Riverside Trails
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Quick Facts
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Trail Type | linear |
| Distance | 1.3 km |
| Estimated Time | 1 hour return |
| Surface Type | forested, old road |
| Elevation Change | 31 meters |
| Features | river, old dam |
| Trail Markers | Directional signs |
| Scenery Rating | beautiful |
| Maintenance Rating | well maintained |
| Cell Reception | strong |
| Dog Friendly | yes |
| Fees | none |
Description
The Riverside Trails are a work in progress by the Shediac Outdoors Association. The trails are multi use and used for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, snowshoeing and fatbiking. The trails are a mix of single track and old road.
The main trail travels along the top of the ridge with a side loop trail (La Dam) that drops down into the river valley. The side loop trail descends the hill past an abutment for an old dam that used to cross the Scoudouc River.
At the bottom of the hill the trail comes to the river where it narrows in. This access point provides great views up and down the river. Past this point the trail travels through a unique floodplain that is dominated by large balsam fir trees. Balsam Fir is not a typical tree you would find in a floodplain. It makes me think that this floodplain hasn't flooded in a long time or isn't under water for very long if it has.
The trail climbs back out of the valley on switchbacks that pass through old mountain bike trails and other infrastructure that have been abandoned. Once the trail meets back up to the main trail you can turn right to continue up the river or turn left to return to the start of the trail. If you continue up along the river you will soon come to the edge of a powerline. This is where the trail ended the last time I visited. I was with Eric and Sebastien from the trail group and they said there were plans to continue the trails past the powerlines.
Map
Directions
Drive through Shediac on Main Street. On the opposite side of the bridge from the giant lobster turn onto Riverside Drive. Continue on Riverside Drive passing over the highway. At 1.7 kilometres you will come to an angled road junction with Lino Road. Continue straight through this junction and the pavement soon ends. From here the road is a rough gravel road. Depending on what vehicle you have, and your comfort level, you can either continue to drive or park and walk.
The gravel road is mostly straight but at 1 kilometre it turns to the left and passes a small house in the woods. The trail then descends a hill and passes by a small wetland on the left. Just past this wetland is the start of the trail on the left.
Trail Last Hiked: May 28, 2020.
Page Last Updated: March 27, 2021.