Few roads in Canada capture the joy of motorcycling like the Fundy Parkway. Hugging the Bay of Fundy coastline, this route is a dream for riders — ocean views, twisting pavement, and just enough adventure to make you feel completely alive.
The first stretch of asphalt out of Saint John hints at what’s to come: a ribbon of winding pavement that twists through forest and farmland before spilling out toward the coast. On a motorcycle, you can smell the salt in the air long before you see the Bay of Fundy. When the trees part and the ocean fills your view, it’s the kind of moment that reminds you why motorcycling is the ultimate way to explore New Brunswick.
The Fundy Parkway is a highlight not to be missed.
Quick Tips If You Go: A Ride from Saint John Exploring the Fundy Parkway by Motorcycle
| Starting Point: | Saint John, New Brunswick |
| Route: | Route 111 to St. Martins → Fundy Trail Parkway → Return, or continue to Alma, NB |
| Distance: | ~185 – 200 km round-trip (depending on detours) |
| Ride Time: | Full-day trip, 8-10 hours with stops |
| Motorcycle Rental: | Duka Adventures in Saint John |
| Fuel: | Saint John, St. Martins, Alma |
| Season: | May – October, seasonal |
| Entry Fee: | $10.87 per motorcycle, current as of 2025 |
| Road Type: | Fully paved, low traffic, curves and hills |
| Highlights: | St. Martin’s sea caves, Fuller Falls, Long Beach, Big Salmon River Suspension Bridge, Walton Glen Gorge, |
| Tips: | Pack snacks, bring layers, and plan extra time for photos and tide watching |
Highlights of the Fundy Parkway for Motorcycle Riders
- Scenic Curves: Smooth, sweeping bends that flow with the landscape. Riding here is ideal for both new and experienced riders.
- Ocean Views: Nearly every turn reveals another Bay of Fundy vista.
- Photo Opportunities: Dozens of pullouts make it easy to stop safely.
- Slow Traffic: Speeds are slow, letting you truly enjoy the ride.
- Changing Tides: The Bay of Fundy’s world-famous tides are visible all along the route.
READ MORE: Looking for another motorcycle itinerary in New Brunswick? Check out this guide to riding the Kingston Peninsula
Renting a Motorcycle in New Brunswick
If you’re visiting without your own motorcycle, Duka Adventures in Saint John makes it easy to rent and hit the road. Located just outside the city, Duka operates from a storage container setup rather than a storefront, and the team meets you there for your scheduled pickup. They’ll walk you through the bikes, answer any last-minute questions, and have you do a short test ride to make sure you’re confident before heading out.
The whole process is quick and seamless. You can reserve your motorcycle online, sign a digital waiver, and hit the road.
The motorcycles are well-maintained and equipped with panniers for packing light essentials. Helmets are provided, but bring your own riding gear and a cell phone mount for navigation, especially if you plan to explore beyond the Fundy Parkway.
What made the experience truly exceptional, though, were the local recommendations from the team. Their insight added hidden viewpoints and roadside stops to our route — places we might have missed otherwise — and made the entire day feel that much more connected to the coast.
One Day Itinerary: Saint John to the Fundy Parkway by Motorcycle
With the essentials covered, here’s how to make the most of a full day exploring the Fundy Parkway by motorcycle.
Starting Point: Saint John, NB
For riders, Saint John makes the perfect basecamp. It’s a city that blends industrial grit with coastal charm. It’s also easy to escape the busyness of traffic in minutes.
Skip the Trans-Canada Highway entirely. Route 111 is better for motorcyclists.
From downtown, head east toward Route 111, the scenic secondary highway that leads to the coastal village of St. Martins. Expect good pavement and small town vibes as you pass by the Saint John airport and several communities.
It’s about an hour’s ride to St. Martins, but plan for a full day if you’re exploring the Parkway. With stops, viewpoints, and lunch breaks, you’ll want at least five to six hours to explore before heading back. Note that the Fundy Trail Parkway has set opening and closing hours, typically from May to mid-October, so time your visit accordingly.
Morning: Saint John to St. Martins
Start early, and fuel up in Saint John before leaving the city. While there are gas stations along the way, the next convenient stop is in St. Martins. From there, no gas stations are available until Alma (if you plan to continue beyond the Parkway.)
As the road dips toward the coast, you’ll reach St. Martins. This is truly a postcard-perfect fishing village framed by red cliffs and sea caves and covered bridges.
Before heading into the Parkway, make time to explore here — it’s worth the detour.
Lunch Options in St. Martins
Coffee and baked goods are easy to find at the Shipyard Café, a cozy local spot near the harbour. When we stopped in, the staff happily recommended where to grab a full meal. This is the kind of local hospitality that makes road trips memorable.
For lunch, there are a few standout options. Spinney’s Seafood Restaurant is home to what locals proudly call the best lobster roll (as voted) in New Brunswick. When I asked what makes it so good, the owner smiled and said “less is more.” The secret is it’s just lobster and mayo – simple, fresh, and delicious. The buns come from Big Brothers Bakery near Moncton, toasted and buttered just right.
The ship that brings the lobster in can be seen near the harbour and is named Cal’s Commander. Spinney’s will even package a lobster roll so you can reheat it later, and they sell fresh scallops to take home. (Which I did – I flew all the way back west in Canada with a pack of frozen scallops tucked in my clothing in my suitcase. The hotel lkfroze them for me until I was ready to go.)
Old Molly’s Bar is another gem, a truly local restaurant sourcing ingredients from nearby farms. The cheese alone comes from four fromageries. The beer, charcuterie, and cheese are all picked up directly by the staff from communities in the area. It’s the kind of place that is genuinely connected to the land and producers around it.
READ MORE: Travelling through Atlantic Canada? Here is a guide to Planning a Nova Scotia Roadtrip
Sightseeing: What to See and Do in St. Martins, New Brunswick
The highest tides in the world occur in the Bay of Fundy with a range of up to 16 metres (52 feet) from high to low. St Martins is an excellent location to visit and see how dramatic this change really is.
1. St. Martins Sea Caves
Carved by the world’s highest tides, the St. Martins Sea Caves are the village’s most famous attraction. At low tide, you can walk right up to the sandstone caves and see the dramatic layers of Fundy geology up close. Just make sure to check tide times as at high tide, the ocean fills them completely.
2. The Twin Covered Bridges
Nicknamed “kissing bridges” for the privacy they offered, the Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge and the Hardscrabble Covered Bridge are two charming timber-truss bridges that sit near each other at the entrance to town. They’re among the most photographed in New Brunswick, especially with the fishing boats and harbour in the background. It’s an iconic stop for motorcyclists and road-trippers.
3. Quaco Head Lighthouse
A short ride from the village centre, the Quaco Head Lighthouse is a white and red concrete structure that overlooks St Martin’s beach and the Bay of Fundy. It’s a peaceful spot to park the bike, listen to the waves crash below, and take in one of the best coastal panoramas in southern New Brunswick.
Once you’ve filled up on food, snacks, and fuel continue east toward the entrance of the Fundy Trail Parkway, just 10 kilometres outside St. Martins.
Midday: Riding the Fundy Trail Parkway
The Fundy Trail Parkway hugs the rugged Bay of Fundy coastline, unfolding over 30 kilometres of paved scenic roadway through Fundy Trail Provincial Park. This is more than just a road however, the park encompasses over 6,300 acres of protected land with 35 kilometres of hiking and biking trails, more than 20 lookouts, plus beaches, waterfalls, and a 60-metre suspension bridge leading to the world-famous Fundy Footpath.
READ MORE: 10 Unique Things to See and Do in Nova Scotia
FAQ: Motorcycling the Fundy Parkway
How long does it take to ride the Fundy Parkway? It took decades to complete this beautiful parkway. While you can drive it in less than hour, it’s very much a place to stop and enjoy the views along the way. I recommend 4-6 hours to truly get the most out of the parkway.
What is the riding surface like on the Fundy Parkway? For riders, the pavement is smooth with just the right amount of curve to make it engaging without feeling rushed.
Is the Fundy Parkway good for beginner motorcyclists? Yes, the posted speed limit is slow – perfect for stopping often, taking in the views, and feeling the ocean breeze. It’s also ideal for beginner riders to practice their skills on curves and hills.
How much is it for a motorcycle to enter the Fundy Parkway? A small booth marks the entrance to the Parkway. Entry is $10.87 per motorcycle, as of 2025.
5 Must-See Stops Along the Fundy Parkway
There are numerous options when it comes to stops along the parkway. It can feel overwhelming.
Everywhere we stopped, we asked locals what they’re favourite viewpoints were. Here are the top 5 stops to make (in order from the Fundy Parkway entrance closest to St Martins). But I recommend adding more stops to your must-see list.
- Fuller Falls – P4: A short, shaded trail leads down a set of 72 steep wooden stairs (a cable ladder) to a cascade that tumbles into a mossy ravine. Water levels vary depending on the time of year. Parking is available at P4.
- The Green Cookhouse – P6: This stop ideal to pick up a cool drink or a warm coffee and a bite to eat before continuing on. There is an excellent photo series of the logging history of the area inside the restaurant and an old Heritage Sawmill up the hill that is worth looking at.
- Salmon River Suspension Bridge – P8: This 60-metre suspension bridge is a treat to walk over the Big Salmon River. From P8 you can walk five minutes along the river, under the vehicle bridge to reach the suspension bridge. Please note the bridge was closed for 2025, but you can still walk up to it and look at it.
Interpretive Centre: There is a nearby interpretive centre where you can learn about local geology, wildlife, and the communities that once called this rugged coastline home. There is an excellent view of the Big Salmon River from the verandah. - Long Beach – P12: This is one of the best spots to stretch your legs and stroll the beach and ocean floor while watching the Fundy tides change. The beach is about a half a kilometre into the bay at low tide. There is an on-site Interpretive Centre with staff and volunteers available to answer questions and share about the geology of the area. There are also portable toilets here.
- Walton Glen Gorge Lookout – P15: This was the number one spot recommended to not miss while on the parkway.
It’s a 2-kilometre round-trip walk to access the viewing platform and peek over the edge, and it’s worth it. Known as the “Grand Canyon of New Brunswick,” this massive gorge opens dramatically beneath you and is an unforgettable photo stop.
There is a reception centre and bathrooms at P15.
On the Fundy Parkway, take your time. There’s little traffic, and every lookout is a fantastic spot for a photo or just a quiet moment with the ocean.
Afternoon: Return or Continue to Alma
From the eastern gate of the Parkway, riders can loop back to Saint John the same way they came or continue onward to Alma, a seaside village bordering Fundy National Park.
When passing back through St. Martins, take some time to stop and see the change in the tide and compare how it looked earlier in the day.
If you’re feeling adventurous, stay the night in St. Martins or Alma. Both offer cozy inns, seaside restaurants, and the kind of maritime hospitality that makes you want to linger longer than planned.
READ MORE: 4 Indigenous Tourism Experiences to have in Nova Scotia
Tips for Motorcyclists
Bring a GoPro or helmet-mounted camera as the views here are cinematic.
Watch for wildlife, especially deer and moose along the forested stretches.
While the Parkway has elevation changes and winding sections, it’s well-suited for beginners thanks to the slower pace and smooth road surface.
For longer adventures, consider pairing this ride with the Kingston Peninsula loop or continuing southwest toward St. Andrews by the Sea for a full New Brunswick motorcycle experience.
Final Thoughts
There’s something unforgettable about riding beside the ocean — the tang of salt air, the crash of waves, and the rhythm of the road beneath your motorcycle. The Fundy Parkway captures all of that in one ride. It’s not just scenic, it’s what riding is all about.
Whether you’re local to New Brunswick, crossing the country on two wheels, or looking for an amazing motorcycle adventure in a new destination, the Fundy Parkway motorcycle route deserves a spot near the top of your list.
From Saint John to St. Martins and beyond, this coastal stretch of the Bay of Fundy offers a perfect day – or the start of many more.
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