Each of the country’s 10 provinces has an organization responsible for managing quad riding in their respective provinces. The first challenge they face is to consolidate and federate the passion of provincial enthusiasts who want to build a better world for riding. The second, just as important, is to gain credibility with government and municipal authorities so as to be supported in their project. This is what QuadNB is achieving in New Brunswick.
What is QuadNB?
QuadNB’s primary mandate is to manage the network of off-road vehicle trails in New Brunswick. QuadNB is also responsible for the organization and development of quad activities throughout the province. To this end, the organization works in concert with government and municipal authorities, as well as various partners, to grow the ATV industry in the province.
Another important objective is to ensure safe and responsible ATV riding throughout New Brunswick. To this end, QuadNB leads educational initiatives aimed at the public. Whether we’re talking about land access, legislation, trail safety or the fight against vandalism, QuadNB is determined to promote sustainable ATV development in the province.
In concrete terms, this translates into a federation of 8 regions and 57 ATV clubs in New Brunswick. 31,000 individual members, out of a total of 61,000 quads licensed in the province, are members of these clubs. This 50% penetration rate demonstrates ATV owners’ interest in the federated activity. Collectively, QuadNB offers a network of 10,000 km of trails throughout New Brunswick, with 8,000 km accessible in summer and 4,000 km mechanically groomed in winter. It’s understandable that the location of some trails varies with the season.
Also, to help you navigate the trail network, QuadNB offers a navigation application for Apple and Android smartphones. You’ll be able to see your real-time location on a map, the available trail network around and the location of services you may need.
The thematic trail network
What matters most to members who ride the trails is the richness of the experience they’ll have riding in varied but always enchanting environments. Here are the proposed themed trails developed by the Clubs in the area. In addition to interesting places to visit, you’ll also find all the accommodation, food and refreshments you need for a pleasant stay.
Border Quad Trails
This thematic trail is QuadNB’s longest. It covers almost 850 km and corresponds to trail #10. It offers multiple access points from Quebec and Maine, and links the nine clubs in two regions, while incorporating several hundred more kilometers of local trails.
The north-western section is packed with exceptional sites, such as the Three Frontiers marker, Michaud Mountain, the charming Canadian municipalities along the Saint-Jean River, the Pointu de Rivière-Verte, and soon, the Grand Falls Gorge, which will be accessible. A new section, linking Grand Falls to Perth-Andover via the old railway right-of-way, will soon enrich this route.
In the north-east, equally spectacular attractions await you. Explore Squaw Cap, cross Dalhousie into the Chaleur region and discover the Jacquet River Gorge, the river’s salmon barrier, the Parc-Atlas at Pointe-Verte, ideal for Arctic char fishing, and the Jacquet River Protected Natural Area.
These two extremities are linked by a 300 km trail, using the former INR rail line between Campbellton and Kedgwick.
Although the St-Léonard-Campbellton route can be covered in a day, you can choose to take your time and take advantage of the many local activities, such as the Festival Western de St-Quentin or the Festival d’automne de Kedgwick, to extend the experience.
Peninsular Coast Trails
The Peninsular Coast Trail is a popular destination that’s been nicknamed the capital of winter quad riding. In fact, the network is more extensive in winter, as peat bogs are abundant in the region and the cold weather makes it possible to ride when the ground is frozen. This trail proposal brings together seven quad clubs committed to maintaining over 1,000 km of quality trails, guaranteeing an unrivalled experience for enthusiasts.
Four lodging options with direct access to the trail are available: the Best Western Plus in Bathurst, the Hôtel Super 8 in Caraquet, the Chalets de la plage in Bas-Caraquet, and the Motel Beauséjour and Restaurant Chez-Raymond in Néguac. Most of the municipalities we pass through provide access to their streets for ATVs, facilitating access to essential services.
A must-see stop on this network is the famous tipis, true symbols of the region’s trails. What’s more, winter nightlife is lively here, with numerous gathering places transformed into musical events on Friday and Saturday evenings. Paquetville, at the heart of the circuit, is a key meeting point for quad riders in winter.
In summer, although the trails are limited to closed circuits due to the high presence of peat bogs in the region, they allow day trips of up to 200 km round trip. However, it is necessary to transport your quad with a trailer between the various clubs. However, projects are underway to improve connectivity. Summer must-dos include Shippagan and its wharf, Caraquet’s Carrefour de la mer, and the coastal trail between Saint-Léolin and Bathurst, which offers breathtaking seascapes and passes through charming agricultural areas. Grand Tracadie, with its vibrant cultural life, is also well worth a visit.
This region offers a multitude of unique experiences, whether for winter or summer, always marked by grandiose landscapes and a warm atmosphere.
South East Valley Trails
New Brunswick’s southeastern region is distinguished by its flat landscapes, the vast Memramcook Valley, its proximity to two neighboring Maritime provinces and its convenient access to Moncton, the region’s major urban center. The Southeast Valley ATV Trail offers a three-day itinerary, with each outing promising a new and memorable experience.
Five of QuadNB’s nine Region 5 clubs are involved in this proposed trail. It covers several hundred kilometers and offers an immersion in exceptional natural landscapes. Highlights include panoramic views of the Petitcodiac River and Nova Scotia from Dorchester Point (on a clear day), discovering the stream known as “Memramcook Beach” between Memramcook and Sackville, or Lac Poucette, nestled on the trails of Cap-Pelé. Other gems include the new trail to Cap Tourmentin, Black Lake, the Gaspareau River and the historic site of Beaumont Church in Memramcook.
Accommodations are designed with quad riders in mind, with strategic options. In Shediac, two sites are directly accessible thanks to the opening of streets to all-terrain vehicles. There’s also a scout camp in Memramcook and approved accommodation in Sackville since 2019. While in Sackville, take the time to visit the pedestrian walkway at Waterfowl Park, ideal for a relaxing stroll. Whether in Shediac or Sackville, take advantage of their vibrant cultural scene to enrich your evenings after a day of quad exploration.
Itineraries vary depending on where you’re coming from. From Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island, start in Sackville and head north for a first night in Shédiac. If you’re coming from Quebec, other parts of New Brunswick or the U.S., Shédiac is the ideal starting point, with immediate access to trails leading to the rest of the southeast.
An impressive offering of quad tours
QuadNB and its 57 affiliated clubs have developed a vast 10,000 km network of safe, well-signposted ATV trails. Quad touring in New Brunswick means riding in an environment with a host of possibilities, depending on the type of landscape you desire. Whether you’re riding in the forest of the Appalachian mountains in the north of the province, the wilderness of the Acadian Peninsula or the plains of the Southwest Valley, you’ll have the pleasure of seeing New Brunswick from the inside out and enjoying the warm welcome of New Brunswickers.
