Hiking in Parc écologique de la Péninsule acadienne: trails, map and practical info

What you come to see

The park is a nature site on Lamèque, an island off northeastern New Brunswick, where the vegetation is left untouched and wildlife is protected, according to Tourism New Brunswick. It has an observation tower, a footbridge and a boardwalk that crosses an estuary and runs into the forest.

The municipality of Île-de-Lamèque highlights the big fishing birds: you can watch a great blue heron use the tides to catch a meal, and an osprey fly over the estuary before diving for a fish. Tourism New Brunswick also suggests looking for great blue herons wading in the bay and Arctic terns drifting on the breeze.

The route

• The observation tower, near the entrance, looks out over the bay lined with salt marsh.
• The boardwalk crosses the estuary: 300 m according to a Tourism New Brunswick article, half a kilometre according to another of its pages. The article suggests looking for ducks and other shorebirds.
• The Arboretum Trail goes into the woods and hosts 27 native trees.
• The main trail comes out on a second boardwalk along the grassy shore of the bay. There are nesting poles: look up to see whether they are occupied.

Tourism New Brunswick describes a 2 km interpretive trail, arboretum included, in addition to the footbridge. Signs along the trails explain the ecosystem.

Guided tours

According to the NBEN directory, the park offers guided tours to educate, entertain and raise awareness of the importance of ecosystems on the Acadian Peninsula, with wildlife and flora interpretation. To find out when tours run, call the park at 506 344-3223.

Accessibility and services

Tourism New Brunswick lists bilingual service (English-French), free Wi-Fi, washrooms and wheelchair accessibility. Which parts of the trail are accessible is not specified: if a wheelchair or stroller matters to you, confirm by phone.

Wind turbines and landscape

Tourism New Brunswick calls the park a good introduction to the landscape of the Acadian Peninsula and a place to learn about the wind turbines that have been part of it since 2010.

Before you go

• Availability: July and August, according to Tourism New Brunswick. An unofficial hiking guide (Hiking NB) gives mid-May to October instead. Confirm before you make the drive.
• Level: Hiking NB, an unofficial guide, rates the trail “accessible” (“Difficulty: accessible”).
• Dogs: the sources disagree (see the FAQ). Call before bringing yours.
• Fees, opening hours and parking: to be confirmed. The park answers at 506 344-3223, the municipality of Île-de-Lamèque at 506 344-3222.