Destination: New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy

With travel being at a standstill I have found myself spending more time looking for new places to visit. A new destination that I just added high onto my bucket list is New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy region.

Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides, billion-year-old coastlines snd every kind of adventure you could imagine. Set up camp at Fundy National Park, hike, bike, or drive along the Fundy Trail, rappel down craggy cliffs at Cape Enrage, and visit The Hopewell Rocks. If you want city life, head over to Saint John—the only city on the Bay of Fundy. 

Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides

The tides in the Bay of Fundy can rise an unbelievable 46 feet with 160 billion tons of seawater gushing in and out of the bay twice a day. The tides are best experienced at The Hopewell Rocks, where you can walk around giant sea stack monoliths at low tide then watch the tide rise around them. During high tide, a kayak is perfect to adventure around The Hopewell Rocks. 

Just to give you a little bit of perspective, in other parts of the world, the average tide is 3 feet or less, while at the Bay of Fundy tides can reach a height of 46 feet twice a day.

How to witness the tides at Bay of Fundy

Head over to The Hopewell Rocks, and walk along the ocean floor, and gaze up at the beautiful formations. Or kayak on top of the tides and meet the formations eye-to-eye. I want to do both.

The Hopewell Rocks will leave you breathless

When visiting Bay of Fundy, one thing you can’t leave without doing is visiting The Hopewell Rocks. Even though I haven’t seen them in person, the pictures are what hooked me and made me realize I have to visit Bay of Fundy.

What are the famous flowerpot rocks?

Over thousands of years of high and low tides, the sea carved the famous “flowerpot” rocks at The Hopewell Rocks at Bay of Fundy one of New Brunswick’s top destinations. Make sure you wear shoes/boots you’re okay with getting mudding as you explore these beautiful formations. 

The dramatic high and low tides have spent years sculpting The Hopewell Rocks, and they truly are nature’s artwork. Some of the rocks have come to have fun nicknames like Lovers Arch, E.T., and Mother-in-Law.

Fundy Trail Parkway

The Fundy Trail is 6,323-acres and features 19-miles of parkway hugging the southern coast of New Brunswick. With stunning views of the world-renowned Bay of Fundy.

Drive the paved parkway that hugs the 820 feet coastal cliffs, explore trails that connect to paths or stairways leading to pristine beaches and river estuaries, cross a 275 foot suspension footbridge, see tumbling waterfalls and Precambrian rocks,275-foot or stop by the interpretive center and discover the rich history of a once-thriving lumber industry.

Fundy Trail is home to the beginning of the Fundy Footpath hiking path, one of the top 50 hiking trails in the world!

Hiking trails at Fundy Trail Parkway

You know I can’t plan a trip without hiking. Whether you’re looking for a short, easy stroll on a wide trail or a longer more challenging hike on a footpath—Fundy Trail Parkway has something for you.

EASY – For those who feel comfortable walking 2 to 4 hours a day on mainly level terrain.

MODERATE – For those who feel comfortable walking 3 to 5 hours a day. Walking trails can include smooth and/or uneven footpaths and some ascents up to 400 feet.

STRENUOUS – For more experienced hikers who feel comfortable walking 3 to 6 hours a day and have a higher level of fitness to fully enough the challenges of this classification. Trail may have an uneven terrain with some steeper ascents from 1000 to 2400 feet.

Waterfalls at the Fundy Trail Parkway

Every adventure is better when waterfalls are involved and at Fundy Trail Parkway you’ll find four unique and beautiful waterfalls. 

Fuller Falls
Fuller Falls is one of many favorite attractions in our park and is easily accessed as it is very close to the parkway. Here you can have a look from the upper viewing area or walk down the cable ladder to the lookout landing below.

Long Beach Brook Falls
If you have some time, you may wish to hike the footpath to Long Beach Brook Falls. It’s a moderate hike with a couple of steep sections.

McLeod Brook Falls
McLeod Brook Falls is accessed by following the McLeod Brook Trail.

Walton Glen Gorge Falls
Walton Glen Gorge Falls is situated in the Little Salmon River Protected Natural Area (PNA) adjacent to the parkway, visitors will be in for a treat. The falls are thought to be the second-highest waterfalls in the Province.

Flower Pot Rock

Even if you visit The Hopewell Rocks, I still feel like Flower Pot Rock is a must-see destination in the Fundy Trail Parkway. If you follow Flowerpot Scenic trail at Fownes Head you will see Fundy Trail’s beloved flowerpot rock. Named because of the tuft of vegetation that grows on their tops, the proper term for the formation is a sea stack. This is one stage that occurs during the process of coastal erosion.

First Time Visitor Itinerary Fundy Trail Parkway

from the Fundy Trail Parkway website

One Hour
Stop at Fox Rock and catch your first glimpse of the magnificent Bay of Fundy. Continue to Fuller Falls. View the falls from the upper observation deck or walk down the cable ladder to get a closer look. Continue to the Interpretive Centre for a quick visit and, if time still allows, hurry over to the Suspension Footbridge – cross this 84-m footbridge across Big Salmon River.

Three Hours
Stop at Fox Rock and catch your first glimpse of the magnificent Bay of Fundy. Stop at Fownes Head and hike down the Flower Pot Rock Scenic Footpath. Continue driving the parkway to Fuller Falls. View the falls from the upper observation deck or walk down the cable ladder to get a closer look. Continue to the Interpretive Centre to learn about the former lumbering community of Big Salmon River. Head over to the Suspension Footbridge – cross this 84-m footbridge across Big Salmon River. Head back to your vehicle to travel east through the rock cuts. Once through, stop at whichever lookouts are of interest. Stop at Long Beach Lookout and then head to Long Beach to enjoy some time.

Five Hours
Stop at Fox Rock and then drive to Fownes Head and hike down the Flowerpot Rock Scenic Footpath. Continue driving the parkway to Fuller Falls. Continue to the Interpretive Centre to learn about the former lumbering community of Big Salmon River. Head over to the Suspension Footbridge by foot and then return to your vehicle to travel east through the rock cuts. Once through, stop at whichever lookouts are of interest. One of them will be a great spot for a picnic lunch. Stop at Long Beach Lookout and then head to Long Beach for some relaxation. If you are up for a moderate to strenuous hike, why not try Long Beach Brook Falls Trail? Next, visit each of the 6 new lookouts just after Long Beach!