6 Quebec Hikes So Surreal You Won't Believe You're Still In The Province
The haunting beauty of our province is truly something to behold. If you're serious about hiking, and I mean Gore-Tex serious, this is the article for you. When it comes to Quebec hikes, there are some spots where few humans tread. Where the rhythms of nature (not your smartphone) hold sway over your appointments, where there are no paved roads, no busy streets, no honking horns, no smoggy skies, no nothing.
Just thousands of square kilometres of pristine wilderness where you can have a truly unique experience, and we're here to let you know where those are.
Hiking in these parts can mean serious trekking – spiritual journeying if you will – not for the faint of heart.
There won't be a lot of fancy restaurants or hotels where you're going. It'll be sleeping on the land, under the stars, thousands of kilometres from civilization for you, so you'll have to plan properly and bring the appropriate gear but that's all part of the fun.
You'll see, as you make these journeys, that the priorities of life will come into sharp focus and the mundane worries of your life will melt away.
Pingualuit National Park
Pingualuit National Park is a massive provincial park located in the Ungava Peninsula. Within this sub-Arctic paradise is the Pingualuit Crater, one of Quebec's natural wonders.
It was created by a meteorite strike about 1.4 million years ago. Inside the crater is Pingualuit Lake, which is known as "The Crystal Eye" by Inuit because of its exceptional purity.
The trek around the crater can be done in a day and there are a number of other hikes in the area as well.
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Kuururjuaq National Park
Why not take a multi-day hike along the Koroc River amidst the mystical Torngat Mountains, the highest in North America, east of the Rockies, in far off Kuururjuaq National Park?
The Koroc-Palmer loop is a nine-day affair that will take you through wild country where you're likely to see wolves, bears and caribou.
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Blanc-Sablon
Named for the kilometre-long stretch of sandy beach along its shore hiking near the community of Blanc-Sablon can be epic.
There are a number of trails in the area that offer good opportunities for whale watching, iceberg viewing and berry-picking.
Tursujuq National Park
Tursujuq National Park is the province's biggest national park, covering 26,107 square kilometres of pristine wilderness.
Located near the Inuit community of Umiujaq, you can explore this amazing place with the support and expertise of park staff.
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Manicouagan Reservoir
Known as the "eye of Quebec," this area is dominated by massive impact crater that is over 200 million years old, which has formed a massive ring-shaped lake that looks pretty wild from the air.
The region also boasts a vast offering of hiking trails and many ecosystems to explore.
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Gaspesie National Park
This could be the most beautiful place for Quebecers to play in the mountains. There are a number of going through the Chic Choc Mountains, where you're likely to catch a glimpse of some wildlife.
Now get out there and have fun.
We strongly advise that before you go hiking or visit any location, you check the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, weather, and closures. If you do plan to visit a location, respect the environment.