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In such a majestic landscape, stunning views reveal themselves at every turn. Across Québec, gorgeous trails are calling, waiting to be discovered. Interested in a long expedition? A meditative stroll? A walk in nature just outside the city? Find your next hiking destination right here.
Destination: Charlevoix
With a landscape carved out by a meteorite 450 million years ago, Charlevoix is a uniquely spectacular sight. Its 600 kilometres of trails and 70 mapped routes invite you to get outside and test your limits. Nature lovers flock to the region to experience its dizzying peaks and glacial valleys first-hand.
Top destinations include the Grands-Jardins and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie national parks. These gems are home to some of Québec’s most famous trails, including the Acropole-des-Draveurs and Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes. Charlevoix is also a dream for long-distance trekkers. The Sentier des Caps and Traversée de Charlevoix trails are excellent for multi-day excursions, whether self-guided or with luggage transport and food drop-off services. Come enjoy a larger-than-life experience!
Where to stay
The municipality of Les Éboulements is home to Hauts Refuges, an eco-friendly campsite offering furnished cabins perched among the treetops. Accessible only on foot, the site’s five huts offer a peaceful retreat tucked away in the boreal forest.
Did you know?
Ski resorts with year-round appeal
Outside the winter months, many ski resorts are transformed into playgrounds for hikers. Throughout Québec, you’ll find trails for every level leading to breathtaking vistas and ski resorts offering up plenty of fun activities. Here, the mountains are a year-round destination!
Destination: Lanaudière
Imagine meandering along on a picturesque trail to the sound of a nearby waterfall. The winding path leads to a cave that looks like the stuff of fairy tales. Forests in Lanaudière possess a magical quality. As you emerge from the woods, you’re greeted by quiet rural communities and villages—just the place to recharge your batteries. If you really want to make the most of the experience, you have options! For a mini Camino, there’s the Grande boucle Zen’Nature a 65-kilometre hiking trail divided into four routes. The Lanaudière stretch of the Sentier national crosses Matawinie from west to east, giving seasoned hikers over 180 kilometres to test their endurance.
Where to stay
Set up on the banks of Ouareau River at Forêt Ô Cascades. The grounds feature tent sites, glamping-ready pods and dream spots for vanlifers.
Reward your efforts
Why not combine hiking and relaxation to enhance your experience? After a busy day on the trails, reward your muscles with a trip to the spa. In Lanaudière, establishments such as Natur’Eau – Spa et Chalets and La Source Bains Nordiques offer thermal spa circuits and therapeutic massages. What better way to recharge than to treat your senses to fresh, steamy air and complete tranquility. The Association québécoise des spas (in French only) is an association for establishments across Québec that marry wellness and the great outdoors.
Destination: Abitibi-Témiscamingue
With untouched nature everywhere, all year round, Abitibi-Témiscamingue has what it takes to become a favourite for any nature lover. Here, 95% of the land is water and forest. After the hike of your choosing—short or long, demanding or gentle—take a dip in a crystal-clear lake.
At Parc national d’Aiguebelle, every hike is an adventure filled with unforgettable moments: crossing a footbridge over a deep crevasse, climbing a fire lookout tower, and more. The vast wilderness of Abitibi-Témiscamingue offers trails for all levels. The Collines Kekeko offer hikers 15 short trails to pick from, or even the chance to test their mettle on the ambitious Transkekeko. Elsewhere in the region, the Récré-eau des Quinze trails offer soothing views, while the elevation gain of the Mont Bell trails makes them a very popular trekking destination for those looking to get their legs moving.
Destination: Gaspésie
Brace yourself! In Gaspésie, hiking is on a whole other level! In addition to the myriad routes that are suitable for all levels, the high mountains feature physically and technically challenging ascents that expert hikers will adore. After all, it’s not like you can reach altitudes above 1,000 metres just anywhere!
The Québec stretch of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) crosses the region for 650 kilometres. With sections ranging from easy to very difficult, the route lends itself as well to day hikes as it does to long expeditions. Many visitors start exploring the peninsula at Parc national de la Gaspésie, where well-known peaks such as Mont Jacques-Cartier and Mont Albert sit alongside lesser-known gems. At Forillon National Park, you can feel what it’s like to walk to the “end of the world” (or close to it) by taking the trail to Cap Gaspé.
Where to stay
A stone’s throw from Chaleur Bay, [ÈST] Éco-cabines invites you to enjoy a site carefully designed to offer every guest their very own little cocoon tucked away in the forest. Apart from its cozy cabins, the site features three private thermal spa stations.
Titre
Immerse yourself in nature on our countless trails
For majestic views of the water, mountains or countryside—and sometimes all three—our hiking trails are worth exploring with friends and family, with your dog, or even solo.
