The most beautiful spots to admire Québec’s fall colours

Fall—that magical time when Québec turns into a giant stained‑glass masterpiece. With a light sweater and a thermos of coffee in hand, head out to explore landscapes brushed in glowing shades of gold, red and orange. To help you choose your getaways, here’s a selection of must-see destinations, organized by region and located outside major urban centres. Hiking trails, lookouts, coastal landscapes, valleys, mountains, national parks and picturesque villages—there’s something for everyone!

Abitibi-Témiscamingue

🍂 Parc national d’Aiguebelle: Rocky hills, suspension bridges and horizons that burst into vibrant colours starting in mid-September. The contrast between the lakes dark waters and the bright deciduous trees is truly striking.

🍂 Mont Chaudron: An inselberg (a German term meaning “island mountain”) that instantly transports visitors back to the ice age with its unique shape, carved by glaciers as they made their way around it. It towers over the landscape as you drive west from Rouyn-Noranda. It’s absolutely beautiful, especially when it’s cloaked in fall colours.

🍂 La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve – Les Chutes-du-Lac-Roland Trail: An easy hiking trail about 2 kilometers long, dotted with interpretation panels explaining how animals and plants have adapted to their environment. Learn as you go, while taking in the scenery right up to a magnificent waterfall where the sound of cascading water breaks the hush of the forest.

Bas-Saint-Laurent

🍂 Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata: The gentle mountains, the lake’s shores and the vast forests create a stunning mosaic of colours. Nestled in the heart of pristine nature and rich heritage, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and families eager for a peaceful break.

🍂 Île Verte:  Amid ancestral homes, fields and radiant maples, the island’s iconic lighthouse (the oldest in the region!) and the river form a striking backdrop. The island also boasts unbeatable views of the Charlevoix mountains and some truly remarkable sunsets.

🍂 Parcs des Chutes and de la Croix: You don’t always have to leave the city to enjoy the fall colours! The impressive 33 meters waterfall in the heart of Rivière-du-Loup is a must-see, and is best viewed from one of the walkways overlooking the river.

Eastern Townships

🍂 Parc national du Mont-Mégantic: Explore the mountain and its colours by day and the starry sky by night! The site’s Observatory sector features 20 kilometers of hiking trails. And you can learn all about the universe at the ASTROLab.

🍂 Parc national du Mont-Orford: The rounded peaks of the mountain range offer incredible views, especially from the summit of Mont Orford. Thanks to the La Flambée des couleurs event, you can take in the fall scenery at Mont-Orford—the ski resort—by riding the gondola.

🍂 Experience harvest time in the vineyards: September and October mark the height of the grape harvest, a magical time to celebrate the fall colours along with the region’s whites, rosés and reds—poured straight from the bottle! With roughly 30 estates in the area, a wine‑tasting getaway is a must.

Centre-du-Québec

🍂 Parc écomaritime de l’Anse-du-Port: Wooden boardwalks lead you through marshes and forests, where the colours are reflected in the calm waters along the shores of Lac Saint-Pierre.

🍂 Balade Gourmande: Throughout Québec’s maple and cranberry country, fall is foremost a season.

🍂 Mountain biking at Mont Apic: With a dozen bike trails and a lift, this mountain in Saint-Pierre-Baptiste offers panoramic views of the copper‑tinged hills as you ride through corridors of vibrant foliage.

Charlevoix

🍂 Parc national des Grands-Jardins: The tundra and taiga landscapes, the bare mountain peaks and the deep valleys create a striking contrast against the rich fall colours. The summit of Mont du Lac‑des‑Cygnes also provides a unique vantage point over the Charlevoix crater.

🍂 Le Massif de Charlevoix: A playground between the river and the mountains (whether you hike up or take the gondola). You’ll be treated to a jaw-dropping view of the St. Lawrence River from the top. A cascade of brilliant autumn hues flows down the mountainside to the river’s edge. Incredibly beautiful!

🍂 Le Train de Charlevoix: A breathtaking show to enjoy from the comfort of your seat. A memorable 125 kilometers train ride with scenery that changes with the tides.

Chaudière-Appalaches

🍂 Parc du Massif du Sud: Mont du Midi offers a sweeping view of the colourful Appalachian Mountains, while Mont Chocolat, with its mouthwatering name, makes you want to take a bite out of autumn! A lengthy hike between the two mountains features several magical lookouts.

🍂 Mont Adstock: A mountain of fun in the land of lakes and mines! Climb up to an open ridge that reveals the region’s amber-coloured valleys. A short but memorable walk. Mountain biking, hiking, golf... there are plenty of activities to choose from.

🍂 Parc des Chutes d’Armagh: Admire the waterfalls framed by glowing fall colours! Exceptional plant life and wildlife, two footbridges—one overlooking the canyon with a dazzling view of the 28 meters waterfall, and the other beneath the viaduct. Goosebumps guaranteed!

Côte-Nord

🍂 Chute Manitou: Just before reaching its mouth, the Rivière Manitou, at the gateway to the Minganie region, flows over three major waterfalls, surrounded by mixed forests glowing with bright fall colours. The Cascades trail and the Chute trail offer views of the scenery on both riverbanks.

🍂 Parc de la Taïga: A short 2 kilometers hike along forest trails that run alongside the Rivière aux Rochers. Easy to get to and great for family walks and birdwatching. A natural lookout provides a perfect view of the powerful waterfall and its torrents of rushing water.

🍂 Whale-watching in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park: The coastal headlands brushed with autumn colour offer an unexpected and striking setting for a scenic whale-watching cruise. With seabird migration also in full swing, it’s the ideal time to glimpse both the masters of the air and the giants of the sea.

Gaspésie

🍂 Parc national de la Gaspésie: This mountainous region bursts into vivid colours, offering some of the most dramatic scenery. And what an array of vistas! Boasting some 25 peaks topping 1,000 meters, the area is known for its rich and varied flora and fauna.

🍂 Parc national Forillon: A whole world of adventures unfolds where the sea meets the cliffs and the forest. Cap Bon-Ami and Mont Saint-Alban, in particular, are worth a visit with a 283 meters high observation tower offering a spectacular 360° panoramic view.

🍂 Gaspésie from the sea: Every excursion—whether by cruise boat, zodiac, sea kayak, paddleboard or sailboat—takes you past the colourful cliffs mirrored in the gulf, where you can spot whales and seabirds.

Lanaudière

🍂 Parc régional de la Forêt Ouareau: Hiking trails bring you to lookouts over radiant valleys, and a paddle down the Rivière Ouareau reveals beautiful fall colours reflected in the river’s swirling currents.

🍂 Parc des Chutes-Dorwin: The park’s waterfall sits cradled in a sweep of intense colour. The trails, dotted with interpretation panels, are ideal for a leisurely stroll.

🍂 Parc régional de la Chute-à-Bull: This park boasts 16.8 kilometers of trails, including one leading to the magnificent waterfall that gave the park its name. Take the time to soak up the views: the Belvédère Refuge offers a cozy perch from which to contemplate the region’s surrounding peaks. Close by in Val Saint-Côme, artisans and autumn enthusiasts converge for the Festival des couleurs, which salutes the season with lively energy.

Laurentides

🍂 Parc national du Mont-Tremblant: A setting in a class of its own! The view from the top of the cliff is truly something to behold, thanks to the via ferrata—a thrilling adventure at a height of 200 meters, featuring beams, rope bridges and suspended walkways over the Rivière du Diable.

🍂 Les Sommets: The brand-new La Place du Sommet, opening on September 26, promises a colourful experience with a series of suspended walkways offering spectacular views of the Saint-Sauveur Valley and surrounding region.

🍂 Sentier des cimes Laurentides: A unique (and dizzying!) spot where you can admire the sweeping view of the forests from a 40 meters high observation tower.

Laval

🍂 Centre de la nature: The gardens, ponds and trails radiate with colour, making it the perfect spot for a family stroll. Longing for that feeling of summer again? Step into the tropical greenhouse for another taste of July without detracting from the splendour of fall.

🍂 Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles: A wildlife reserve and a lush oasis just minutes from the city! Explore the islands and marshes by following self‑guided circuits that showcase stunning fall scenery.

🍂 Bois de l’Équerre: Explore a vast wooded area in one of Laval’s last remaining large urban forests. The scenery changes with every step thanks to the forest’s diverse ecosystems.

Mauricie

🍂 Parc national de la Mauricie: Autumn’s dazzling palette of colours sweeps across the hills, valleys and lakes. A classic fall scene! And the Festival des couleurs features a DJ, singers and several other activities on the weekends.

🍂 Parc de la rivière Batiscan: The trails along the river treat you to gorgeous views of trees glowing in red, yellow and orange. Want a bird’s-eye view of the park? A climbing tower, tree-top adventure courses and zip lines await you!

📸 © R. Sévigny

🍂 Parc des Chutes de Sainte-Ursule: Waterfalls and fall colours—what a combo! Here, the Rivière Maskinongé gives rise to seven successive and very different waterfalls. Some flow down in cascades, others surge between rock walls.

Montérégie

🍂 Sentiers de L’escapade: Admire Mont Rigaud from every vantage point along 27 kilometers of marked recreational trails, accessible free of charge for hiking and horseback riding. From October 10 to 12, you can also enjoy the Festival des couleurs de Rigaud.

📸 © F. Musial

🍂 La Route des Champs: Why limit yourself to one landscape when this bike path between Chambly and Granby treats you to a whole series of stunning vistas? Fields, orchards and hills reveal different facets of the region as it changes colour with the seasons and harvests.

🍂 Réserve naturelle Gault: This research station offers a protected environment where 24 kilometers of trails showcase fall’s vivid spectrum of colours. It’s also home to more than 185 species of birds and several mammals and amphibians.

Outaouais

🍂 Parc de la Gatineau: Known as the “green lung” of the Outaouais region, it spans more than 361 km², and is home to a rich and unique biodiversity. The Champlain Lookout offers a dazzling view of the hills, and the turquoise waters of Pink Lake contrast strikingly with the warm colours of fall.

🍂 Parc des Chutes Coulonge: Around the ledges and falls, layers of colour create a beautiful tableau. Enjoy a cultural and active experience by exploring the trails to spot historic artifacts and learn about log driving, or by making your way along the cliffs on a via ferrata.

🍂 Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon: Looking to take in a mix of forest and agricultural scenery? This is the place! The Mont Grand-Pic lookout and observation tower offer incredible views stretching as far as the eye can see.

Québec, city and area

🍂 Station touristique Mont-Sainte-Anne: There’s no such thing as boredom during fall foliage season! Alpine hiking, mountain biking, golf, paragliding or a ride on the panoramic gondola to take in the incredible scenery! And don’t miss the La Grande Virée des couleurs, which spans four weekends.

🍂 Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier: Home to one of Québec’s most spectacular glacial valleys, the park transforms into a brilliant tapestry of colour every fall. You can explore the site on foot or by water. The two lookout points along the Sentier des Loups offer truly outstanding vistas.

🍂 Canyon Sainte-Anne: Canyon carved into 1.2-billion-year-old rock by a 74 meters waterfall. Thrill seekers, take note: three suspension bridges await you, including one that’s 60 meters high. Psst! Don’t forget Pooch—dogs are more than welcome.

Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

🍂 Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon: The park’s bright contrasts are truly captivating, from the shimmering boreal forest to the copper‑sand beaches and the colourful reflections on Lac Saint-Jean. A postcard-perfect landscape.

🍂 Village historique de Val-Jalbert: A trip back in time! A unique illustration of industrialization, working‑class life and the characteristic layout of an early‑20th‑century company town, set against a backdrop of rich autumn colour. The powerful Ouiatchouan waterfall and the views from the lookout points around it complete this magnificent scene.

🍂 Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay: This park is marked by awe‑inspiring landscapes where nature’s immense power forged a dramatic fjord. The steep cliffs and amber‑toned forests create an eye-catching contrast with the dark waters below. The L’Anse‑de‑Tabatière trail is especially worth exploring.