Quebec

CANADIAN PROVINCE

Explore the Rich Hiking Trails of Québec

Discover Québec, a Canadian province renowned for its vast wilderness, vibrant culture, and a stunning variety of natural landscapes. From the mighty St. Lawrence River to ancient mountain ranges, Québec offers an exceptional array of hiking experiences for enthusiasts of all levels.

Québec Snapshot:

  • Capital City: Québec City (Population: approx. 560,000)
  • Province Population: Approximately 9 million
  • Time Zone: Most of Québec observes Eastern Time (EST/EDT, GMT-5). Note: Some regions east of 63° west longitude use Atlantic Time (AST/ADT) for all or part of the year.
  • Provincial Hiking Organization: Rando Québec
    • (Note: Listing individual directors like Martin Stämpfli (Provincial Director HCEM) is unusual for a general website page. This might be better suited for an “About Us” page if this website belongs to Rando Québec itself, or omitted otherwise.)

Québec’s Diverse Natural Tapestry

Québec’s varied terrain provides a breathtaking backdrop for its hiking trails:

  • Rivers and Lakes: The province boasts over half a million lakes and thousands of rivers. The iconic St. Lawrence River, one of the world’s largest, carves through southern Québec, serving as a vital North American waterway.
  • Majestic Mountains: Two primary mountain ranges define Québec’s topography:
    • The Laurentian Mountains (part of the Canadian Shield) stretch north of the St. Lawrence River, from the Ottawa region to Labrador.
    • The Appalachian Mountains extend south of the river, from the Eastern Townships (including the Sutton Mountains) to the Gaspé Peninsula (featuring the Chic-Choc Mountains).
    • Notable peaks include Mont d’Iberville in the Torngat Mountains (Québec’s highest) and Mont Jacques-Cartier in the Gaspé region.
  • Varied Vegetation: Hikers can traverse diverse ecosystems, from Arctic tundra and taiga in the north to boreal and temperate forests further south.
  • Dominant Terrain: Over 90% of Québec lies within the Canadian Shield, characterized by a vast expanse of exposed, ancient rock, rolling hills, and mountainous terrain.

Hiking Adventures Await in Québec

Whether you dream of a trail past majestic waterfalls, a trek to “the end of the world” on the Gaspé Peninsula, or a circuit around a near-deserted island, Québec has a path for you.

  • For a comprehensive list of hiking trails in Québec, visit: BaliseQC.ca

Major Trail Networks & Long-Distance Hikes

Sentier national au Québec (SNQ) – Québec’s National Trail

Managed by Rando Québec, the Sentier National au Québec (SNQ) is the province’s longest continuous trail in a natural environment, spanning an impressive 1,650 km. Dedicated to hiking, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing, it traverses nine tourist regions from Gatineau in the west to the Gaspé Peninsula in the east: Outaouais, Laurentides, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Québec, Charlevoix, Manicouagan, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Gaspésie.

International Appalachian Trail-Québec (IAT-Qc) (Part of the Sentier national au Québec)

This 650 km (400 mi.) section of both the SNQ and the larger International Appalachian Trail begins in Matapédia. It winds through the Matapédia Valley to Amqui, crosses the stunning Parc national de la Gaspésie (including Mt. Albert and Mt. Jacques-Cartier), and traverses the Réserve faunique de Matane. The trail then descends towards Mont-Saint-Pierre, following the coast to Forillon National Park. Offering excursions from 1 to 40 days with varying difficulty, the IAT-Qc features 64 lodging options (huts, shelters, tent platforms).

  • Reservations & Contact:Phone 418-560-4642 or emailin**@*****at.com.

Featured Regional & Specific Trails

La Traversée de Charlevoix (Part of the Sentier national au Québec)

This challenging 105 km, seven-day trek connects Parc national des Grands-Jardins to Mont Grand Fonds through Charlevoix’s wild backcountry. The route features steep climbs over peaks reaching 850m, offering views of Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie and the Gouffre and Malbaie river valleys.

Les Sentiers de l’Estrie

Developed in the early 1970s, this 200 km network in the Eastern Townships (Estrie) links various peaks of the Appalachian chain, from the US border near Sutton to north of the Stoke Mountains near Sherbrooke. Trails of varying difficulty lead to summits like Mounts Sutton, Orford, and Bald, traversing diverse landscapes. It supports day hikes and multi-day treks, though longer crossings require careful planning.

Les Sentiers frontaliers

Spanning over 150 km along the Canada-US border south of Mont-Mégantic National Park, these trails are divided into two sectors: Mont Gosford and Montagne de Marbre. The ascent of Mont Gosford (1,193 m, one of Québec’s highest peaks) offers 360-degree views. Explore unique forests and enjoy vistas across Estrie, Maine, and New Hampshire from the Sommets trail in the Marbre sector.

Les Monts Groulx / Uapishka

North of the Manic 5 dam, the Monts Groulx/Uapishka massif (over 1,000 m altitude, 5,000 km² area) offers views of the Manicouagan astrobleme (meteorite crater). Marked trails lead to the Provencher massif and Mount Harfang. Expect transitions from boreal forest to alpine tundra, with old-growth spruce. These remote hikes are recommended for very experienced hikers only, requiring enhanced safety measures.

La Boucle Zen’Nature

This 65.5 km trail system offers four distinct routes (7 km to 25 km) crossing Pourvoiries St-Zénon and Trudeau, ZEC des Nymphes, ZEC Lavigne, and Parc des 7 Chutes. It caters to varied tastes, from challenging climbs to educational forest walks, with options for comfortable adventure.

La Route des Zingues (Part of the Sentier national au Québec)

This section of the SNQ winds between Lakes Gagnon and Preston through an ancestral forest. The initial third, outside Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve, includes the Julie and Pine trails, offering numerous viewpoints.

Acropole des Draveurs (Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie)

An 11.2 km loop with a significant 1,233 m elevation gain. The demanding climb is rewarded with breathtaking views overlooking the Malbaie River gorge. The alpine summit offers many spots to admire the dramatic landscape.

Sentier Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes (Parc national des Grands-Jardins)

An 8.6 km loop (439 m elevation gain) offering an excellent introduction to the Charlevoix hinterland and its ancient crater. The trail ascends through unique taiga flora (rare at this latitude) to a panoramic summit view extending to the St. Lawrence River. Option to extend via the Lac Pioui trail.

Trails in Québec’s National Parks

La Mauricie National Park

  • Les Cascades Trail: A short loop through a maple forest alongside a stream, leading to the park’s iconic majestic waterfalls – perfect for a refreshing break. Extend your hike with the intermediate Les Falaises loop (4.3km) for superb views over Wapizagonke Lake.
  • Waber Falls Trail: A full-day expedition combining canoeing on Wapizagonke Lake with a forest hike to the rewarding Waber Falls, where you can relax or take a dip.

Forillon National Park (Gaspé Peninsula)

  • Mont-Saint-Alban Trail: A favorite for many! Starting from Cap-Bon-Ami, a steep first kilometer leads to stunning coastal and forest vistas. An observation tower at 283 m offers exceptional views of the sea, cliffs, and distant Percé Rock on clear days.
  • Les Graves Trail: This trail crosses woodlands and fields overlooking coves, offering chances to spot whales, seals, bears, or porcupines. At Cap-Gaspé, visit the lighthouse atop a 95m cliff and descend to “Land’s End.”

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve

  • L’Anse des Érosions Trail (Île Quarry): Boardwalks guide you past former sea cliffs, through forests, peat bogs, and barrens. Discover splendid monoliths at Anse des Érosions. For a longer adventure, the Le Petit Percé Trail (3.8km) circles the shoreline.
  • Grande Île Trail: For a “Robinson Crusoe” experience, consider an overnight stay. Allow at least 10 hours to hike the island’s circumference, discovering monolith groups like “the Zoo” and “the Château.” Plan carefully due to tides.

Trails at National Historic Sites

Canal Path (Chambly Canal National Historic Site)

Open to walkers and cyclists, this path follows the historic towpath along the Chambly Canal. Enjoy numerous rest areas, admire landscapes, and discover local flora and fauna. Consider a visit to the nearby Fort Chambly National Historic Site.

Nature Trail (Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site)

While visiting the historic Forges, take this trail along the scenic St. Maurice River. Enjoy lush vegetation and beautiful river panoramas. Picnic tables are available.

Natural Landscape of Grosse Île (Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site)

Explore this island, once a quarantine station, on a tour blending nature and history. Discover stunning landscapes, diverse plant life, river views, and poignant historical sites like the Irish cemetery and Celtic cross.

Plan Your Québec Hiking Adventure!

Québec’s trails offer endless discovery. Before you go, always check current trail conditions, weather forecasts, and ensure you are well-prepared with appropriate gear and safety precautions. Bonne randonnée!