Hartland: Covered Bridge, Culture and Trails

Hartland brings together a defining chapter of its history and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors: the Hartland Covered Bridge, a gallery, and several paths and trails offer different experiences. You can choose from culture, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and hiking for your trip.

The Covered Bridge and the Market

The Hartland Covered Bridge officially opened on July 4, 1901. It is designated as a National Historic Site of Canada and a Provincial Historic Site. Its side walkway was added in 1945. The bridge itself therefore tells several chapters of its history; its wooden architecture is also the focus of a special visitor experience during the Hartland Covered Bridge Market. On the first weekend in August, the bridge is closed to traffic so visitors can go inside and see the historic wooden architecture.

The Hartland Covered Bridge Market takes place every year on the weekend of New Brunswick Day. On Monday, the market features stalls run by local artisans, food vendors, and craftspeople. If you want to plan your trip around the market, you can make this recurring event a focus of your visit. The view of the bridge and the market are different parts of the experience: one centers on the wooden architecture, while the other showcases the stalls.

Gallery and Local Tradition

The W.W. Craig Gallery’s ongoing exhibits include Premier Richard Hatfield’s parliamentary—or legislative—desk and personal items belonging to Dr. Walter Chestnut. These exhibits connect the gallery to political and personal stories. The gallery also hosts traditional English teas several times a year. Together, the exhibitions and tea tradition add a cultural dimension to the historic encounter with the Covered Bridge.

Trails and Paths for Active Days

The Becaguimec Trail Association created and maintains the Becaguimec trail system for mountain biking. You can access it via Highway 105; another access point is behind the Hartland Arena. For orientation, note that these are two specified access points. Snowshoe hikes on the Becaguimec Trails, however, start at the playground behind Hartland Community School. If mountain biking or snowshoeing is to shape your trip, you can distinguish between these different activities and their respective starting points when planning.

Hikers also use the Upper St. John River Valley Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail, which runs through Hartland. The Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club also has walking trails and stretches for 6,609 yards along the rolling hills above the Saint John River. These details point to different ways to enjoy the outdoors without combining them into a single route: a long-distance trail that runs through Hartland, paths at the club, and the mountain biking trail system are all separate options.

Discover nearby places: Wilmot, Centreville, Wakefield, Jacksonville, Florenceville-Bristol.

For the broader travel overview: Carleton County.