Walton Glen Gorge Falls — Attraction in New Brunswick

We found this place on the Waterfalls of New Brunswick book and after googling it thought it looked awesome. So we followed the instructions of the book and went through Little Salmon Road and we had to park a little far away from where the map said the trail started. However, after walking through a well paved road (Little Salmon Rd is all dirt road) we came upon a little parkway loop that had not-yet-finished Reception Area building and every sign telling us the name and distance for the trails. (There’s more trails than just the Walton Glen Gorge)

We were going with the idea that it was going to be pretty well groomed but it was going to be a hard hike. But we found out everything has been changed, there are gravel paths that take you to the Walton Glen Gorge Lookout (although when you get there the edge is fenced off) and to other trails such as Little Salmon Beach, McLeod Brook Falls, etc. However the trail for the Walton Glen Gorge, which is the one you go down to the water was pretty tough to find. There is only one sign telling you it’s in that direction, and in that same direction you find several paths with no signaling and if you take a wrong one you end up doing a loop and coming onto a gravel path again. There is still a lot under construction.

Now the good part, we finally found our way towards Little Salmon River and followed it through a very strenuous and extreme hike (at a good pace you make 45 min from the gravel path to the end which is the Eye of the Needle). So the Eye of the Needle is where the Gorge really thins out and you find yourself surrounded by high rock walls. When you get there, there is a freezing swimhole which you can cross and it takes you to continue downstream (there is no more path after this). The hike back was insane because you are now tired. All in all it’s an amazing hike, with very steep sections with barely enough space for both your feet, you scramble around boulders and hang to trees and some rope as...

Having seen many of the back country trails in the province, this one should be added to your list if you haven’t checked it out yet. That being said it is fairly steep and may not be for everybody. The park staff have done a good trail at forming the trail and delineating the trail with rocks, but it is quite steep. It isn’t overly long with just over an hour to the bottom off of the main trail. (Two adults with hiking experience) There are some areas where there is chain bolted into the rock to help you hold on, and in some areas there is quite the drop off beside the trail. So something to consider as there is only one way in and out. You want to be comfortable on your feet for this trail. That being said it is a very cool little piece of NB. At the bottom of the trail, the main marked trail ends and you will need to scramble across the river and head down river approximately 100m to get to the area where the photos are. You can’t see the narrow canyon from where the trail ends. To get to the narrowest spot, you will need to cross the river. Some people had water shoes which would be a good idea. The last pools is over waist deep so consider a towel if you want to swim the last pool, water is cold.

To get to the trail head you have to head to the Walton Glen Gorge lookout them you branch off to head down into the gorge. The branch off for the gorge is a small hike from the...

Wonderful hike. Please keep in mind that the trail directly down to the Eye of the Needle is very steep in sections so wear very good shoes with lots of grip. Hiking poles are also recommend. Bring a separate pair of water shoes to cross the stream to get to the eye. If you want to pass through the eye, you will be wading through water about 4' deep (wear Quick drying clothes). The route I took was the connector trail to the Fundy Footpath over to Salmon River then up through the river to the Gorge. If you take this route plan accordingly. It is about 12km long and once you reach Salmon River you are walking in water more than dry land. Water footwear is a must.

After seeing the stories on the CBC about the injured hikers who needed to be air lifted out of this trail I needed to add this to my review. Please people, do some research before attempting this hike. While I was on this trail I witnessed people hiking in flip flops and sandals. Hiking without water. Hiking while carrying their lap dog (twice). It's not an easy trail. This is a DIFFICULT trail. Be prepared. If you've never hiked before don't go on this trail. It's not for the...