Parc national de la Gaspésie

Short Hikes

Trails ranging in length from 1 to 17 km give hikers ample opportunity to experience the park's mountainous environment. High barren peaks, glacial cirques and signs of wildlife are just some interesting elements of these daily hikes.

Period: mid-May to mid-October 2016 (see the table of trails for detailed schedule)

Table of trails

Mont Jacques-Cartier: an outing to a protected area

Mont Jacques-Cartier is an essential habitat in the main living area of the Gaspésie caribou and the best place to observe this mammal.

The following rules govern access to Mont Jacques-Cartier:

• Going off marked trails is prohibited
• Hiking on the Mont Jacques-Cartier trail is authorised only from June 24 to September 30, inclusively
• Hiking on the trail is authorised only between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Departures are not permitted after noon.

A park warden makes sure theses rules are respected.

See the various transportation services we offer

Backpacking

A 100-km trail crosses the park from Mont Logan to Mont Jacques-Cartier. Escape into majestic landscapes featuring barren peaks soaring over 1,000 m high, and snowfall that persists until mid-summer. The route takes you through moose and caribou habitat and is part of the International Appalachian Trail. Passenger transportation service is available.

Periods:

• June 24 to September 30, 2016: La Grande-Traversée (East of Lac Cascapédia)
• June 24 to October 10, 2016: La Grande-Traversée (West of Lac Cascapédia)

Table of trails

Trails map

See the various transportation services we offer

All-inclusive guided excursions with baggage transport on the International Appalachian Trail

Two or four-day guided hikes on the section stretching between the Huard hut (lac Thibault) to the Gîte du Mont-Albert. The package includes the services of qualified guides, hut accommodations, meals, snacks, shuttle bus to the departure point and baggage transport from one hut to the next. One day of preparation can be added just before your departure. 

Details:

• Offered by SIA-QC

Rent a canoe and explore Lac Cascapédia. This type of watercraft is fast and very well suited to long rides on the 4 km lake. In addition, it has significant cargo capacity to carry, among other things, a picnic.

If you have your own watercraft, you can explore other lakes. Head over to Lac Paul or Lac Claude to check out typical park landscapes.

Periods:

• June 24 to September 5, 2016 (boat rental)
• June 3 to October 10, 2016 (personal boat)

Morning on the Water: 50% Off

Staying at a national park this summer? Get 50% off boat rental in the mornings. Simply show your accommodations receipt at the rental centre. Applies to rentals for an hour only. First come, first served! Certain conditions apply.

Rent a solo recreational kayak or a solo sea kayak, watercraft that are stable and easy to steer. Explore the wild rivers of Lac Cascapédia, ideal for moose watching.

If you have your own watercraft, you can explore other lakes. Head over to Lac Paul or Lac Claude to check out typical park landscapes. More experienced white water kayakers can travel down Rivière Sainte-Anne before the salmon fishing season begins on June 15, 2016.

Periods: 

• June 24 to September 5, 2016 (boat rental)
• June 3 to October 10, 2016 (personal boat)

Morning on the Water: 50% Off

Staying at a national park this summer? Get 50% off boat rental in the mornings. Simply show your accommodations receipt at the rental centre. Applies to rentals for an hour only. First come, first served! Certain conditions apply.

The park offers a wider variety of watercraft, including the SUP. Standing up on a big surfboard, paddle in hand, you can try testing your balance. It’s fast and easy to learn, and guaranteed fun!

Periods:

• June 24 to September 5, 2016 (boat rental)
• June 3 to October 10, 2016 (personal boat)

Morning on the Water: 50% Off

Staying at a national park this summer? Get 50% off boat rental in the mornings. Simply show your accommodations receipt at the rental centre. Applies to rentals for an hour only. First come, first served! Certain conditions apply.

Your family will enjoy unforgettable moments on one of our pedal boats. You can pedal along with all your might or simply drift gently near the edge of the lake. Astonishing sightings are guaranteed! Keep your eyes peeled and discover the wonders of  your natural surroundings!

Period:

• June 24 to September 5, 2016 (boat rental)

Morning on the Water: 50% Off

Staying at a national park this summer? Get 50% off boat rental in the mornings. Simply show your accommodations receipt at the rental centre. Applies to rentals for an hour only. First come, first served! Certain conditions apply.

Seven lakes and three rivers (wading) are available for day fishing. A boat is provided on most of the lakes. For the others, a personal boat is required. Anglers can fish for speckled trout, arctic charr and lake trout.

Period: June 11 to September 5, 2016

Day Fishing Plan – 2016

Fishing buffs will appreciate stays offered at the beginning of the season. The cold waters of Lac Cascapédia are ideal for fishing speckled trout and Arctic char. A provincial fishing licence is mandatory.

Period: see the Fishing Package with Accomodations

Are you a fan of salmon fishing? In the upstream sector of Rivière Saint-Anne, salmon fishing with mandatory catch-and-release is practised from June 15 to September 30, 2016. You can fish with waders or from a canoe. A variety of fishing packages with a guide and accommodation are available. Reserve with Destinations Chic-Chocs inc. (in French only)

Balance your energies, release your tension…Enjoy a stay at Parc national de la Gaspésie to refresh your body and spirit. Nestled in the mountains, Ékilibre offers relaxing and therapeutic treatments in a cozy and authentic atmosphere. To relax, recover after a long hike, relieve aching muscles or recharge your batteries, nothing beats a little massage therapy.

You can also purchase ecological and fair-trade products made in Québec. Lounging clothes, body care products, aromatherapy…everything you need to tantalize your senses and bring a souvenir of your experience all the way back home.

The activity takes place in our relaxation lodge just a few steps from Gîte du Mont-Albert and is offered in collaboration with a partner. Information and reservations: 418 763-2288.

Against the backdrop of a winter wonderland, snowshoe buffs can enjoy 13 trails ranging in length from 1.7 to 18 km in the Discovery and Visitors Centre sector and on the grounds of Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs.

Snowshoes rental is available at the Discovery and Visitors Centre

Period: December 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016

Table of trails

Map of winter trails (in French only)

Yoga-Trek with Ékilibre

Guided Excursion with Ski Chic-Chocs: Alpine Snowshoeing

Discover the mountains on snowshoes with a qualified interpretive guide from Ski Chic-Chocs.

Short Excursions

For fans of backcountry skiing, we have 4 circuits that are marked but not groomed. Skiing speed may be reduced considerably if the snow is deep. This circuit's level of difficulty may vary according to the trail you choose and snow conditions.

Period: December 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016

Table of trails

Map of winter trails (in French only)

Overnight Stay

Backcountry skiing enthusiasts can practice this sport on over 190 km of marked trails. After a few hours out on the trail, why not stop at one of the 15 huts spread out along the network of trails? A baggage transport service between huts facilitates movements. For longer trips, we recommend skiing in groups of at least 3 people.

Backcountry ski equipment rental available at the Discovery and Visitors Centre.

Period: December 18, 2015 to April 16, 2016

Suggested backcountry circuits

Backcountry skiing important information

Map of winter trails (in French only)

Parc national de la Gaspésie offers 22 km of groomed cross-country ski trails. The Mont-Albert sector receives over 3 m of snow annually. It is well-distributed between mid-December and mid-March, making for excellent snow conditions all winter long.

Periods:

• December 23, 2015 to January 4, 2016
• February 12 to March 20, 2016

Cross-country ski equipment rental available at the Discovery and Visitors Centre.

Table of trails

Cross-country skiing trail track-setting policy

Map of winter trails (in French only)

Hok skis are very versatile, combining the qualities of cross country skis and snowshoes. They are mostly used off-track. The bottom of the ski is partially covered with a climbing skin for uphill traction. It also has a universal binding that fits several kinds of boots. Hok skis are easy to handle and therefore perfect for beginners. They allow faster off-track movement than snowshoes.

Rent them at the Discovery and Visitors Centre and be among the first to try this unique sport.

Period: December 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016

You can enjoy alpine touring, telemark and snowboarding in the 5 skiing areas, featuring snow fields and glades. These spots are accessible from Route 299, 8 to 12 km south of the Discovery and Visitors Centre

• Mur de patrouilleurs (Mont-Albert)
• Grande-Cuve (Mont-Albert)
• Mont Blanche-Lamontagne (Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs)
• Champ de Mars (Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs)
• Mont Hog's Back (Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs)

Access to these places requires travel by car and a walk varying between 30 minutes and 3 hours. Depending on your destination and your level of physical fitness, it takes, on average, a little less than an hour for each of these climbs. The difference in elevation varies between 100 and 350 m.

Period: December 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016

Table of trails - Approach walk

Table of trails - Snowshoeing

Safety in mountain and information about avalanches

Guided Excursion with Ski Chic-Chocs: Alpine Touring

Discover the mountains on snowshoes with a qualified interpretive guide from Ski Chic-Chocs.

Parc national de la Gaspésie is synonymous with untamed wilderness typical of the Gaspésie massif. The area has steep slopes and deep valleys, characteristic of the Chic-Chocs. The forest here is made up mainly of fir-white birch. It is often young, dense, and a little crowded. There are also more open areas, which make travelling easier. The backcountry zones are chosen to allow visitors to get close to nature, while making sure that these activities do not disturb the Gaspésie caribou.

Summer

In the summer, visitors can explore two sectors. The sector more to the west is vast and has many kilometres of old logging roads, which make it easier to penetrate the area. It extends in a strip along the right bank of Rivière Sainte-Anne to Highway 16. Rivière Sainte-Anne is not part of the backcountry zone.

To the northeast, the second sector is a diversified area dotted with lakes and several logging roads. You can enter the area from the municipalitie of Mont-Saint-Pierre.

Daily access to the whole backcountry area is also an option, excluding the lakes during fishing season (except Lac à Claude).

Summer backcountry area (in French only)

Winter

Three backcountry sectors are open in the winter. To the west, the first sector can be reached via Route 299 or Village Grande-nature. This sector is perfect for excursions of several days. Backpackers can take existing trails and several kilometres of old logging roads that are easily passable in winter.

In the centre, a long strip crosses through the park along Rivière Sainte-Anne. This sector can also be reached from Route 299. The area around Mont Ernest-Laforce is especially interesting.

To the northeast, the second sector is a diversified area dotted with lakes and several logging roads. You can enter the area from the municipalities of Mont-Saint-Pierre and Rivière-à-Claude. This sector can be especially interesting if you take paths on the adjacent public lands.

For daily hikes, the areas that can be reached from Route 299 (La Boussole parking lot and the Discovery and Visitors Centre) offer several possibilities.

Winter backcountry area (in French only)

Reservation Terms and Conditions

To go into the backcountry, it is mandatory to have an access permit. See Reservation Terms and Conditions for all the important details.

Access and Parking

Period: year-round

The Gaspésie Massif, composed of the Chic-Chocs and McGerrigle mountains, supports a variety of plant communities. From balsam fir to yellow birch to alpine tundra, these ecosystems are home to many animal species.

Here are some observation tips:

• Atlantic Salmon
• Birds
• Moose
• Caribou

Whether you’re in the forest or the alpine tundra, it’s very important to stay on the trails to preserve the natural environment and to ensure your safety. Also, when an animal is nearby, it’s best to stop moving and to remain silent so you can enjoy this moment of observation even more.

Check out or program of discovery activities, presented outdoors or at the Discovery and Visitors Centre by our dynamic team of park warden-naturalists.

See the list of birds and mammals (in French only) to learn about other species that live in this magnificent mountainous territory.

Period: year-round

Come to class with our dedicated park wardens or welcome them to your school! The beauty, integrity, and cultural/historical characteristics of this territory have inspired our recreational/educational activities. Aimed at young people in elementary or high school, these activities will help them get in touch with their environment, make them understand its fragility, and take them through a memorable real-world experience...

Graduate students are also welcome at the park. Come for a day or a longer stay in this natural laboratory, where you can undertake a research project as well