As we embarked on a road trip in late September, Ross and I had the opportunity to experience the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Québec. Our adventure took us hiking through national parks, marveling at the stunning fjords of the St. Lawrence River, and paddling through the serene waters by kayak. The route we followed was a scenic journey from Québec City north to Monts-Valin National Park, then east to Tadoussac before returning back to Québec City for our flight home.
Highlights of our trip to Quebec:
Imago Village, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region
Imago Village, nestled within the breathtaking Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, lies approximately 3.5 hours’ drive from Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) in Québec City. The rustic yurts, heated with limited electricity and running water, offer a serene retreat amidst the stunning surroundings of Monts-Valin National Park. We were fortunate enough to experience our first yurt stay at Imago Village, and it exceeded our expectations.The unique aspect of these yurts is their bubble window at the top, situated directly under the bed. As you drift off to sleep, you’re treated to a starry night sky or soothing rain above, while remaining cozy warm within the yurt’s confines. Falling asleep to the gentle patter of rain was a highlight of our trip.We stayed in the blue yurt, aptly named Oslo, which is available for booking. A thoughtful touch included stocking our fridge with breakfast essentials, allowing us to start the day with a stunning view and enjoy coffee and breakfast right within our yurt’s walls. The national park itself is just a 30-minute drive away, making it easy to embark on a hike or explore the surrounding wilderness.
Monts-Valin National Park
As we ventured into the Monts-Valin National Park, the landscape unfolded like a canvas of endless possibilities. Our pre-arranged guide awaited us at the park’s Discovery Center, where we collected our lunch boxes for the day. The park’s vast expanse beckoned us to explore its highest peaks and take in the breathtaking views on offer. We embarked on a well-maintained trail that reached an elevation of 950m, which Ross and I found to be an easy and enjoyable hike with our knowledgeable guide by our side. He regaled us with stories about the national park’s unique features and pointed out stunning viewpoints along the way. Later, one of the guides drove us to the top of the trail, and we descended on foot, covering a total distance of 10 km that day. The second viewpoint stood out as my personal highlight, despite the less-than-ideal weather. The vibrant colours of the changing leaves were a treat, a phenomenon we don’t often experience on the west coast. Sharing this experience with Ross was an added bonus, as we both relish hiking adventures together. Post-hike, we warmed up by the fire at the Discovery Center over a steaming cup of coffee, reflecting on the day’s escapades and already planning our next adventure.
Hiking in Monts-Valin – What to Wear
As Ross and I embarked on this hike, our trusty Merrell Flex hiking shoes proved to be the perfect companions for the day’s adventure. The waterproof feature came in handy, as we encountered both rain and muddy terrain – twice, in my case! Our guide couldn’t help but chuckle at our misadventures, which only added to the humor of the situation. Despite the minor setbacks, we were grateful to have arrived prepared with essentials from a store in Saguenay, after discovering that our luggage had failed to materialize. The next day’s errand proved to be an opportunity to explore the city and indulge in some much-needed coffee at l’Erudit Café, where we savored delicious almond milk lattes. With caffeine-fueled energy, we returned to Imago Village for a peaceful evening in our yurt.
The Pourvoirie du Cap au Leste Resort
The Pourvoirie du Cap au Leste Resort offers an Instagram-perfect setting, boasting picturesque hiking trails and a stunning Saguenay Fjord panorama from its expansive terrace. While Ross and I didn’t have the pleasure of staying here, we did venture down to the lighthouse along one of the resort’s trails – a quick 30-minute jaunt! I’d relish the opportunity to return on a clearer day, allowing us to fully appreciate the view from the vantage point of the resort’s scenic deck. The weather didn’t cooperate during our visit, but I envision future excursions yielding breathtaking vistas.
My Trip to Quebec Vlog
For those interested in witnessing my excursion to Quebec firsthand, I’ve shared a vlog that can be accessed via the link provided or by visiting YouTube for an even more immersive experience. Prior to embarking on this unique adventure, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Ross Radcliffe for accompanying me and graciously sharing his photography and video skills.
The Saguenay Fjord National Park
The Saguenay Fjord National Park in Sacré-Coeur is a stunning marine park that stretches along the shores of the fjord, boasting the longest fjord in Eastern Canada. This impressive bay and majestic fjord are divided into three sectors: Baie-Éternité, Tadoussac, and Baie-Sainte-Marguerite, all accessible year-round.For nature enthusiasts, the park offers a range of activities, including hiking, nautical pursuits, and beluga whale watching at the Halte du Béluga. The scenic hike from the Discovery Center to the Halthe du Béluga takes approximately 2.5 hours. Visitors can also take in the breathtaking views while crossing the Saguenay Fjord on the ferry, which connects Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac. The year-round service offers a swift 10-minute journey.
Tadoussac
The Côte-Nord region is a nature lover’s paradise, boasting an astonishing 13 species of whales, including the majestic blue whale. These gentle giants can often be seen mere yards from the shore, offering a thrilling opportunity to observe and even capture breathtaking photos. For outdoor enthusiasts, this region offers a diverse range of activities, from hiking and wildlife observation to sea kayaking and fishing. Whatever your passion, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience exploring the Côte-Nord.Tadoussac Bay serves as the gateway to this magnificent region and is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque bays in the world. As a popular tourist destination and key stop along the Whale Route (Route des Baleines), it’s no surprise that visitors flock to its shores. Situated at the confluence of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and Charlevoix, Tadoussac Bay is a must-see destination.Our stay at Hotel Tadoussac, nestled at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, was nothing short of enchanting. This legendary Québec hotel has been welcoming guests for over 70 years, offering an unparalleled blend of old-world elegance and unique architecture. The charming village of Tadoussac, with its quaint charm and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, is a mere stone’s throw from the hotel.
St. Lawrence River Sea Kayak Excursion
As we embarked on our adventure, a highlight was scheduled to be an afternoon of sea kayaking with Mer et Monde Ecotours. The excursion commences at Les Bergeronnes and spans approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, allowing us to take in the breathtaking views of the sunset while paddling to the rhythm of the tides. With any luck, we might even have caught a glimpse of some whales. Unfortunately, the trip didn’t quite pan out as planned due to strong winds that rendered sea kayaking unsafe. Nevertheless, this served as an excellent reason to revisit and make the most of our experience. When faced with bad weather, there’s no better way to pivot than by seeking out a great meal and conjuring up a new plan for the day. Our afternoon at Pick Up Grille in Tadoussac was a real treat, boasting some of the best burgers we’ve had the pleasure of savoring. With the rain having cleared and the sun shining brightly, we decided to spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the area, reveling in the beauty that surrounded us. As nature lovers at heart, we thoroughly enjoyed our time by the water, taking in the spectacular views that this place has to offer. Our trusty Merrell water shoes proved to be the perfect companions for our shoreline excursion.
The Saguenay – Saint-Laurent Marine Park
As we explored the Saguenay – Saint-Laurent Marine Park, a National Marine Conservation Area in Quebec, we were struck by the unique opportunity to witness whales, seals, and seabirds up close from the shoreline. The park’s location at the confluence of the Saguenay River and St. Lawrence River offers breathtaking views of nature, including potential sightings of magnificent blue whales. Beyond whale watching, visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as sailing, hiking, and fishing.While in the area, we stopped by the Cap-de-Bon-Desir Interpretation and Observation Center to learn more about the marine environment and its inhabitants. The park’s vastness left us in awe, and we were grateful for the chance to experience it firsthand.On our final day, we made the journey back to Quebec City, taking a ferry across the Saguenay Fjord between Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac. The free ferry service leaves every 20 minutes, making it a convenient option for travelers.As we drove back to the airport, we stumbled upon a picturesque lake with fall foliage starting to change colors. It was the perfect setting for some last-minute photography and a chance to reflect on our wonderful experience in Quebec. I wore the Siren 3 Vent from Merrell during this trip, which will be available soon.Although we would have liked more time to explore the areas we visited, we still managed to fit in hiking, visiting two national parks, learning some French, and enjoying delicious local cuisine. As with any road trip, there was a lot of driving involved, but having a great playlist made it all the more enjoyable.I’ll be sharing more photos from my trip in future posts, so keep an eye out for them. This trip to Quebec has been sponsored by Tourisme Quebec and Merrell, and I appreciate their support.