Parc national des Monts-Valin

Heavy snowfalls make this park an especially interesting site for snowshoers. The Pic-de-la-Tête-de-Chien trail is a great way to spend the half-day in the fresh air.

For backcountry showshoeing, over 77 km of marked trails are accessible from the Discovery and Visitors Centre, on snowshoes or by Snowcat shuttle (reservation required). The main circuits have a number of huts. This kind of expedition requires good preparation and proficiency in orienteering with a map and compass. The weather is very changeable and sometimes extreme on the highlands.

Snowshoes rental is available at the Discovery and Visitors Centre.

Exclusive! Order your food before your stay: Happy-Yak's ready-to-eat meal.

Period: mid-December to the beginning of April

Table of trails

Map of winter trails (in French only)

Suggested backcountry circuits

Table of distances (in French only)

Further information

Passenger transport schedule

GPS location (in French only)

The scenery is simply magnificent at the foot of the imposing highland! There are classic hiking trails ranging from 2 to 12 kilometres in length, and circuits showcasing alternating lakes and mountains, where you can admire snowy landscapes and barren rock walls.

Six kilometres from the Discovery and Visitors Centre, the Piedmont heated rest stop, perched on a hill offering a superb panorama of the mountain, is the perfect spot for a well-deserved break.

Period: December to March (depending on the snow conditions)

Trail maintenance is guaranteed on Saturdays and Sundays as well as throughout the Holiday season and the March break weeks. Trails are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Table of trails

Map of winter trails (in French only)

Over 71 km of trails (unmarked, non-packed) are accessible from the Discovery and Visitors Centre, on skis or by Snowcat shuttle (reservation required).

The main circuits have a number of huts. This kind of expedition requires good preparation and proficiency in orienteering with a map and compass. The weather is very changeable and sometimes extreme on the highlands.  

Baggage transport service is available for those who want to lighten their load!

Synthetic skins rental is available at the Discovery and Visitors Centre.

Period: mid-December to the beginning of April (according to snowfall)

Map of winter trails (in French only)

Suggested backcountry circuits

Table of distances (in French only)

Further information

Passenger transport schedule

GPS location (in French only)

Hok skis are a versatile gear combines the qualities of cross country skis and snowshoes. They are almost exclusively 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 very easy to handle and are therefore perfect for beginners. They allow faster off-track displacement than snowshoes. Experience this new snow toy invented by a Quebecker, which was inspired by a thousand-year-old activity practiced in the Altaï Mountains.

For rent at the Discovery and Visitors Centre. Call 418 674-1200 to reserve your equipment.

Period: mid-December to the beginning of April (according to snow conditions)

Le Fantôme Express shuttle makes it easy to get to Vallée des Fantômes and our mountain accommodations. Three caterpillar track vehicles are available for winter transportation, making several scheduled departures daily from the Discovery and Visitors Centre. The trip takes an average of 45 minutes.

The service schedule was reviewed and improved with the goal of offering more departures to Vallée des Fantômes (baie d'Alexis sector). Ask about possible itineraries for a memorable day on the mountain trails or a cabin or hut stay.

Book your place at 1 800 665-6527.

Period: December 20, 2019 to March 29, 2020

Passenger transport schedule and rates

Nature lovers appreciate the park’s hiking trails, which are worth discovering! They give hikers a chance to keep exploring new aspects of Monts Valin and offer a variety of different views of the region. The trails vary in length and range in difficulty level from easy to difficult.

Des Pics Hike!

Discover the first hiking circuit on Monts-Valin with over 25 km of trails that literally cross the park from east to west through a variety of landscapes and terrains. Des Pics hike is punctuated by a multitude of peaks, ranging in altitude from 300 to 980 m, and offering magnificent views of the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region. Welcome to the frontiers of the North!

Accommodations and other services available:

• 2 mountain huts, the Pionnier and the Fantôme
• The new Antoine-Dubuc Lodge, fully equipped with water and electricity
• Car shuttle services (June 8 to October 8, 2018) and baggage transport

Period: June to October

Table of trails

Long circuit suggestions

Baggage Transport

Rivière Valin offers canoers an opportunity to admire the mountain from another vantage point. By paddling upriver from the Discovery and Visitors Centre, you'll discover the meanders of Rivière Valin and Étang Bélanger who help make this site a real hidden treasure!

Due to the variable flow of Rivière Valin, it may be closed to protect fry-raising sites in the aquatic grass beds. Please call us at 418 674-1200 to find out if the water level is high enough to practice your activity.

It’s also very pleasant to go canoeing on the Martin-Valin, Leblanc and Laliberté lakes. Canoe rental on site.

You can rent canoes by hour, the half day or full day.

Period: June to October

Canoe-Camping (in partnership with ZEC Martin-Valin)

The territory of Parc national des Monts-Valin is adjacent to that of ZEC Martin-Valin. A huge river system links Lac Martin-Valin, located in the park, to Lac Jalobert in the ZEC. Between the two, a series of lakes and rivers offer great potential for canoe-camping circuits of 2 to 7 days.

The major part of the network is found within the boundaries of the ZEC. Five canoe-camping circuits are available on its territory. These circuits are marked, maintained and generally have tent platforms and pit toilets (on certain sites). These circuits are classified as beginner to advanced intermediate. It takes a 2- to 3-night stay to complete them.

Visit the ZEC Martin-Valin Web site for more information about canoe-camping there: www.zecmartinvalin.com (in French only)

Fishing for speckled trout is authorized in many of the park's lakes and rivers. You'll enjoy whiling away the day on any number of lakes in the Martin-Valin sector.

New! Electric motor rental is now offered.

Period: see the Fishing Package with Accomodations

Documentation and statistics

Lakes are available for day fishing. A boat is provided on most lakes. For the others, a personal boat is required. Anglers can fish for speckled trout.

New! Electric motor rental is now offered.

Period: June 5 to September 13, 2020

Rates

Day Fishing Plan – 2020

Documentation and statistics

Primitive campsites for Fishing-Camping on Lac Martin-Valin are available at the Septentrional campground. See the package, which includes a campsite, a boat and fishing access rights.

New! Electric motor rental is now offered.

Period: June 12 to September 13, 2020

Documentation and statistics

Explore the twists and turns of Rivière Valin and surf standing up on a board with a paddle (Stand up paddle surfing). Originally a Hawaiian sport, stand up paddle surfing combines surfing and kayaking. This board, designed for calm water, is bigger (longer, wider and thicker), and therefore more stable than traditional surf boards designed for waves. Standing on this big board with paddle in hand, you can test your balance. It’s fast and easy to learn, and guaranteed fun!

Rental includes the board, paddle, water shoes and a life jacket. Wetsuits also available for rent.

Period: June to October

Due to its location "on the borders of the North", Parc national des Monts-Valin is home to a wide variety of plants and animals that can be spotted with a little patience and attention.

The park’s vast wildlife is like the park itself:  discreet and worth getting to know better. Many moose, beavers and other mammals use the park’s territory. All year long, they move between Piedmont and the mountain tops in search of habitats that can meet their needs. By canoe on Rivière Valin or by snowshoes in the Piedmont sector, you might have the privilege of an unforgettable encounter.

Amateur and expert birdwatchers are invited to come discover the park’s ornithological characteristics year-round. Over 130 bird species have been recorded in the park. Click here for the list of bird species (in French only).

Throughout the year, especially in the spring, the mountain climate of Mont Valin greatly influences plant growth.   While there are already leaves in the trees in the lowlands, it’s a totally different story in the area’s mountains. On the summit, the buds of certain tree species are just starting to open, while others are in flowering. The awakening scents and colours of the forest will enchant you. Come experience the least-known season in Parc national des Monts-Valin!

Our park warden-naturalists offer discovery activities on the park’s plant and animal life.

Flora and fauna observation and identification guides are available at Boutique Nature.

Period: Mid-June to Mid-October and Mid-December to the end of March

See the list of wildlife at the park

After a 45-minute Snowcat ride aboard the Fantôme-Express along the picturesque and panoramic Bras-des-Canots Road, you will be dropped off at the foot of Vallée des Fantômes. You will already have noticed a radical change in the environment and snow cover, and this is just the beginning!

After putting on your skis or snow shoes, you’ll head out on a moderate-level 3-km trail with a vertical drop of 320 m, which leads to the summit of Pic Dubuc, the highest point in the area at 984 m. From there, the Mont Vallin massif stretches out as far as the eye can see to the north, the Piedmont Hills and the Saguenay Lowlands to the south, and the fjord and the town of Saguenay in the background. A breathtaking panorama!

The Valley Off-Trail with a Guide

Beginners and seasoned hikers alike are invited to get off the beaten track on their expedition to Vallée des Fantômes. Accompanied by a park warden-naturalist (for 10:30 a.m. departures only), you’ll explore areas on the periphery of Pic Dubuc with our expert, featuring an itinerary of valleys, rocky headlands and peaks. Posted at Le Fantôme warming hut, the park warden-naturalist awaits interested visitors several times a week and on weekends. This outing is a great addition to any visit to Vallée des fantômes. The off-trail activity is free (excluding shuttle fees and park entry fee) and is adapted to the weather and skills of that day’s participants.

Welcome to Antoine Dubuc’s House!

When you return to the foot of the valley, a surprise will be waiting for you! You’re invited to the Antoine-Dubuc Lodge, about 500 m away. This is where the Fantôme-Expresse will come pick you up to drive you back to the Discovery and Visitors Centre.

This big log cabin, classified as a heritage building, was built in the early 1950s by Antoine Dubuc, son of Julien-Édouard-Alfred Dubuc from the Chicoutimi Pulp Mill. In collaboration with Le Pulperie de Chicoutimi – musée régional, the building was completely renovated in the summer of 2013. For the benefit of park visitors, during the day the lodge serves as a base camp for visitors to Vallée des Fantômes and surrounding area. What could be better than the warmth of a fireplace and a hot or cool drink and a snack after an expedition like this!

At night, the lodge becomes an upscale cabin for hikers, with a fully-equipped kitchen, two full bathrooms, two big living rooms with a fireplace and a magnificent view of Baie d’Alexis in Lac aux Canots.

Book your place at 1 800 665-6527.

Period: December 20, 2019, to March 29, 2020

Passenger transport schedule and rates

Experience real nature at Parc national des Monts-Valin.

Winter

Winter activities in the backcountry are addressed to seasoned and experienced hikers who are interested in an authentic experience.

Snowshoeing or skiing in total autonomy, you can discover isolated areas of the park, where you’ll feel like you’re the only person for miles around.

It’s important to steer clear of moose yards at all times. They are mainly in the Piedmont sector.

Winter backcountry area (in French only)

Summer

Access to the backcountry of Parc national des Monts-Valin is only authorized in the winter.

Reservation Terms and Conditions

For permission to enter the backcountry, you’ll need an access permit. See Reservation Terms and Conditions for all the important details.

Access and Parking

The main way into the backcountry is through the park’s main entrance on Rang Saint-Louis. There is a parking lot at the Discovery and Visitors Centre. You can also enter the northern sector of the backcountry from the Valinouët ski station, where parking is also available.

Period: December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020

Those bicycles, known as fatbikes, are equipped with oversized tires for ideal traction on snowy or sandy surfaces.

The network offers various looping trails from 2 to 12 km with, halfway, a heated relay perched on a hill that offers a superb panorama on the mountain.

Fatbike rental is available at the park.

Period: December to March (depending on the snow conditions)

Trail maintenance is guaranteed on Saturdays and Sundays as well as throughout the Holiday season and the March break weeks. Trails are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Map of winter trails (in French only)

L’hiver, la poudrerie entraîne d’incroyables amoncellements de neige, enveloppant les conifères d’un épais manteau blanc. Les arbres courbés prennent l’allure de moines en prière ou de fantômes égarés. Lorsque les sommets s’enrobent d’un épais brouillard, d’autres silhouettes se profilent à plus de 900 m d’altitude : ce sont les momies. 

Le long du sentier menant au pic Dubuc, répondez aux questions du rallye des Fantômes et découvrez les secrets de l’hiver au mont Valin. Le garde-parc vous guidera vers la découverte des trésors enneigés de la vallée des Fantômes.

• Centre de découverte et de services
• Du 20 décembre 2019 au 29 mars 2020
• Horaire : tous les jours, de 10 h à 16 h
• Durée : variable
• Gratuit (service de navette en sus)

Plusieurs éléments gratifient le territoire du parc de vifs éclats nordiques et montagnards : relief accidenté, abondance de neige, flore boréale et oiseaux associés aux régions de haute latitude.

Détails :

• Centre de découverte et de services
• L'exposition permanente est accessible aux heures et dates d'ouverture du centre de découverte et de services
• Durée : variable, mais généralement 30 minutes
• Gratuit

La flore des milieux riverains associée au cours sinueux de la rivière Valin présente une grande richesse. Elle recèle de vastes et précieux jardins où prolifèrent plusieurs plantes rarissimes, dont certaines apparaissent sur la liste des espèces floristiques susceptibles d’être désignées menacées ou vulnérables. On y trouve même certaines plantes carnivores, dont l’étrange sarracénie pourpre.

Pagayez sur la rivière Valin et découvrez les richesses de la faune et de la flore. Explorez les nombreuses sinuosités de la rivière et profitez d’un point de vue inédit sur les monts Valin.

Détails :

• Sur la rivière Valin, départ derrière le centre de découverte et de services
• Juin à octobre
• Horaire : tous les jours, selon les heures d'ouverture du centre de découverte et de services
• Durée : variable
• Gratuit
• Canots offerts en location
• Accessible à toute la famille, mais recommandée pour des enfants de 6 ans et plus (les participants doivent savoir canoter)

Le pic de la Hutte atteint 900 mètres. À cette altitude, on remarque l’étagement de la végétation du mont Valin, et la vue exceptionnelle que ce dernier offre sur les basses terres du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean est saisissante et inoubliable. C’est un privilège de pouvoir embrasser du regard une grande partie de la région.

Au hasard d’une rencontre avec un garde-parc, découvrez les impacts de l’altitude sur la faune et sur la flore. De plus, tous les gourmands de ce monde seront heureux d’apprendre que l’on trouve une dizaine de variétés de bleuets sur les sommets…

Détails :

• Au relais du Pic-de-la-Hutte
• Du 10 août au 7 octobre 2019
• Horaire : les samedis et dimanches, de 11 h 30 à 16 h 30
• Durée : variable
• Gratuit
• Activité familiale par excellence!

Situés au cœur de la forêt boréale, les lacs du secteur nord du parc dévoilent aux visiteurs leurs nombreuses beautés sauvages et cachées. Au pays des épinettes et au rythme apaisant des pagaies, vous pourrez découvrir la flore et la faune qui peuplent ce pays aux frontières du Nord.

Procurez-vous un guide d’auto découverte pour explorer les lacs de la forêt boréale à votre rythme.

Détails :

• Centre de découverte et de services
• Juin à octobre
• Horaire : tous les jours, selon les heures d'ouverture du centre de découverte et de services
• Durée : variable
• Gratuit
• Canots offerts en location
• Accessible à toute la famille, mais recommandée pour des enfants de 6 ans et plus (les participants doivent savoir canoter)

A place for conservation and education, Parc national des Monts-Valin 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...

Request for proposal