East Coast Trail Mix

Written By Marc LeBlanc

This past summer, our family set out on a journey that took us from Ontario through New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and back through Quebec. With five of us and our dogs in tow, we had a lot of ground to cover. Last summer, my youngest son and I devised a plan: whenever we travel, we’ll always try to hit the local trails. The prospect of returning to some of my trail roots in New Brunswick and PEI was too tempting to resist. So, off we went, and this blog will give you a glimpse of the trails we rode and the fun we had along the way.

I had a rough plan in mind, focusing on three key trails, but we ended up exploring four, each unique in its character. Our journey took us through the rooty, rolling hills of Rockwood Park in Saint John, NB, the rocky challenges of McIntosh Run in Halifax, NS, the red dirt flows of Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park in Brookvale, PEI, and finally, the technical delights of Mont-Arthabaska in Victoriaville, Quebec. For me, riding these trails was more than just a series of stops—it was a homecoming. New Brunswick and PEI are where my love for mountain biking began, and revisiting those trails was like reconnecting with an old friend.

Return to Rockwood Park, Saint John, New Brunswick:

View out to the Saint John harbour from atop MacKay Skyway trail

Rockwood Park is one of those places that’s woven into the fabric of Saint John, NB—a sprawling natural playground offering trails that cater to riders of all skill levels. Check out the history of Rockwood Park here. Returning to this park was a personal milestone; I grew up about half an hour away and spent countless hours grinding on these trails. Riding them again with my son was a surreal experience—it felt like time had stood still. The rocks, roots, jumps—it all came rushing back.

Classic trails like the Lily Lake Cliff trail, Carnage, and Corduroy were still there, almost unchanged from the late '90s. It was like meeting old friends after years apart. But we also ventured into newer sections, including the gravity park, where runs like High Tide offer loop-after-loop of downhill fun—so much fun, in fact, that you almost forget about the slog to get back up top. We also tackled MacKay Skyway, a thrilling ride that parallels the McKay highway. With plenty of downhill features and jumps, it’s a trail that makes you earn your fun, with climbs that burn your legs and technical sections that keep you on your toes.

Rockwood Park remains well-marked, with clear signage to guide you, making it accessible to both new and experienced riders. Stick to the trail classifications, and you’ll find something to suit your skills and give you a great ride. Aside from riding, hop over to the City Market for some fresh lobster rolls, or grab a bite at the Reversing Falls Restaurant overlooking - you guessed it - the Reversing Falls, it’s a whole thing.

McIntosh Run (“Fight Trail”), Halifax, Nova Scotia:

Next, we hopped over to Nova Scotia, where McIntosh Run—known to some as the old “Fight Trail”—awaited us. Explore more about McIntosh Run’s origins here. The weather wasn’t ideal that day, but we were determined. McIntosh Run is a massive network that seems to stretch endlessly, with rocky routes sprawled across the landscape, each one calling you to explore.

The rocks here are something else—big, rounded granite slabs that test your skills in ways that are both fun and humbling. Getting up and over these rollers smoothly is key, but thankfully, they offer grip like no other. A cool feature I loved were the painted arrows on some of the more technical rock sections, subtly pointing out the best lines to take.

We didn’t get nearly enough time to soak it all in, and I’m already planning a return visit to see what we missed. The trail strikes a perfect middle ground—not too technical, not overly climb-heavy, just a great mix of everything. My son’s review? “More jumps would make it perfect.” We’ll be back.

Final regret here - forgetting my goPro mounts at our AirBNB, guess I’ll just have to go back and ride the trail again. Shucks.

Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park, Brookvale, PEI:

Brookvale holds a special place in my riding history. I lived in Charlottetown in the early 2000s, and this was our main spot for hitting the trails. [For a deeper dive into Brookvale’s history, click here.] Coming back after so many years felt both familiar and disorienting—like remembering a dream but with all the details a little off. The aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in 2022, which tore through the area, was evident, but the amount of rebuilding done since is nothing short of impressive.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the new mountain bike park above the parking lot—an awesome addition with different runs, jumps, and staged drops that let you push your limits at your own pace. The machine-groomed trails were top-notch; some familiar, some new, but all flowed beautifully. PEI may not have mountains, but don’t be fooled—the hills come at you fast and steep. I like to call them “disgusting” in the best way—short but brutal, and enough to keep you honest.

The singletrack is pure flow. You just kind of let go, and before you know it, you’ve drifted from one trail to another without even realizing. It’s like the trails were designed to just let you lose yourself in the ride—and that’s exactly what we did.


Mont-Arthabaska, Victoriaville, Quebec:

This ride was a spontaneous bonus, decided on the fly as we headed from Saint John, NB, to our first stop in Drummondville. Picture this: a 10-hour drive, five people, two dogs, all packed into a five-seater pickup. Naturally, you start looking for any excuse to break up the journey, and Trail Forks served up Mont-Arthabaska as the perfect detour.

Built into the side of Mont-Arthabaska, this network did not disappoint. The trails are a delightful mix of flowy downhills and technical challenges, all wrapped in the maple syrup lines that crisscross the landscape. We stumbled upon some well-placed drops that were just enough to get your heart racing but not intimidating. And the real surprise? A jump park right at the base—an unexpected gem that added a fun twist to our stop.

While nothing here was overly steep, the trails had a nice, fast flow going down. Of course, what goes down must come back up, and the climbs were a slow, grindy affair. Still, the thrill of the descent made every climb worth the effort. Mont-Arthabaska was the perfect way to punctuate a long day on the road and gave us just enough of a riding fix to keep the drive home feeling a little less daunting.

And then, just like that, we were home. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have hit trails across the East Coast provinces, reconnecting with places that represent my roots as a rider. Making a deliberate effort to explore different trails with my family has been deeply rewarding, not just for the rides but for the memories we’re creating together. Sharing the love of the trail with my youngest son on paths where I cut my teeth as a rider was a gratifying experience—both as a father and a fellow enthusiast.

These moments are about more than just riding; they’re about strengthening family bonds and meeting other riders along the way. Each trail tells its own story, and it’s the people you meet that bring those stories to life.

Thanks for reading, and here’s to the next adventure. Happy trails!

Marc LeBlanc
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Trail Nutz: Where the Love for the Ride Begins