James and Vicki Donald are the creators of the Hiking NB website, Paddling NB website, and Explore Everywhere Podcast. They are attempting to hike every trail in the province and have almost reached their goal. They share their adventures and trail information on the website, on the podcast, on social media, on radio and in magazines.
What's your name, location (if you are originally from a different part of the province, please let us know as well!)
Our names are Vicki and James Donald and we currently live in Nackawic, New Brunswick. Vicki is from the Nackawic area and I grew up on the Miramichi in what's now Miramichi City.
What's your favourite place to visit in the province, and why?
Anywhere with lots of hiking trails. Our favourite is the Fundy Footpath where we had our first multi-day hike. The terrain is difficult and amazing. Our other top locations for hiking are Mount Carleton Provincial Park (including the Nepisiguit Mi'gmaq Trail), Grand Manan, Fundy National Park and the Fundy Trail Provincial Park. These locations were made for hiking and provide some of the most spectacular scenery that the province has to offer.
What's something about New Brunswick that you wish the rest of the country knew about?
I want the rest of Canada (and the world) to know how diverse the hiking trails are in the province. From the rugged Fundy Coast that shows off the highest tides in the world, to the 6-kilometre dune at Kouchibouguac National Park, to the highest peak in the Maritimes at Mount Carleton Provincial Park, to all of the trails along rivers and streams that end in amazing waterfalls, there is so much to explore.
What's your favourite "made in New Brunswick" food/drink?
After a day of hiking, we love to head into town and enjoy a fancy meal with a local craft beer. After hiking in Fundy National Park we like to stop in Alma at An Octopus’ Garden Cafe and enjoy some homemade pasta and some beer from the Holy Whale. If we hike at French Fort Cove in the Miramichi we get Fish and Chips at O'Donaghue's Irish Pub and try out what's new from New Maritime Brewery. After a day of hiking at the Fundy Trail Provincial Park, we like to head to Peddler's Creek Pub in Rothesay and try what's on tap from Hammond River Brewery. If we hike in Mactaquac Provincial Park we like to eat right there at Big Axe Ale House & Grill Restaurant, or head upriver to their brewery in Nackawic. There are equally great options in most locations across the province.
Is there a part of the province you haven't been to yet, that you'd like to visit? Tell us why!
We have been to most parts of New Brunswick in our quest to hike every trail in the province. One area we would like to explore more is the wilderness in the northwest corner of the province between Edmundston and Kedgwick. It is our least explored part of the province and from what we have seen has some amazing scenery.
You can find out more about our adventures hiking around the province at the Hiking NB website or on our Facebook page or Instagram.
