A Walk On The Trail
Published June 2001 in Saltscapes
Magazine
Reprinted with permission.
The morning fog is beginning to burn off as I pull up to the gate of the Fundy Trail Parkway. The day looks like it will be perfect for a hike and some exploration of this beautiful section of the New Brunswick coastline.Located a little more than 45 minutes East of Saint John on Route 111, the village of St. Martins is the home to one of the most beautiful sections of rugged coastline on the Eastern seaboard. The powerful Bay of Fundy tides meet the craggy shoreline along the southern shore of New Brunswick to create a wonderful variety of diverse and unique environments. The Fundy Trail Parkway, located just a few minutes beyond St. Martins, is a wonderful natural park complete with foot and biking trails, roadway, and lookouts throughout. It was designed to allow visitors a full range of experiences through the 75,000 hectares of park using the 11km of roadways and 16km network of hiking, biking, and walking trails.
The Fundy Trail Parkway was the grand dream of a number of the local residents. The dream became a reality by former provincial legislator Stuart Jamieson, who helped acquire the property from such notable property owners as the Hearst Family in 1993. Over the next ten years the trail was developed to take advantage of both the majestic views of the abrupt convergence of wilderness and water.
As I drive along the coastline and through the winding Parkway I am amazed at the beauty and incredible scenery here. At one of the many lookout sites along the road I stop and get out. Even up here at the top of the cliffs the smell of the salt air is strong. I look up the coastline and observe the lush green evergreen forest abruptly ending at the edge of a large cliff that plunges into the rough churning Bay below. Even with the Fundy fog it is awe-inspiring, and the crashing of the waves below further add to the experience, relaying the powerful forces at work here. It was a brave and hardy soul that eons ago plied the waters here and made a home here!