Boars Head Nature Preserve Trail
Gallery
Store
Quick Facts
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Trail Type | mixed |
| Distance | 3 km return |
| Estimated Time | 1 hr |
| Surface Type | forested |
| Elevation Change | 50 meters |
| Features | river views |
| Trail Markers | yellow diamonds |
| Scenery Rating | beautiful |
| Maintenance Rating | well maintained |
| Cell Reception | strong |
| Dog Friendly | yes |
| Fees | by donation |
From the Sign
Boars Head Nature Preserve
In 2010, Boars Head Nature Preserve was donated by the Province of New Brunswick. It is one of the last remaining pieces of undeveloped coastline in Kennebecasis Bay, protecting over 150 metres of shoreline along the St. John River Basin. The preserve includes 26 hectares (64 acres) of mature forest and shrub, with several other ecosystems such as cedar swamps, red spruce groves, and alder wetlands.
Admire the beauty of Boars Head Nature Preserve and listen for songbirds as you walk the 1.7km marked footpath through mature forest to the breathtaking Kennebecasis Bay coast.
Deer ticks may be present in heavily wooded areas, so please take caution and stay on the footpath to avoid tick-related problems. If a tick is found on your body, visit your physician as soon as possible.
- Another name for this area is "The Farms" because the Bullock family used to walk their cattle through the property to graze nearby fields.
- The preserve offers habitat for many species of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, osprey and bald eagle.
- The preserve protects the threatened Anticosti aster. Keep your eyes open for blue-purple flowers from mid-July to the first of frost.
Map
Description
The trail starts by climbing up on a ridge overlooking the fields at the school. After crossing a small bridge you will find the sign for the Preserve. The trail travels through a mossy spruce forest. It goes through some interesting rocky outcrops and crevasses.
The trail comes to a split that creates a loop of the last section. From the split the trail starts to descend down towards the river through a more mixedwood forest. At the bottom of the hill on the left part of the loop there is a trail that accesses the beach. Not far away is a rocky point that juts out into the river. The rock that makes up the point is a very interesting looking conglomerate.
The bottom of the loop travels through the woods parallel to the shore. On the right side of the loop there is a lookout with views of the river.
Directions
After crossing the Harbour Bridge heading into Saint John, take the first exit (exit 251) for Chesly Drive. At the stop sign turn right onto Landsdowne Avenue. Follow Landsdowne Avenue for 650 metres and then turn left on Visart Street by Sobeys. You will come to a set of lights beside Sobeys. Continue through the lights and soon after turn right onto Harrington Street, which turns into Millidge Avenue. After 1.9 kilometres turn left onto Boars Head Road. Drive to the end of Boars Head Road (1.5 km) and then continue straight through the intersection onto Ragged Point Road. Drive by the school and turn left into the parking lot. Park by the Saint Francois de Sales church in the back corner of the parking lot. The trail enters the woods behind the church.
If you are coming into Saint John from the Sussex direction, take exit 123 and turn right onto Somerset Street. Drive to the end of Somerset Street (2.7km) and turn right onto Millidge Avenue. Soon after turn left onto Boars Head Road. Drive to the end of Boars Head Road (1.5 km) and then continue straight through the intersection onto Ragged Point Road. Drive by the school and turn left into the parking lot. Park by the Saint Francois de Sales church in the back corner of the parking lot. The trail enters the woods behind the church.
Other Trails in Saint John
External Links
Nature Trust NB - Boars Head Nature Preserve
Trail Last Hiked: September 10, 2020.
Page Last Updated: October 23, 2021.