Currie Mountain

Currie Mountain in Douglas, New Brunswick (15 min drive from downtown Fredericton) is the place to go if you're looking for a slightly challenging but not too strenuous 1 hour hike.  You'll find it across from Happy Apple Acres (http://happyappleacres.com/), which deserves a visit all on its own.  Here is a view of what you'll see on the left side of the road as you park on the shoulder and get ready for your hike... see the St. John River flowing in the background!

Not only do the kind folks at Happy Apple Acres have delicious apples, an amazing view and a gorgeous hike on their property, they also have bees! You can sit and watch the bees work away here at the top of the hill before or after you start your hike on the mountain.

You'll find the entrance to the trail about halfway down the hill, just before you get to the apple trees (you'll see the opening to the trail on your right).  If the owners of the apple orchard are out working in their yard when you arrive, be sure to introduce yourselves - they are very kind and personable. They own and maintain most of the trails you'll be hiking in, and although they are very generous to hikers and don't mind visitors, it is appropriate to ask their permission to hike as well as to be very respectful of the beautiful trail system they take care of.

The trail is wide and mostly smooth, although, of course, you will come across some root-y and rocky areas. This time of year is especially beautiful as the trails are covered in gorgeous red, yellow and orange leaves! The smell was fantastic!

 You'll find all kinds of delightful surprises along your way!

The trail winds all around the mountain until you reach the top. It is home to deer (we saw one flying away with his white tail bouncing!), rabbits, and possibly moose (not sure?). My husband's Geology professor at UNB informed his class that Currie Mountain is actually a long dormant volcano so it is a great place for searching out different kinds of rocks and seeing how the landscape was formed. There are many rocks all over the mountain, especially as you wind closer to the top, that have obviously been formed by layer upon layer of magma. This mini inukshuk is at the very top of the mountain. 

 Another great surprise on the way to the peak of the mountain.

We were there in mid-October 2010, a few weeks after a couple different wind and rain storms. This was evidenced very clearly on the mountain as we encountered tree after tree down.

It is a short hike from the bottom to the top and back; it could take you less than hour or more than an hour if you take your time and really meander around the different trails. A nice early evening hike before or after dinner!