Charlevoix
The Charlevoix region of Québec spreads northeast along the St. Lawrence river. The terrain in this area is lovely with rolling hills, beautiful vistas of the St. Lawrence River and quaint villages that dot the landscape. Generally speaking, once you leave the town of St. Anne de Beaupré you are considered to be heading into the Charlevoix region.
Whether you intend to hike, bike, kayak or visit from the comfort of your car you are in for a real delight. The trips below are arranged as possible day trips from Québec city which is often a base location for travellers coming to the area.
If you are have questions regarding other possible side-trips from any of these locations then post your question in the comment box. We know that travelers have individual preferences and approaches to travel that may not be covered here so ask away....
PART ONE: St. Anne de Beaupré to Baie Saint Paul
Leaving St. Anne de Beaupré you will find yourself climbing up into the hills where there are numerous opportunities for hiking/snowshoeing.
The Sentier des caps which originate in Sainte-Tite-des-Caps are a series of hiking/snowshoeing trails with amazing views over the St. Lawrence River.
Various sizes of huts/cabins are available and permit hikers to plan shorter overnight trips or longer trips that spread out over 50 kms.
Leaving Sante-Tite-des-Caps you continue to climb on your way up to the well known ski resort, Le Massif. Le Massif has grown into one of the most popular ski resorts in Québec with stunning views over the St. Lawrence and steep pitches for skiing that have drawn the interest of the Canadian ski team who now consider this as their eastern Canada training centre. Often referred to as one of Québec's best kept secret, the ski centre boasts the highest vertical drop east of the Rockies.
A few tips about Le Massif:
It is a one hour drive from Québec city to Baie Saint Paul making it a great day trip. A few tips are available on the following, for this particular area, just click and go:
PART TWO: BAIE SAINT PAUL TO LA MALBAIE and POINTE AU PIC
You have 2 choices at this point, either the scenic water route along Route 362 or the less scenic across country route. The difference can be about 30 minutes between the two so it really is not about time. Some people go there on the 362 and come back across country. I would suggest that as you do have some opportunities to see some interesting farmland on the cross country route.
As you leave Baie Saint Paul on Route 362 you will be arriving in La Malbaie via the village Pointe au Pic. But take your time as the drive is simply stunning. As you climb the hill leaving the town of Baie Saint Paul you will see a lookout spot on the right where you can pull over and get a better sense of the placement of the village in the flats, the St. Lawrence and the lovely little island to the left, Isle Aux Coudres.
Ïle aux Coudres is a great day trip from Québec city or a stop-over on your way to La Malbaie. The drive down the steep road to the little village of St. Joseph de la Rive is quite steep but lovely and then you take a quick ferry over to the island. On the island you can rent bicycles if you like and tour the complete island which is only around 32 km. There is also a road crossing the island at one point which allows you to cut the tour down substantially.
Otherwise, you are on Route 362 and heading through Les Éboulements. Les Éboulements is a small village filled with artists and galleries. Its spectacular geography is in part due to a meteorite that hit the area 350 million years ago!
So slow down and take your time as this small village is also on the list of the Most Beautiful Villages of Québec. The art galleries and shops of Québec city are home to paintings that on a large part show scenes from this very point. Artists flock to this village on an annual basis to capture the river, the hills and the landscape on their canvas.
As you leave Les Éboulements you will soon find yourself heading down to the water's edge and into the lovely village of St. Irenée. This village is hot spot for musicians, beach lovers and hikers during the summer month. There is a great selection of B&B's and Inns for people wanting a real getaway. It is also on the list of the Most Beautiful Villages of Québec.
The drive up and out of the village is a cute windy road which lovely little homes dotting the side. You now begin the climb back up and on your way to Pointe au Pic. Pointe au Pic is now part of La Malbaie but is home to a favourite weekend destination for residents of Québec city, The Fairmont Manoir Richelieu.
A favourite hike for many is the climb up the Acropole des Draveurs where the views are stunning. This is part of a series of hiking trails that are available to you in this area and all stemming from the SEPAQ, Parc National des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie. SEPAQ is responsible for the parks, hiking trails, lodges, and various resorts in the province that cater to the outdoor lover. The system is quite impressive and some of the lodges feature haute-cuisine and amazing outdoor experiences. It comes highly recommended!
PART THREE- POINTE-AU-PIC/LA MAILBAIE to TADOUSSAC
The Charlevoix region of Québec spreads northeast along the St. Lawrence river. The terrain in this area is lovely with rolling hills, beautiful vistas of the St. Lawrence River and quaint villages that dot the landscape. Generally speaking, once you leave the town of St. Anne de Beaupré you are considered to be heading into the Charlevoix region.
Whether you intend to hike, bike, kayak or visit from the comfort of your car you are in for a real delight. The trips below are arranged as possible day trips from Québec city which is often a base location for travellers coming to the area.
If you are have questions regarding other possible side-trips from any of these locations then post your question in the comment box. We know that travelers have individual preferences and approaches to travel that may not be covered here so ask away....
PART ONE: St. Anne de Beaupré to Baie Saint Paul
Leaving St. Anne de Beaupré you will find yourself climbing up into the hills where there are numerous opportunities for hiking/snowshoeing.
The Sentier des caps which originate in Sainte-Tite-des-Caps are a series of hiking/snowshoeing trails with amazing views over the St. Lawrence River.
Various sizes of huts/cabins are available and permit hikers to plan shorter overnight trips or longer trips that spread out over 50 kms.
Leaving Sante-Tite-des-Caps you continue to climb on your way up to the well known ski resort, Le Massif. Le Massif has grown into one of the most popular ski resorts in Québec with stunning views over the St. Lawrence and steep pitches for skiing that have drawn the interest of the Canadian ski team who now consider this as their eastern Canada training centre. Often referred to as one of Québec's best kept secret, the ski centre boasts the highest vertical drop east of the Rockies.
A few tips about Le Massif:
- There are two points of entry to the ski resort, with the first being the entrance to the summit. This is about 45 km. from St. Anne de Beaupré and will place you at the lovely Summit lodge where you will find the restaurant, Mer & Monts. The second entry is located approximately 15 km after the first and takes you down to the base of the mountain and through the little village of Petite-Rivière-St. François. The base lodge has a different atmostphere but equally as fun at the end of the ski day. A large variety of chalets are available for rent in this area if you are interested.
- the diningroom has gorgeous food and phenomenal food. I would suggest you get to the hill early and ski hard starting at 8:30 so that you can quit for lunch around 1:30. You won't be putting your boots back on but you will be enjoying the wonderful choices on the menu and the fine service.
- If you stay in Baie Saint Paul you will have a wide variety of B&B's, inns and restaurants to choose from. In the winter the town is relatively quiet and in the summer it is hopping with artists and a great selection of restaurants.
- In the summer we strongly recommend that you dine at the restaurant Mouton Noire in Baie Saint Paul. Sitting outside on the terrace you can experience local food prepared in traditional style with all the amazing flavour that any foodie could appreciate.
- Also in the summer, a trip to Baie Saint Paul is worthwhile during the International Contemporary Art Symposium. In addition to all the various art galleries that line the main street, the artists are located around the village and on the outskirts painting all the beautiful vistas that the area has to offer.
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| View leaving Baie Saint Paul on Route 362 |
- Dining
- Hotels, Inns and Café-Couette (BandB)
- Things to Do
PART TWO: BAIE SAINT PAUL TO LA MALBAIE and POINTE AU PIC
You have 2 choices at this point, either the scenic water route along Route 362 or the less scenic across country route. The difference can be about 30 minutes between the two so it really is not about time. Some people go there on the 362 and come back across country. I would suggest that as you do have some opportunities to see some interesting farmland on the cross country route.
As you leave Baie Saint Paul on Route 362 you will be arriving in La Malbaie via the village Pointe au Pic. But take your time as the drive is simply stunning. As you climb the hill leaving the town of Baie Saint Paul you will see a lookout spot on the right where you can pull over and get a better sense of the placement of the village in the flats, the St. Lawrence and the lovely little island to the left, Isle Aux Coudres.
Ïle aux Coudres is a great day trip from Québec city or a stop-over on your way to La Malbaie. The drive down the steep road to the little village of St. Joseph de la Rive is quite steep but lovely and then you take a quick ferry over to the island. On the island you can rent bicycles if you like and tour the complete island which is only around 32 km. There is also a road crossing the island at one point which allows you to cut the tour down substantially.
Otherwise, you are on Route 362 and heading through Les Éboulements. Les Éboulements is a small village filled with artists and galleries. Its spectacular geography is in part due to a meteorite that hit the area 350 million years ago!
As you leave Les Éboulements you will soon find yourself heading down to the water's edge and into the lovely village of St. Irenée. This village is hot spot for musicians, beach lovers and hikers during the summer month. There is a great selection of B&B's and Inns for people wanting a real getaway. It is also on the list of the Most Beautiful Villages of Québec.
The drive up and out of the village is a cute windy road which lovely little homes dotting the side. You now begin the climb back up and on your way to Pointe au Pic. Pointe au Pic is now part of La Malbaie but is home to a favourite weekend destination for residents of Québec city, The Fairmont Manoir Richelieu.
 |
| The Fairmont Manoir Richelieu was built in the design of a french château. It also boasts an 18 hole golf course which is considered one of the best in North America. The views and rolling hills make it not only challenging but stunning as well. It also means that it is a hiker's paradise. |
A favourite hike for many is the climb up the Acropole des Draveurs where the views are stunning. This is part of a series of hiking trails that are available to you in this area and all stemming from the SEPAQ, Parc National des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie. SEPAQ is responsible for the parks, hiking trails, lodges, and various resorts in the province that cater to the outdoor lover. The system is quite impressive and some of the lodges feature haute-cuisine and amazing outdoor experiences. It comes highly recommended!
PART THREE- POINTE-AU-PIC/LA MAILBAIE to TADOUSSAC
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