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Bisected by Hwy 114, Fundy National Park encompasses a short stretch of the Bay of Fundy shoreline, all jagged cliffs and tidal mud flats, and the forested hills, lakes and river valleys of the central plateau behind. This varied scenery is crossed by more than 100km of hiking trails, mostly short and easy walks taking no more than three hours to complete - though the 45-kilometre Fundy Circuit links several of the interior trails and takes between three and five days. The pick of the hiking trails are, however, along the Fundy shore and it's here you'll find the spectacular Point Wolfe Beach trail, a moderately steep, 300-metre hike down from the wooded headlands above the bay to the beach below. Of equal appeal is the 4.5-kilometre loop of the Coppermine trail, which meanders through the forests with breathtaking views out along the seashore. All the park's trails are described in a free booklet issued on arrival at either of the two Hwy 114 entrance kiosks - one at the west entrance near Lake Wolfe, about 20km south of the Trans-Canada (mid-May to mid-June & early Sept to early Oct daily 10am-5.45pm; mid-June to early Sept Mon-Thurs 10am-5.45pm, Fri-Sun 8am-7.45pm); the other about 20km to the east, on the coast next door to Alma (same details). In addition, there is a visitors centre (mid-May to mid-June & early Sept to early Oct Mon-Fri 8am-4.30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm; mid-June to early Sept daily 8am-10pm; tel 887-6000) on Hwy 114 near the east entrance. The visitors centre features displays on local flora and fauna, organizes guided walks, issues backcountry permits and sells hiking maps and trail descriptions. Entrance to the park costs $3.50 per adult from mid-May to early October, but is free the rest of the year. The park is well equipped for camping , with two serviced ($19) and two unserviced ($11-13) campsites as well as a string of backcountry sites ($3). The serviced grounds largely operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though reservations are taken for a minority of sites at tel 1-800/414-6765. Backcountry sites require reservations with the visitors centre. You can either take pot luck and register on arrival or ring ahead, which is certainly the better option in July and August. Both serviced campsites - Chignecto North (mid-May to early Oct) and Headquarters (mid-June to Aug; unserviced rest of year) - plus one of the unserviced campsites, Chignecto South , are located near the east entrance (close to Alma) along with most of the park's tourist facilities. For a greater degree of isolation, take the ten-kilometre byroad southwest from the visitors centre to Point Wolfe , where a medium-sized, unserviced campsite (late June to Aug) is tucked in amongst the wooded hills above the coast - and near the starting point of the Point Wolfe Beach and Coppermine trails. If you're after a roof over your head, there are a couple of modern chalet complexes just inside the park near the visitors centre. These are Fundy Park Chalets (tel 887-2808; $40-60; May-Oct) and the marginally more comfortable - and air conditioned - Caledonia Highland Inn & Chalets (tel 887-2930; $60-80; May-Oct). In both, the rooms come with kitchenettes. There's also an extremely basic youth hostel (tel 887-2216, fundhost@nbnet.nb.ca ; $10; mid-May to mid-Oct) on Devil's Half Acre Road, some 2km from the Alma information centre. Hidden away amongst the woods, the hostel overlooks the bay and its beds are in simple cabins. Much more enticing accommodation is, however, on offer at Alma.
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