If you live in or have visited Saint John, New Brunswick you likely would have taken notice of the many trails in an around the city that offer a paradise for hikers and cyclists.
I personally have probably hiked the majority of them and frequent them often. There is no better way to clear the mind and get exercise than to walk through the many kilometers of trails combined in various parks in Saint John.
Rockwood Park is located just five minutes from the city center and offers many trails and 10 fresh water lakes. The park has 2,200 acres that has a web of paved as well as gravel and dirt trials. This is ideal for hiking and biking. I have hiked throughout the park many times and never grow tired of it. A few friends of mine bike though the trails often. In addition the park offers swimming, cross-country skiing and skating. There is even a golf course and a zoo in the outer part of the park.
Another favorite of mine is the Irving Nature Park. Overlooking the Bay of Fundy, this wooded area offers over 20 kilometers (12 miles) of nature trails. It also boasts long sandy beaches as well as as abundant wildlife including harbour seals, porpoises and hundreds of species of birds. I never get tired of walking the perimeter trail that takes you around the peninsula in a little over an hour. You can stop and sit on a beach along the way while inhaling the aroma of salt-water breezes. After your hike you can stop and enjoy a barbeque at one of the rest stops and enjoy close by lookout points overlooking the Bay of Fundy. You can also walk shorter trails throughout the park. There is a dirt road that takes you along the perimeter of the park if you prefer to bike. Best of all entrance to the park is free of charge.
There are a few other smaller parks that offer hiking trails throughout the city. Mispec Park on the eastern tip of the city offers 5km of hiking trails (3 miles) along the Bay of Fundy. Mispec also has a sandy beach to walk along when the tide permits. Harbour Passage in the city center connects the north side of the city to the downtown with a safe walking, running and biking trail. It has over 3 kilometers of paved trial that is also wheel chair accessible. Harbour Passage will soon be part of the Trans Canada Trail. I love walking the Harbour Passage trail, although for me, it is not a hard-core hike. It does offer a good walk for people of all ages and people with disabilities.
In addition to trails in the city, the towns of Quispamsis and Grand Bay-Westfield offer hiking and walking trials as well. There are lots of spots in and around Saint John to get out and get some exercise and help clear the mind. Go take a hike.