Difficulty | Wheelchair | Features | Botanical Gardens | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Trail Type | Loop | Trail Markers | None but easy to follow | |
Distance | 1.45 km | Scenery Rating | Beautiful | |
Estimated Time | 1 to 2 hrs | Mainteance Rating | Well Maintained | |
Trail Surface Type | Crushed Rock | Cell Phone Reception | Strong | |
Elevation Change | 8 m | GPS file | Available on request | |
Dog Friendly | On a Leash | Fees Required | Yes |
Follow Route 2 from Edmundston towards the Quebec border. After a little over 9 kilometers take exit 8 and turn left onto Rue Principale. After 200 meters turn right into the parking lot at the Botanical Gardens.
This is not your typical hiking trail but it is a really cool place to take a walk. There is so much to explore in the short loop trails throughout the property. In the visitor center is a butterfly garden and a restaurant. When you walk outside the first thing you see is a moderate sized, rocky waterfall flowing into a small pond. Trails in either direction take you through the many unique plants and trees. A side trail allows you to climb up to the top of the waterfall and get a better look at the whole property.
There is another pond with a gazebo at it's edge. A beautiful place to sit and relax. There is strange art throughout the property and a workshop with a deck that overlooks a backwater of the Madawaska River. Keep exploring and you will find the Khronos Statue. These large black, granite blocks are placed in a circle that is remniscent of stone henge. A large reflective steel ball is the center piece and on the opposite side are smaller, granite benchs surrounding a refelecting pool. The structure has celestial significance and you can read all about it on the interpretive sign.
On your way back towards the visitor center you will pass several small, oddly built cabins surrounded by more unique gardens to explore. This is a great place to explore with kids and the grown ups will also have a great time.
Here is a great video of the Gardens by Daniel Aucoin:
Chez-nous : Jardin botanique du Nouveau-Brunswick (part 4/8) from Daniel Aucoin on Vimeo.
Other Trails in the area:
None available at this time.
Trail last visited April 25, 2014.
Page Last Updated September 13, 2015.