Sussex Nature Walkway
Hi there, fur-friends and human followers! It’s me—Rumor the Aussie explorer—back with another trail review! Today, my humans and I visited the Sussex Nature Walkway in Sussex, New Brunswick. Keisha stayed home for a cozy nap while I handled the exploring duties. Spoiler alert: this trail is a paw-fect fall gem!
Trail Overview
Location: Sussex New Brunswick
Distance: 8.6km (from the Sussex Arena to Sullivan Park and back, incorporating the loop part of the trail on the way out)
Difficulty: Easy
Dog-Friendly: Yes! Dogs must be on leash
Scenic Views: Yes! Peaceful wooded stretches, a creek (Trout Creek) running alongside and ponds.
Trail Condition: Wide crushed-rock trail, dry footing, well-maintained, and marked with numbered emergency location signs
From the moment we stepped onto the Sussex Nature Walkway, I could tell this was going to be a good one. The trail is wide and smooth—made of crushed rock—so there’s no slipping, no mud, and no tangled roots to trip over. It’s perfect for a leisurely walk, a family outing, or a dog like me who enjoys sniffing everything while keeping pace beside her humans (since leashes are the rule here, I stayed tethered the whole time).
The walkway follows along Trout Creek, and though it’s late October and a bit too chilly for paw-dipping, I could see lots of spots where a dog could splash around on a warm summer day. Today, though, the big show was in the trees—brilliant yellows, fiery reds, and deep oranges forming a tunnel of color overhead. Every gust of wind sent leaves fluttering down like confetti, carpeting the path beneath my paws. Mom kept stopping to take photos, but I didn’t mind—it gave me more time to sniff the crunchy leaves.
We also met a few joggers and walkers along the way, but the real excitement came from the locals—squirrels! So many squirrels! They were everywhere, darting across the path, chattering from the branches, and absolutely daring me to give chase. I did my best to be polite and resist (the leash helped), but wow, it took every ounce of my self-control.
There are plenty of benches along the trail, perfect for taking a break, sharing a snack, or just sitting quietly to enjoy the scenery. About halfway along, we came across the Sussex Bark Park, a fenced dog park tucked beside the walkway. No dogs were visiting today, but I was more interested in what surrounded it—huge, open fields for disc golf! The grass went on forever, and I couldn’t help imagining how much fun it would be to chase a frisbee there. Next time, we’re definitely bringing one. (Note to self: practice catching.)
One feature Mom especially loved was the emergency location markers posted along the trail. Each sign has a number, so if someone ever needs help, you can call 911 and give them the closest marker number to pinpoint your exact location. Smart thinking, Sussex!
The whole walk felt calm and peaceful, with the sounds of rustling leaves, birds calling, squirrels scurrying, and the soft crunch of gravel underfoot. My humans said it was the perfect fall walk—and I have to agree.
Rumor’s Rating
Rumor has it that between the bright leaves, the well-marked trail, and those cheeky squirrels, the Sussex Nature Walkway is a leash-friendly fall favorite for pups and people alike!
Sussex Nature Pathway Trail Pics
Directions to the Trailhead
From Saint John, take Route 1 East toward Sussex and exit at Route 111 (Exit 195) toward Sussex Corner. Continue straight through the roundabout, then turn right onto Leonard Drive. The Sussex Nature Walkway trailhead is located behind the 8th Hussars Sports Centre (arena), where you’ll find plenty of parking.
