Overview

The International Appalachian Trail through New Brunswick extends 298km (185 miles) from the US border at Perth-Andover to the Quebec border at Tide Head, connecting Maine's IAT to Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula section. This is not a traditional wilderness backpacking experience—over half the route follows paved roads and converted rail beds through rural northwestern New Brunswick. The crown jewel is Mount Carleton Provincial Park, home to the Maritime Provinces' highest peak at 820m (2,690 ft), which offers the only substantial off-trail hiking in the entire section.

This trail suits ultralight thru-hikers connecting longer IAT sections, runners attempting fastpacking records, or curious backpackers interested in rural Canadian hospitality over pristine wilderness. The route follows the Tobique River through small communities including Plaster Rock and Nictau before climbing through Mount Carleton, then continuing to St. Quentin and Kedgewick before crossing the Upsalquitch and Restigouche Rivers.

Be prepared for significant road walking, limited wilderness camping, and minimal trail infrastructure. The volunteer organization that maintained this section (Sentiers NB Trails) closed in 2019, though efforts to establish a new stewardship group are underway. Despite these challenges, hikers consistently praise the hospitality of rural New Brunswickers and the serendipitous encounters that occur along this less-traveled route.

Permits & Regulations

No permits are required to hike the IAT through New Brunswick outside of provincial parks. The trail crosses Crown land where occasional camping is permitted without formal authorization, provided you camp responsibly and don't restrict access to roads, trails, or waterways.

Mount Carleton Provincial Park requires camping permits when using park facilities. Designated campsites cost approximately $11 CAD per night, with a $10 non-refundable reservation fee. Book online at https://parcsnbparks.ca/ or call 1-800-561-0123. The park's backcountry Headwaters Campground (4 sites partway up Mount Carleton Trail) costs $11/night for groups up to six people. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends, though midweek first-come, first-served sites sometimes open at 2pm.

The park operates camping from May 15 through September 22, with limited winter camping available at Franklin Campground. Border crossing requirements apply at Perth-Andover—ensure you have valid passports and meet all Canadian entry requirements.

Best Season

Late July through September offers the best hiking conditions. July and August provide the warmest weather (60-70°F) and longest daylight hours, but also bring peak black fly and mosquito populations. Black flies emerge in spring and persist through early July, especially near rivers. Mosquitoes peak in early July and continue through summer.

September is ideal—nearly all biting insects are gone, fall colors begin appearing, temperatures remain comfortable, and you'll avoid the worst bugs. However, Mount Carleton's campgrounds operate only until late September, so plan accordingly if using park facilities.

Avoid spring (April-May) when trails are muddy, black flies are emerging, and many services remain closed. Winter hiking is possible but requires snowshoes, ice grippers, and winter camping skills, as no facilities operate outside the May-September season.

Water & Resupply

Water filtration is essential throughout this section. The trail follows major river systems (Tobique, Upsalquitch, Restigouche) providing reliable water sources, but all surface water should be filtered. The 37 mapped campsites along the route typically offer stream access. The single mapped water source likely represents a particularly notable or convenient location, but you'll find water frequently along this well-watered route.

Resupply opportunities occur in small towns along the trail:

Plaster Rock (population ~1,000) offers basic groceries and services as the trail follows the Tobique River through town.

Nictau provides limited services near Mount Carleton Provincial Park entrance.

St. Quentin (population ~3,600) is the largest resupply point in northwestern Restigouche County along Route 17, offering full services.

Kedgewick provides another resupply before the final wilderness section.

Tide Head marks the trail's end on the Restigouche River estuary, 10km west of Campbellton.

Plan resupply stops approximately every 2-3 days, as the trail frequently passes through or near small communities. Mail drops are not well-established on this route due to limited trail traffic and the 2019 closure of the maintaining organization.

Hazards & Challenges

The primary challenge is psychological rather than physical—extensive road walking and rail bed hiking test the patience of backpackers seeking wilderness immersion. Experienced hikers report this as "one of the least enjoyable sections of trail I have ever hiked" from a pure hiking perspective, though many remember it fondly for the people they met.

Black bears are common throughout New Brunswick's forests (estimated 17,000 bears). Practice proper food storage using bear canisters, hung bear bags, or designated bear boxes at Mount Carleton campsites. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising bears, especially near berry patches in late summer.

Moose are common, particularly in wooded areas. Give them wide berth (at least 25 meters), especially cows with calves. They may appear docile but can become aggressive if threatened.

Insect pressure from late spring through summer can be severe. Black flies bite during daylight hours, targeting thin-skinned areas like necks, ears, and ankles. They breed in oxygenated water and are worse near rivers. Mosquitoes emerge in late June, peak in early July, and persist through summer. Bring DEET or picaridin repellent, consider permethrin-treated clothing, and pack a head net for peak bug season.

River crossings include the Tobique, Upsalquitch, and Restigouche Rivers. The trail generally follows valley routes and uses road bridges rather than wilderness fords, minimizing water crossing hazards.

Navigation challenges arise from poor trail maintenance since 2019. Download GPS tracks from FarOut ($7 USD) or other mapping apps before starting. The route isn't consistently blazed, and rail beds can be confusing where they intersect other trails or roads.

Getting There

The southern terminus at Perth-Andover sits on the US-Canada border adjacent to Fort Fairfield, Maine. Specific trailhead parking information is limited due to the maintaining organization's 2019 closure. Contact the Village of Perth-Andover directly for current parking access.

From Fredericton (New Brunswick's capital), drive north on Route 2 for approximately 2 hours to reach Perth-Andover. The northern terminus at Tide Head is located on the Restigouche River, 10km west of Campbellton.

The nearest major airport is Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM), approximately 4.5 hours southeast of Perth-Andover. Smaller regional service is available at Charlo Airport near Campbellton.

Maritime Bus operates limited service from Perth-Andover to Moncton ($35-50, 4h 20m, once daily), but no dedicated IAT shuttle services exist. Hikers typically arrange private shuttles or use multiple vehicles. The 2019 closure of Sentiers NB Trails eliminated organized trail support that may have previously existed.

Road access is generally good along Route 17 and other paved sections, requiring no special vehicle clearance.

Tips

Embrace the road walk reality—bring podcasts, audiobooks, or hiking companions for conversation. The trail's social aspect and rural hospitality often become the memorable highlights rather than wilderness scenery.

Time your Mount Carleton visit for good weather. The 12km loop over Mount Carleton, Mount Head, and Mount Sagamook represents the route's only significant wilderness hiking. Don't miss it due to poor planning or rushing. Consider spending 2-3 days in the park.

The Headwaters backcountry campground (4 sites, pit toilets, food caches) sits 1.2km from Mount Carleton's summit. Book this for a true backcountry experience within the park.

Crown land camping is permitted for occasional use outside the provincial park, but "occasional" is loosely defined. Be discreet, practice leave-no-trace principles, and don't restrict access to roads or trails. Avoid camping within 75m of waterways if using RVs, though this doesn't apply to tent camping.

Water sources are abundant—you're following river valleys for most of the route. Don't carry excessive water weight on the road sections.

Consider hiking southbound (Tide Head to Perth-Andover) to end in the United States rather than deal with re-entry complications, though this puts Mount Carleton at the beginning rather than the end.

Local residents are often curious and friendly toward hikers. Small-town hospitality in places like Plaster Rock can provide trail magic, local knowledge, and memorable encounters that compensate for the uninspiring trail conditions.

Bring road-worthy footwear. Trail runners work better than heavy hiking boots for the extensive pavement pounding.

Download offline maps before starting. Cell coverage is spotty in rural northwestern New Brunswick. The FarOut guide includes waypoints, water sources, and campsites with the most current user-generated information.

Plan Your Trip

Select Your Route