our Trails.