10 hiking trails to challenge you this summer

🥾 : 11.2 km (round trip)

L’Acropole‑des‑Draveurs is a legendary trail in Parc national des Hautes‑Gorges‑de‑la‑Rivière‑Malbaie. With an elevation gain of 800 metres—just over four times the height of Place Ville Marie, or two and a half times the height of the Eiffel Tower—it’s a real challenge for hikers. The reward when you reach the top is worth the effort, however, as the view of the valley will leave you speechless.

🥾 : 9.5 km (loop)

Parc national d’Aiguebelle is home to spectacular rocky cliffs formed billions of years ago. L’Aventurier’s loop runs along these cliffs as it circles Lac La Haie. When you get to the famous suspension bridge, be sure to take a break and look out over the vast expanse of wilderness.

🥾 : 6 km (loop)

This unique trail is only accessible in summer at low tide. Parc national du Bic's Cap‑à‑l’Orignal Loop runs along the banks of the river on rugged, rocky terrain, making for a challenging, but incredibly scenic trek.

🥾 : 5 km or 11 km (round trip)

For a different view of the Jacques‑Cartier valley, we highly recommend climbing the Les Loups trail to the first lookout point. More intrepid hikers can satisfy their thirst for breathtaking scenery by continuing on to the second lookout point overlooking the Sautauriski River valley. Please note, however, that this trail has a limited capacity. Access will be denied once the maximum number of hikers has been reached.

🥾 : 11.8 km (round trip)

The Pic‑de‑l’Aube trail is a gem in many respects. Whether for its gentle ascent, its majestic view of the Chic‑Choc Mountains or the fact that it’s not too crowded, there are many good reasons to set out and conquer this mountain in Parc national de la Gaspésie.

🥾 : 7.7 km (loop)

Renowned for its stunning 360° panorama of forest and farmland, Parc régional du Mont‑Ham, which is part of the Route des Sommets, has trails to suit all tastes. The longest route starts with an ascent on the Button trail and ends with a descent on the Panoramique trail.

🥾 : 8.2 km (loop)

This intermediate route, which combines three essential trails in Parc national du Mont-Tremblant leads to a lookout point perched on the mountainside. In summer, you have front-row seats to admire Lac Monroe and the surrounding greenery, while in fall, the trees take the spotlight with their flamboyant colours.

Bonus: your four-legged friends can tag along too.

🥾 : 8.2 km (loop)

This difficult route with its 1,268-metre climb is part of the famous Sentier International des Appalaches (SIA) and takes you on a journey to the Far North through a landscape of vast expanses of alpine tundra. Its summit offers a spectacular view of the Chic-Choc Mountains. But bear in mind that this is a trip into a protected environment, as Mont Jacques-Cartier is an important habitat in the home range of Gaspésie caribou. Access is therefore subject to certain rules so as to avoid disturbing these magnificent animals.

🥾 : 15.4 km (round trip)

The highest peak in southern Québec, at 1,193 metres, is Mont Gosford, which is also part of the Route des Sommets and has 40 km of hiking trails. The Sommet Gosford trail will push you to your limits over its 15.4 km (17.7 km if you opt for the loop), but you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama… provided you climb the observation tower too!

🥾 : 19.4 km (round trip)

This last advanced hiking trail is for pros only! This is the ideal trail for crossing the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountains, with a 655-metre ascent that offers a magnificent view of the eastern part of the Manicouagan crater lake and René-Levasseur Island. But bear in mind that once you reach the summit, the trail ends, and venturing on without orienteering equipment is ill-advised. Not to mention that doing the round trip in one day isn’t recommended.