Just 25 minutes from Downtown Fredericton, on Route 640 between Hanwell and Harvey, is a perfect two-hour (or less), wind-sheltered, family-friendly paddle in a landscape right out of a Tom Thomson painting. In complete wilderness, it’s an easy 6 km up and back loop (3 km each way) on the northeast side of the road. This route is particularly spectacular in the middle of the summer as you’ll be paddling through gardens of flowering lily pads. In May-June, you’re travelling along banks of flowering Rhodora. Although it is a short paddle, you’ll encounter no less than five beaver lodges and several beaver dams. There’s another slightly shorter loop easily accessed from the other side of Route 640. It’s a hidden gem and rarely paddled.
Nearby, paddlers will also find the beautiful Harvey Lake, with a municipal public launch site. Combining the Hurley Loops with a paddle on Harvey Lake makes for a great day on the water.
Key Highlights
- Community: Harvey
- Route Type: Loops & Lakes
- Number of segments: 2
- Difficulty: Easy, deadwater
- Total Distance: 6 km (3 km each way) south loop; 2 km (1 km each way) north loop.
- Seasonal Information: All-season, spring until late fall (particularly beautiful early to late summer)
Hurley Corner South Loop
Hurley Corner North Loop
Nearby Amenities
- Eagle’s Rest Campground
- Queens County Inn and Restaurant