Quebec Hiking (Mt Jacques-Cartier)

[adamhiker]

After spending a few days hiking in the White Mountains and visiting the city of Quebec, I was hoping to do more hiking in the province of Quebec!

I was wondering how long a ride Mt Jacques-Cartier in Gaspesie Provincial Park is from the city of Quebec? How is the hiking there? Any suggested trails? Is it worth the long trip?

I was also thinking about hiking somewhere a little closer to the city of Quebec. What about Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park or the Laurentides Wildlife Preserve? Any other good mountains, parks or wilderness areas?

Thank you!

 

[ken]

the hike over mont jacques cartier to lake aux americas is highly recommended - you get on a shuttle full of tourists (all speaking french) to the trailhead - then you hike ahead of the tourists (and maybe see some caribou) to the summit tower - you then continue on past a lake, then mont xandu, on to lake aux americas (where you will see more tourists) - - the next day you can do the mont albert loop - - - i like to stay in mont st. pierre which is a very nice spot on the st. lawrence (mont louis is also very nice) - there is a very good seafood restaurant in ste. anne right on the water (near a discovery center) - - it is 6-7 hours from quebec city - - my favorite place to eat along the way is a restaurant chain called st-huberts (try both flavors of cole slaw, they are both delicious and they will bring all that you want) the last 2 st-huberts along the way are in riviere du loop and rimouski - the gaspe peninsula is a very nice place and it is beautiful along the saint lawrence.

 

[spaddock]

Jacques Cartier Park has some pretty decent day hikes. I still prefer the hikes in the ADK's though.

There is a picnic area on the way in and I noticed a cool looking mountain that looked like an interesting climb. I asked one of the Park Information staff about it and she told me there were no trails to the top.

So I decided to go out and try one of the other big hikes they had on the map.... when I passed by that mountain again I saw a trickling stream of water going all the way down the mountain..... to me that's a trail..... I did a U-Turn and made made my way to a trail that walked along the river. I found where the stream emptied out and started hiking right up it. The waterfall got a little steep in parts so I had to bushwack around it. I made it to the top and there was still a little ice and snow at the top (end of May). The way down proved to be tricky but I made it down in one piece with a big grin on my face.

I'm not sure if anyone else ever tried that route, probably, but I liked to at least thing that I was the only person up there in quite some time.

If you're interested in more details about this I'll try and dig up the name of the parking lot I started from.


-Shayne

 

[Ridgerunner]

I second the Charlevoix region

Take a look here for a sampler. Expect a lot of people at the Acropole des Draveurs. But what a nice hike ! The Parc de la Jacques Cartier is not nearly as nice, although it is closer to Québec city.

 

[adamhiker]

Thank you everyone! 6 - 7 hours beyond the city of Quebec is far! I am hoping to hike within 2 - 4 hours of Quebec.

Thank you for suggesting the Charlevoix region. I have done some research and Parc des Hautes Gorges seems to be an interesting park. The Mont Acropole (L'Acropole des Draveurs) trail sounds exciting. Here is a Trail Description

Although a lot closer than Parc de la Gaspie, the roads (especially 381 and the entrance road) look rough. Anyone know what kind of ride to expect and how long a ride to Parc des Hautes Gorges?

Parc des Grands Jardins is slightly closer, but Parc des Hautes Gorges seems a lot more interesting.

I can find a trail listing, but can not find any trail descriptions for Parc Jacques-Cartier.

On the western side of Quebec there is La Mauricie National Park. It looks like an easier road trip. The Les Deux-Criques Trail sounds like a great hike. Here is a trail description Any opinions on this park?

Thank you!

 

[el-bagr]

The roads to Parc des Hautes Gorges aren't that bad in summer. It's the transitional season when they're more challenging. Parc des Grands Jardins is very nice -- a pocket of taiga in Charlevoix, giving a feeling of being farther north than you are -- but the macroscenery and topography are probably less outstanding than the Parc des Hautes Gorges.