The most beautiful natural sites to discover Gaspésie

Located in the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula, Parc national de la Gaspésie (802.2 km²) is a veritable sea of mountains, offering breathtaking panoramic views. A true darling of Quebecers and tourists alike, the park boasts 25 peaks over 1,000 metres in height, including Mont Albert (1,154 metres) and Mont Jacques-Cartier (1,268 metres) - the Chic-Chocs and McGerrigle mountains also run through the park and are popular with outdoor enthusiasts. These peaks, among the highest in eastern Canada, are famous for their subarctic vegetation, identical to that of Quebec's Far North. The same territory is home to a diversity of species unique to Quebec, including moose, white-tailed deer and Gaspé caribou (the only place to see caribou in southern Quebec). Several types of accommodation are available in the park, but we can't overlook the excellent service provided by the Gîte du Mont-Albert inn, nestled in the heart of the park and its emblem.

From Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, take Route 299 South for 40 km (north entrance); from New Richmond, take Route 299 North for 92 km (south entrance). There are several reception points: the Discovery and Services Centre in the Mont-Albert sector, at the north entrance, and two camping points (Lac-Cascapédia reception and Mont-Jacques-Cartier reception).

Discovery and Services Centre (mid-May to mid-October and late December to mid-April): permanent exhibition on the park's geology, subarctic vegetation and unique wildlife. Conferences and film screenings. Store selling and renting camping and outdoor equipment. Find out more here to plan your trip.

Lodging: Gîte du Mont-Albert, chalets, refuges, ready-to-camp tents, Étoile ready-to-camp, serviced camping, winter camping at Mont-Albert campground.

Equipment rentals: watercraft, hiking boots, backpacks, winter camping accessories, mountain snowshoes, Ski Hok, Nordic skis, complete Nordic ski equipment, etc.

Activities: short or long hikes (guided or unguided), nautical activities, fishing by the day or with accommodation, salmon fishing, wildlife observation, snowshoeing, fatbike, cross-country skiing, Nordic skiing, off-piste areas (telemark, alpine skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing). Numerous companies offer additional activities.

Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs (1,129 km²) is divided into two distinct parts: the major part of the territory (1,048 km²) located south and east of Parc national de la Gaspésie, and the other part (81 km²) north of the park. It was created in 1949 in order to preserve an exceptional territory for wildlife and to allow a better use of the territory. The venerable Father Le Clerk exclaimed at the end of the 16th century: "A country full of mountains, woods and rocks". Indeed, this place includes impressive mountains of more than 800 meters including the Blanche-Lamontagne (940 meters), Vallières-de-Saint-Réal (940 meters), Hog's Back (830 meters) and the Brown Mountain (920 meters). The forest is covered with black spruce and white birch stands, and typical tundra vegetation is found on the higher peaks. There are about 40 lakes and many streams and rivers. A truly harmonious nature within the Appalachian Mountains.

Lodging: 15 cottages in five sectors (kayak, pedal boat and barbecue included).

Equipment rental: boats, outboard motors, sale of access rights and permits for hunting and fishing.

Activities: moose, bear and small game hunting, wildlife observation, fishing by the day and with overnight stays, hiking, forest gathering, geological discovery, snow sports (telemark, alpine skiing, snowboarding), snowshoeing.