The International Appalachian Trail through New Brunswick runs 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. It is not a traditional wilderness backpacking route: over half of it follows paved roads and converted rail beds through rural northwestern New Brunswick. The high point, literally and otherwise, is Mount Carleton Provincial Park, home to the Maritime Provinces' highest peak at 820m (2,690 ft) and the only substantial off-road hiking in the entire section.
The route suits ultralight thru-hikers connecting longer IAT sections, runners attempting fastpacking records, or backpackers more interested in rural Canadian hospitality than in pristine wilderness. It follows the Tobique River through small communities including Plaster Rock and Nictau, climbs through Mount Carleton, then continues to St. Quentin and Kedgewick before crossing the Upsalquitch and Restigouche Rivers.
Come prepared for long road walks, 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. Even so, hikers consistently praise the hospitality of rural New Brunswickers and the chance encounters that happen along this quiet route.
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, as long as you camp responsibly and do not block access to roads, trails, or waterways.
Mount Carleton Provincial Park requires camping permits when you use 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 the Mount Carleton Trail) costs $11/night for groups up to six people. Reserve ahead, especially for 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 at Franklin Campground. Border crossing requirements apply at Perth-Andover: carry a valid passport and make sure you meet all Canadian entry requirements.
Late July through September has the best hiking conditions. July and August bring the warmest weather (60-70°F) and the longest daylight hours, but also 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 the best month: nearly all the biting insects are gone, fall colors start to appear, and temperatures stay comfortable. Note that Mount Carleton's campgrounds operate only until late September, so plan around that if you want park facilities.
Skip spring (April-May), when the trails are muddy, black flies are emerging, and many services are still closed. Winter hiking is possible but requires snowshoes, ice grippers, and winter camping skills, since no facilities operate outside the May-September season.
Filter your water throughout this section. The trail follows major river systems (Tobique, Upsalquitch, Restigouche), so water is reliable, but all surface water should be treated. The 37 mapped campsites along the route typically have stream access. The single mapped water source is likely just a particularly notable or convenient spot; you will find water often along this well-watered route.
Resupply happens in small towns along the trail:
Plaster Rock (population ~1,000) has basic groceries and services where the trail follows the Tobique River through town.
Nictau has limited services near the Mount Carleton Provincial Park entrance.
St. Quentin (population ~3,600) is the largest resupply point in northwestern Restigouche County, on Route 17, with full services.
Kedgewick is the last 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 roughly every 2-3 days, since the trail passes through or near small communities often. Mail drops are not well established on this route, a result of light trail traffic and the 2019 closure of the maintaining organization.
The main challenge is psychological rather than physical. The long road walks and rail bed miles test the patience of backpackers who came for wilderness. One experienced hiker called it "one of the least enjoyable sections of trail I have ever hiked" purely as hiking, yet many remember it fondly for the people they met.
Black bears are common throughout New Brunswick's forests (an estimated 17,000 bears). Store food properly using bear canisters, hung bear bags, or the designated bear boxes at Mount Carleton campsites. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising a bear, especially near berry patches in late summer.
Moose are common too, particularly in wooded areas. Give them at least 25 meters, especially cows with calves. They can look docile and still turn aggressive if threatened.
Insect pressure from late spring through summer can be severe. Black flies bite during daylight and go for 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, so water crossings are a minor hazard here.
Navigation is complicated by the lack of maintenance since 2019. Download GPS tracks from FarOut ($7 USD) or another mapping app before starting. The route is not consistently blazed, and the rail beds can be confusing where they intersect other trails or roads.
The southern terminus at Perth-Andover sits on the US-Canada border adjacent to Fort Fairfield, Maine. Trailhead parking information is limited because of 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 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 runs 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 two vehicles. The 2019 closure of Sentiers NB Trails ended whatever organized trail support previously existed.
Road access is generally good along Route 17 and the other paved sections; no special vehicle clearance is needed.
Accept the road walk for what it is. Bring podcasts, audiobooks, or a hiking companion for conversation. The social side of this trail and the rural hospitality often end up as the highlights, not the scenery.
Time your Mount Carleton visit for good weather. The 12km loop over Mount Carleton, Mount Head, and Mount Sagamook is the route's only significant wilderness hiking, so do not lose it to poor planning or a rushed schedule. 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 it for a real backcountry night within the park.
Crown land camping is permitted for occasional use outside the provincial park, though "occasional" is loosely defined. Be discreet, follow leave-no-trace principles, and do not block access to roads or trails. RVs must stay at least 75m from waterways; that rule does not apply to tent camping.
Water is abundant, since you follow river valleys for most of the route. Do not carry extra water weight on the road sections.
Hiking southbound (Tide Head to Perth-Andover) lets you finish in the United States and skip re-entry complications, though it 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 bring trail magic, local knowledge, and encounters that make up for the plain trail conditions.
Bring road-worthy footwear. Trail runners handle the long pavement miles better than heavy hiking boots.
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.
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