Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve

Have you hiked the Mapleton Acadian Forest Trail near Elgin? I highly recommend this quiet 3-km nature trail to anyone who would like to spend a peaceful hour or two exploring the Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve.

As you meander up hill and down dale, you will discover small waterways, footbridges, interpretive signs, ravines, and a variety of hardwoods and softwoods in the Acadian Forest. You will hear brooks gurgling, squirrels chattering and birds calling. You might also catch a glimpse of wildlife or a maple sugar camp in the distance.

MapletonTrail
trail

If you have not had the pleasure of experiencing this tranquil trail, come out and see for yourself! During the winter, you might need snowshoes or ice-grippers, depending on the conditions.

Blue diamonds mark the 3-km trail, which is composed of a longer loop of moderate difficulty and a shorter (0.5 km) loop of increased difficulty.

The trail was built by the Elgin Eco Association (EEA) in 2006. Since that time, it has been maintained by EEA volunteers. In 2017, the EEA entered a partnership with the Nature Trust of NB to create the 160-acre Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve.

Directions: From NB Highway 1, take exit 233 at Petitcodiac; turn onto Route 905 towards Elgin. Drive approx. 17 km to the junction with Route 895 (before Elgin corner); turn left onto Mapleton Road / Route 895. Drive 4.5 km. Just past #2433 at the bottom of the hill (before Kaye Road), you will see a large sign on the right. Snow is not always removed from the parking area. It is a short walk from the road to the trailhead.

Submitted by Julie Kean Marks