Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie

Explore the 30 km of trails that wind through our park, ranging from easy to difficult. Raise the curtain on a remarkable territory that wears traces left by time, ice, water and wind. Mountain climbers can meet on the highest peak in the area, Acropole des Draveurs, at 1,048 m in altitude.

For backpacking, see the Traversée de Charlevoix.

Period: May 18 to October 14, 2013 (opening date varies depending on spring conditions)

Table of trails

Visit the national park during a 1 hour cruise aboard Le Menaud, a riverboat that holds 48 passengers. The rear deck is specially designed to make it easy for you to take photographs. The captain and park warden-naturalist will be more than happy to share their little corner of paradise with you.

You can also try the dusk cruise. Many people consider the 6:30 p.m. cruise the best one of the day. In fact, the river often becomes calm at this time, the animals come out, and the play of light on the rocky cliffs is at its height. Come and share these beautiful moments with the riverboat crew!

NEW: Campers in the park get a 20% discount at all times. Ask about it!

Periods:

• May 18 to October 14, 2013
• Dusk cruise: July 6 to August 18, 2013
• Cruise schedule
• Rates

Important: Arrive one hour before departure.

Excursions on the water are a great way to discover all the beauty of Rivière Malbaie: spectacular scenery, its history and its wildlife. In late afternoon, the river calms down, the wildlife gets moving and the play of light on the rocky cliffs is at its peak.

You can rent canoes by the hour, half day and full day at the equipment rental centre, 150 metres behind Le Draveur Visitors Centre.

Are you camping for a few days? You can leave your personal canoe at the equipment rental centre. Inquire about this. It’s free.

L’Équerre Campground, a breath of freedom! Discover an especially magical part of the park 8 km from the Draveur Visitors Centre. The site is accessible by canoe along Rivière Malbaie. You’ll discover one of the most beautiful areas in the park. Enjoy the Équerre package which includes a campsite and equipment rental.

Period: May 18 to October 14, 2013

Kayaking is a great way for visitors to enjoy a magnificent part of Rivière Malbaie, upstream of Des Érables dam.  
Those who paddle all the way to l’Équerre can walk to the foot of a spectacular 45-metre-high waterfall along La-Chute-du-Ruisseau-Blanc trail.  Out on the water, you’ll get a chance to see the impressive rock slides that took place in the Rivière Malbaie valley after the heavy rains of 1996.

You can rent solo and tandem kayaks by the hour, half day and full day at the equipment rental centre, 150 metres behind Le Draveur Visitors Centre.

Are you camping for a few days? You can leave your personal kayak at the equipment rental centre. Inquire about this. It’s free.

Period: May 18 to October 14, 2013

The park offers speckled trout fishing in the following areas:

• On Rivière Malbaie, wading or with a Sépaq boat
• Downstream of Des Érables dam: wading of fly fishing only
• Upstream of Des Érables dam: wading or with a boat, line or fly fishing
• On Lac Noir, with a Sépaq boat
  • To get to the lake, you must drive 12 km in a logging road vehicle.

You can get your provincial fishing licence and your right of access for fishing at the park gatehouse. See operating hours or call 418 439-1227. The quota is 15 speckled trout.

Period: May 24 to September 2, 2013

Day Fishing Plan – 2013

A paved 8-km path (one way)  on a shared route (cars and bicycles), takes you through the beauties of the park from the Félix-Antoine-Savard Discovery and Visitors Centre to Le Draveur Visitors Centre.  From there, you can ride 8 km along the gravel cycling path (one way) to L’Équerre.  If you want to take a break, there are picnic areas along the way by Rivière Malbaie

You can rent bicycles at the Félix-Antoine-Savard Discovery and Visitors Centre or at the equipment rental centre, 150 feet behind Le Draveur Visitors Centre. Baggage and child trailers are also available at the rental centre.

Period: May 18 to October 14, 2013

Table of trails

The rabaska canoe is the perfect watercraft for small group excursions accompanied by a park warden-naturalist. To take part in this activity, see the program guide for guided discovery activities (in French only).

The fish-filled waters of Rivière Malbaie attract several species of fishing birds, including the osprey and the Great Blue Heron. The latter is often seen by riverboat passengers or paddlers who travel the river’s calm waters. It’s is also common to see certain mammals that love the river’s shallow, muddy bottom, such as beaver and moose. Pick up your free self-discovery guide and get to know the wildlife around the river at your own pace. It’s available at the equipment rental centre.

The summit of Acropole-des-Draveurs is a completely different habitat than the valley. This high and arid plateau with characteristics of the Arctic is frequented by a few woodland caribou; every year, hikers on the trail report about fifteen sightings. For a better chance of seeing them, approach the peaks slowly and silently. It’s especially important to stay on the trails to respect their space and preserve the fragile vegetation of the summits, a major part of the caribou’s diet.

Several other animals inhabit the territory. See the list of mammals and birds in the park.

Every winter, skilled climbers take on the Pomme d’Or, a spectacular and perilous rock face along Rivière Malbaie. For permission to climb this ice wall in the park, you’ll need an access permit. Refer to Reservation Terms and Conditions for all the details.

Climbers must be in excellent physical condition and totally independent, since the ice wall is about 30 km from the closest telephone and off the park’s network of roads and trails. Under good weather conditions, it takes a full day of snowshoeing or off-trail skiing to reach the site.

If you are independent, climbing the Pomme d’Or requires a minimum stay of 3 days in the park.

• Day 1: 30 km of snowshoeing or off-trail skiing to get to the foot of the cliff;
• Day 2: climb the ice wall and return to base camp;
• Day 3: 30 km of snowshoeing or off-trail skiing to return to your car.

We strongly recommend bringing a satellite telephone or a SPOT-type emergency message device. There is no emergency telephone on the site in the winter and the cell phone network does not serve the park’s territory.

Before heading off on an adventure like this, see the Your Security section and the ice climbing safety guide.

A place for conservation and education, Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie is a laboratory in a natural setting. 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 six recreational/educational activities. Aimed at elementary, high school or college students, 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...

Consult the brochure School activities (in French only)

The park is near Manoir Richelieu. Why not add a cruise with organized activities on Rivière Malbaie or a hike to your event? Also, the windows in Le Draveur Visitors Centre and the outdoor terrace make this a perfect place for savouring your meal in a fabulous setting.