Parc national des Grands-Jardins

The trail network of over 30 km can satisfy all categories of hikers. Go and discover a multitude of landscapes: taiga, tundra, deciduous forest, boreal forest, and mountain vegetation. Be sure to see Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes. This mountain offers a unique view of the Charlevoix meteorite crater and Vallée du Gros-Bras.

Come explore the new de La Tour and du Brûlé trails, both located right at the heart of Grands-Jardins in the Lac Arthabaska sector.

Periods:

• Le Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes, La Chouenne, Le Pioui and Le Gros-Pin: year-round (during winter, snowshoes are required)
• Le Boréal, La Pinède, Le Pionnier, Le Pommereau, La Chute, La Tour and Du Brûlé: May 19 to October 9, 2017

Table of trails

Parc national des Grands-Jardins is a renowned fishing spot that has been popular for over 100 years. It’s one of the rare areas in Québec offering native trout exclusively. Some sixty lakes in 4 accommodations sectors offer fabulous fishing for all type of anglers. Lakes are assigned by our fishing experts who customize the choices to each customer. Connoisseurs will appreciate our delicious native speckled trout, the reigning master of our fishing lakes, paradise for discerning anglers.

Details:

• Arrival : 5 p.m.
• Departure : 12 p.m.
• Catch and possession limits: : 
  • 15 trouts including 5 arctic char (maximum); limited quotas apply on certain lakes.

Period: see the Fishing Package with Accomodations

Documentation

Fishing-camping is offered in Pied-des-Monts and Arthabaska campgrounds. For more details, consult the package including campsite, boat, and fishing access rights.

Periods:

• Pied-des-Monts campground
  • May 19 to September 4, 2017
• Arthabaska campground
  • June 9 to September 4, 2017

Documentation

Day-fishing enthusiasts can now take advantage of a wider selection of waterways. A section of Rivière Malbaie, from km 14 to km 20, is reserved exclusively for daily wade fishing. A number of access points to the river have been set up to help anglers get in and out. A magnificent fish-filled river to be discovered!

Ten fishing pools on Rivière des Enfers have also been accessible for daily wade fishing. A 3 km trail runs along this river as far des Enfers Pool.

In addition, lakes Bouillie, Carré, des Castors, Pemmican, Hébert, Pointu, Chaudière, des Îles and Turgeon, known for their abundance of brook trout, are now open for day fishing. Watercraft are available for novice anglers on all eight of these exceptional waterways.

Period: May 26 to September 4, 2017

Rates

Day Fishing Plan – 2017

Documentation

Discover the great “water gardens” by canoe! Become an explorer...canoe Lac Arthabaska all the way to the Wabano dam. This beautiful 4-hour round-trip circuit goes through many aquatic environments that are home to a diversified and rich variety of plant and animal life. Ask for the self-discovery guide (free) to better understand what's around you. This is an ideal place for an encounter with a moose!

You can rent canoes by the hour, half day (4 hours) or full day. You can rent the boats at the Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes Visitors Centre (km 21) or at Arthabaska Discovery and Visitors Centre.

Period: May 26 to October 9, 2017

Grab your paddles! Discover our course which will lead you to the Wabano dam, passing by Des Îles lake. This pleasant 4-km round-trip in calm water goes through many aquatic environments that are home to a diversified and rich variety of plant and animal life. Ask for the self-discovery guide (free) to better understand what's around you. Be attentive and discreet. Unforgettable encounters are frequent! Rental by the hour, half day (4 hours) and full day.

Period: May 26 to October 9, 2017

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 (in French only) for guided discovery activities. Rental by the hour, half day (4 hours) and full day also available.

Park national des Grands-Jardins is an ideal spot for many animal species, such as black bears, moose, woodland caribous, grey wolves, red foxes, porcupines, Common Loons, lynx and Spruce Grouse. Keep your eyes peeled to see the some of the park’s many inhabitants, from the smallest to the largest!

The self-discovery guide, “Secrets Behind the Scenery” offers you the opportunity to explore the Arthabaska/Wabano circuit at your own pace by canoe or by kayak. The guide contains a host of information, including a chart presenting the different behaviours of animals you might see along the circuit according to the summer month. This self-discovery guide is free with any boat rental on Lac Arthabaska.

Ice fishing will be offered again on Lac Étang-Malbaie in February and March 2017. Ice fishing is offered by the day and to guests. To go fishing, visitors and cabin guests must get a right of access for fishing (reservation required). Our employee will drill holes in the ice for you.

Ice fishing is also available on Lac Sainte-Anne, but only for guests staying in the Benjamin-Simard and Joseph-Girard cabins.

Details:

• Parking beside La Galette hut at km 34.5 on Route 381. From mid-December to late March, La Galette hut is left unlocked and heated at all times and there are pit toilets nearby. It’s a 1.5 to 2.5 km snowshoeing hike or ski to the fishing area. Since there is no fishing shack, you’ll be fishing outside, directly on the ice.
• 3 fishing holes per person
• Daily catch limit: 15 speckled trout (Guests in accommodation must leave their catch declaration on the table in the cabin. For day fishing, you must leave your declaration in the green self-perception terminal located outside of La Galette, near the stairs.)
• Provincial fishing license required (not available on site)
• Reservations required. Places limited to 10 people per day.
• The park does not provide any fishing gear
• You can rent snowshoes at the park (at the Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes Visitors Centre during business hours)
• Information and reservations: 418 439-1227

Rates (day pass plus taxes):

• Fishing right of access: $18.13 /pers.

Periods (depending on ice conditions):

• January 28 to March 26, 2017: every day

Sixty-four (64) kilometres of snowshoeing trails will take you through this snow-draped forest and show you the tracks of its wildlife. Lovers of nature and fresh air will be charmed by the unforgettable decor of this patch of Québec's far north. You can stop over at the Lac Pointu huts, which are accessible everyday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, for resting or having an indoor meal by the roaring fire of a wood stove, in the quiet of the forest.

A must this winter, Le Pioui, Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes, Le Gros-Pin and La Chouenne trails. Snowshoers will be amazed by the beauty of the scenery and the succession of viewspoints featuring snowy valleys, rocky cliffs and barren mountain peaks. A dazzling spectalce from the very first kilometres.

Access to the trails

• Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes Visitors Centre (km 21 of Route 381). Operating period
• Thomas-Fortin Visitors Centre (km 31 of Route 381): The snow is removed from the parking lot, but the Visitors Centre is closed. 
• La Galette Hut (km 34.5 of Route 381): The place is left unlocked and heated at all times and there are pit toilets nearby.
• Pied-des-Monts campground (km 19 of Route 381). 

Snowshoes and telescopic poles rental is available when the Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes Visitors Centre is open.

Period: early December to late March

Map of winter trails (in French only)

Long circuit suggestions

The backcountry skiing circuit cuts across a spruce stand and occasionally follows park roads. The trails are marked but not mechanically groomed. You can stop for a breather at the huts by Lac Pointu, which are open every day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for resting or having an indoor meal by the roaring fire of a wood stove, in the quiet of the forest.

Access to the trails

• Thomas-Fortin Visitors Centre (km 31 on Route 381). The snow is removed from the parking lot, but the Visitors Centre is closed. 
• La Galette hut (km 34.5 on Route 381). The place is left unlocked and heated at all times and there are pit toilets nearby.

Period: early December to late March

Map of winter trails (in French only)

Long circuit suggestions

Rock climbing in Parc national des Grands-Jardins is intended for traditional rock-climbing enthusiasts. The walls of Mont de l’Ours and Mont du Gros-Bras feature beautiful lengthy climbing routes. Both walls can be accessed by way of a trail.

Mont du Gros-Bras

• Type of rock climbing: traditional
• Climbing wall: 25 climbing routes, from 5-6 to 5-11
• Parking: accessible by Route 381 (km 21) at the beginning of the trail leading to the climbing wall
• Access restriction (peregrine falcons): since 2013, climbing routes 1 to 17 have at times been temporarily closed from June 1 to August 31 in order to protect the nesting of the breeding pair.

Mont de l’Ours

• Type of rock climbing: traditional
• Climbing wall: 9 climbing routes, from 5-6 to 5-9+
• Parking: accessible by Route 381, at the Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes Visitors Centre. Take Le Pioui trail and turn right at the sign for the climbing wall.

Access

• Mandatory right of access (self registration post, the Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes Visitors Centre or online).
• All climbers must descend by way of the climbing wall and not stray off the trail.
• Period: year-round (depending on weather conditions), from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m.

General recommendations

• You should be trained by an accredited organization specializing in teaching and mastering climbing techniques.
• You should never climb alone.
• You should have personal safety equipment that is in good shape and appropriate for the sport (rope, helmet, harness, climbing shoes, snap hooks, descenders, landing mats, etc.).
• You should have a first-aid kit.
• You should have a cell phone.
• You should read the emergency procedures posted in the site parking lot and at the foot of the climbing wall.
• You should be ready to undertake your own evacuation without seeking outside help from the park and/or local emergency services.

For more details, contact the Fédération québécoise de la montagne et de l'escalade (FQME) at 1-866-204-3763.

The backcountry of Grands-Jardins is an inviting stretch of forest sculpted by fire and legend-filled mountains! In the summer, the surprising course of Rivière Malbaie will lead you across the park from the western edge to the northernmost point. In the winter, the snowy ground and immobile tree-stump silhouettes will confuse your shadow.

Summer

Hiking is the only way to reach the Mont de l’Enfer sector in the north-west part of the park. Primitive camping is authorized there. At over 1,100 metres in altitude, Mont de l’Enfer is the park’s highest peak. This sector also has an impressive fault that’s part of the park’s folklore: Faille de l’Enfer (Fault of Hell).

The north-east sector of the park features rugged terrain and dense forests interspersed with burnt-over areas. This sector is accessible to hikers, and primitive camping is authorized here.

Canoeing is allowed on Rivière Malbaie. There are launch sites on Lac à Jack (km 25 on Route 60) and at La Roche campground, the only place where camping is allowed on this circuit.

Summer backcountry area (in French only)

Winter

The sector west of Mont Lac à Moïse is accessible via Gros-Pin trail and Route 60. This sector offers beautiful mountainous landscapes in a mixed forest setting. A network of old forest trails is perfect for off-trail skiing and snowshoeing.

The central sector of the park is great for long snowshoeing or off-trail skiing treks. It is bordered on the east by Route 381 and winter trail number 3. It touches the southern and northern boundaries of the park and is bordered on the west by Route 605. Crossed by several waterways, notably Rivière Malbaie, this sector is a rich mixture of valleys and rocky ridges, tight rows of conifers, and open burnt-over areas.

Winter backcountry area (in French only)

Reservation Terms and Conditions

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

Access and parking

Periods:

• Summer: from Patriot’s Day Monday to the Friday after Thanksgiving.
• The Mont de l’Enfer sector does not open until July 15.
• When access involves using Route 62 or when activities take place on the edge of Réserve faunique des Laurentides, users must comply with the limitations of hunting seasons (no access to hunting sectors in the wildlife reserve, circulation restricted to certain times, hunting bibs must be worn, etc.).
• Winter: from the 3rd week of December to the 3rd week of March

Ride through the Arthabaska lake on a stand Up Paddle board. Hawaiian in origin, stand up paddling is an activity that combines surfing and kayaking. This board, designed for calm water, is longer, wider and thicker than standard surfboards designed for waves, and therefore more stable. Standing on a big surfboard, paddle in hand, you can test your balance. It’s fast and easy to learn, and it’s guaranteed fun! 

Rental includes the board, the paddle, and a life jacket.

Period: May 26 to October 9, 2017

Discover the via ferrata circuit on the prestigious Mont du Lac des Cygnes. Two safe itineraries, equipped with beams, a bridge, etc., provide an opportunity to explore fascinating environments with spectacular views.

You'll navigate the rock face safely and at your own pace. Accompanied by a professional guide during the entire hike, participants will enjoy an exclusive experience in a small group (8 pers. maximum).

Period: June 10 to October 9, 2017

Trails detail - 2017 Season

Via ferrata Mont-du-lac-des-Cygnes trail (in French only)

Rates

Book

A place for conservation and education, Parc national des Grands-Jardins 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 four 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 ...