Discover winter hiking destinations in Quebec to enjoy the trails and snow-covered landscapes.
Before heading out, make sure you have all the essential hiking equipment with you and take the necessary precautions to enjoy the trails safely.
Mount Olivine, Gaspésie
Mount Olivine, located in the Gaspésie National Park, is part of the Chic-Chocs mountain range. The loop of about 11.5 km culminates on a bare summit which offers a panoramic view of Mount Albert and the Sainte-Anne River valley. The hiking trail, with an elevation gain of 445 m, is difficult. The further you go towards the ridge, the narrower the trail becomes. It is important to wear good hiking shoes!
This 7.4 km out-and-back trail is located in Sutton Natural Environment Park. You can reach one of the highest surrounding peaks at an altitude of 968 m, where you will have a clear view of the St. Lawrence plains, the Montérégie hills, and Lake Champlain. On the trails, you might be lucky enough to spot Bicknell's thrushes, small forest birds. Keep your eyes peeled, they are very discreet. Throughout the ascent, you can walk along magnificent snow-covered trees, also known as snow ghosts. However, this rather steep trail is for experienced hikers. Don't forget your hiking poles!
The Vallée Bras-du-Nord cooperative is a very popular destination in the summer for its mountain bike trails and all its other outdoor activities. In winter, it also offers a multitude of outdoor activities, including winter hiking. You will have access to 9 trails accessible in boots, crampons or snowshoes depending on the elevation and the amount of snow on the ground. It's the perfect destination for a family activity as well as for hikers looking for a new challenge. The trails vary from beginner to advanced, with very varied distances from 5 to 30 km. There's something for everyone! If you want to make the fun last, each hiking trail is located near accommodation.
The Dôme trail, located in the ZEC des Martres, is an ideal winter hike for intermediate hikers. This 7.8 km loop is part of La Traversée de Charlevoix, a long-distance hiking trail. You can enjoy an impressive snowy landscape with a view of Baie-Saint-Paul, the St. Lawrence Estuary, and the surrounding mountains over 1000 m in altitude. If you want to extend your hike, go to the summit of Orignal and Saint-Michel for a total of 10.3 km.
Monts-Valin National Park, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
This destination is a classic for winter hiking in Quebec, specifically the 6.5 km Vallée des Fantômes sector. You can admire a unique, enchanting landscape where trees covered in several centimeters of snow transform into snow ghosts. You will feel like you've been transported to another world. Don't forget your snowshoes. The enormous amount of snow necessitates the use of snowshoes to move around easily and safely. In winter, this area of the national park is only accessible by shuttle, so it is important to reserve your spot before your stay.