7 natural wonders in Quebec that are even more spectacular in the fall
It's the most colourful time of the year! 🍁🍂
The stunning fall foliage of Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier. Right: L'Étang Baker is a heart-shaped wonder.
Here's a riddle for you: What's orange and yellow and red all over? Answer: Quebec in the fall. Okay, it's not the most clever riddle, but the stunning beauty of Quebec's fall landscape more than makes up for it.
La Belle Province may be beautiful year-round, but there's something extra special about it this time of year. Once the air gets chilly and the leaves begin to sparkle bright reds and golds, the natural wonders of Quebec get just a tad more wonderful.
Étang Baker
Address: Memphrémagog Regional County Municipality, QC
Distance from Montreal: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Nestled in the Eastern Townships between Bolton-Est and Lac-Brome near the foot of Mont-Gauvin, this dreamy lake is the ideal fall destination and the ideal place to fall... in love. L'Étang Baker is a literal heart-shaped lake, so perfectly carved into the land that it doesn't take a hopeless romantic, an active imagination, or strong psychedelics to see it.
Incredibly, the lake is completely natural, almost like nature took a giant stencil and sketched out a valentine to the world. But don't wait until Valentine's Day to visit, autumn is the time to go. Lined with trees kissed with vibrant red leaves, L'Étang Baker is at its most romantic this time of year. So grab your favourite person or pet, or go solo for a day of self-love, and let this heart-shaped lake warm your heart.
Mont Jacques-Cartier
Address: Parc National de la Gaspésie, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC
Distance from Montreal: 8 hours and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Standing at a whopping 1,268 metres, Mont Jacques-Cartier is the highest mountain in southern Quebec and the tallest mountain in the Canadian Appalachians. Hiking to the top of this mountain would be a feat any time of year, but in the fall, hikers are rewarded with spectacular and colourful views of the land below.
In an artist's palette come to life, the view from Mont Jacques-Cartier is a blend of shimmering blues of the Saint Lawrence, dusty greys of the tundra landscape, deep greens of the alpine trees, and glistening golds of the autumn leaves in the surrounding Parc National de la Gaspésie.
Lusk Cave
Address: Trail 54, Gatineau Park, Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham, Quebec
Distance from Montreal: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: What's that expression? "It's the journey, not the destination." But when it comes to Lusk Cave, especially in the fall, it's both.
The destination is a marble cave as stunning as it is ancient, carved over thousands of years in the heart of Gatineau Park. The journey is the hike to get there. Lusk Cave is only accessible on foot, and the 5-mile hilly trail to the cave is decorated with tall coniferous and deciduous trees, the latter of which shine gold this time of year.
Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay
Address: 91, rue Notre Dame, Rivière-Éternité, QC
Distance from Montreal: 5 hours and 15 minutes
Why You Need To Go: This breathtaking national park lies along the shores of the Saguenay Fjord, which stretches over 100 kilometres, flanked by the park's steep rocky cliffs and mountainous forests.
In the fall, the forests change from lush green to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, creating a colourful backdrop for the fjord below. But it's not just the spectacular fall colours that make Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay a top autumn destination. September and October are peak whale-watching season in the region, with the concentration of whales at its highest during the fall months. Belugas, fin whales, and minke whales can easily be spotted this time of year, swimming beneath the glimmering trees above.
Chute Jean-Larose
Address: 2000, boul. du Beau Pré, Beaupré, QC
Distance from Montreal: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Located at the base of Mont-Sainte-Anne, Chute Jean-Larose is a hidden gem of the Côte-de-Beaupré region.
Even though this 68-metre waterfall is one of the most beautiful in the province and easily accessible by a short hike through picturesque forests, it's a lesser-known tourist attraction, not overrun with crowds, making it the perfect spot for a peaceful autumn afternoon. It may be less popular than the nearby Montmorency Falls, but it is by no means less spectacular. You can take in the falls and the surrounding fall foliage on a 350-step wooden staircase interspersed with rest stops, so you can literally catch your breath from the breathtaking scenery.
Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier
Address: 103, ch. du Parc National, Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury, QC
Distance from Montreal: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Home to one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the province, Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier is stunning any time of year, but in the fall, it really comes alive.
During the autumn months, the park's towering birch trees and sugar maples shine bright red and gold and reflect off the Jacques-Cartier River that weaves through the valley, creating stunning views no matter where you look. But the best view is from the top, so be sure to take one of the park's many hiking trails up the Laurentian Mountains to see it all from above.
Morrison's Quarry
Address: 1780, rte. 105, Chelsea, QC
Distance from Montreal: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: In the summer, Morrison's Quarry is a popular scuba diving and swimming spot, known for its sparkling turquoise water that looks straight out of the Caribbean or a magical fever dream. But in the fall, the quarry becomes even more dazzling, something you almost have to see to believe. The crystal-clear water remains just as turquoise as in the summer months, but in autumn, the surrounding trees absolutely glow with leaves as golden as the water is blue. It's like someone took an already beautiful piece of nature and then filmed it in Technicolour.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.