In late September, Ross and I took a road trip through Québec. Our plan included hiking in national parks, admiring the St. Lawrence River fjords and attempting sea kayaking. We drove north from Québec City to Monts-Valin National Park, continued east to Tadoussac and then returned to Québec City for our flight home.
Here is the route we took for this road trip:
Québec is Canada’s second-most populated province and its vibrant culture, striking architecture and abundant natural scenery give it a genuine joie de vivre. The region’s varied landscapes and cultural richness make it easy to fall in love with the province.
Highlights of our trip to Quebec:
Imago Village, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region
Imago Village in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region is about a 3.5-hour drive from Jean Lesage International Airport in Québec City. The site features rustic yurts tucked into beautiful natural surroundings. They offer basic comforts—heating, limited electricity and running water—while preserving a close-to-nature feeling.
It was our first time staying in a yurt and we loved it. The yurts have a bubble window above the bed, so you can fall asleep feeling like you’re under the stars while staying cozy and warm. Falling asleep to the sound of rain on the roof remains one of my favourite memories from the trip.
We stayed in the blue yurt called Oslo. Breakfast provisions were left in the fridge, so we could wake up to coffee and a view right from the yurt. Monts-Valin National Park is only about a 30-minute drive from Imago Village, making it convenient for hiking day trips.
Monts-Valin National Park
Monts-Valin National Park dominates the landscape of the region and is an excellent place for hiking. At the park’s Discovery Center we met our guide and were given packed lunches for the day. The park offers full-day hikes to peaks with expansive views across the area.
The trail we hiked is well maintained and reaches about 950 meters at its highest point. Ross and I found the route approachable, and our guide pointed out viewpoints and shared local knowledge. One guide drove us to the trailhead near the top so we could walk down, and we covered around 10 km that day.
My favourite spot was the second viewpoint we reached. Even with cloudy weather, the panorama was beautiful and we could see the beginnings of fall colour—something rare for us on the west coast. After the hike, we warmed up with coffee by the fire at the Discovery Center.
Hiking in Monts-Valin – What to Wear
For the hike, Ross and I wore Merrell Flex hiking shoes. They performed well in the wet conditions and proved waterproof—important on an on-and-off rainy day. We both sank into some muddy patches more than once, much to our guide’s amusement.
When we arrived the previous day our luggage had not: a delayed bag meant an unexpected detour to Saguenay to pick it up. Luckily we managed to buy clothes for the hike before the store closed. Travel rarely goes exactly as planned, but that’s part of the adventure.
While in Saguenay we stopped at l’Erudit Café for almond milk lattes before returning to Imago Village for the evening.
The Pourvoirie du Cap au Leste Resort
The Pourvoirie du Cap au Leste Resort offers beautiful scenery and photo-worthy views. The resort’s trails are great for a short hike, and its terrace overlooks the Saguenay Fjord. We didn’t stay overnight, but we hiked a trail down to the lighthouse in about 30 minutes. On a clearer day I’d return to explore more and enjoy the terrace views.
My Trip to Quebec Vlog
You can watch my Quebec vlog below or view it on YouTube for higher quality.
Many thanks to Ross Radcliffe for joining me on this trip and for capturing photos and video.
The Saguenay Fjord National Park
The Saguenay Fjord National Park in Sacré-Coeur stretches along the fjord’s shores. This marine park features an impressive bay and the longest fjord in eastern Canada. The park is open year-round and divided into three main sectors: Baie-Éternité, Tadoussac and Baie-Sainte-Marguerite.
At Saguenay Fjord National Park you can hike, try nautical activities and learn about beluga whales at the Halte du Béluga. From the Discovery Center it’s about a 2.5-hour walk to the beluga observation area.
Also worth experiencing is the ferry crossing between Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac. The short, roughly 10-minute crossing runs year-round and is a convenient way to cross the fjord entrance.
Tadoussac
The Côte-Nord region is known for its dramatic nature and is among the best places to see St. Lawrence whales. Thirteen whale species can be spotted here, including the blue whale, and they often come close to shore, creating unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Tadoussac Bay is a gateway to the Côte-Nord and one of the world’s most beautiful bays. It sits at the confluence of the Saguenay and St. Lawrence rivers and is a highlight on the Whale Route. On this trip the weather limited our whale-watching opportunities, but the area remains an outstanding destination for outdoor activities like hiking, sea kayaking and fishing.
We stayed two nights at Hotel Tadoussac, which sits at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord. The hotel’s classic architecture and seaside village location make it a charming base for exploring everything within walking distance.
St. Lawrence River Sea Kayak Excursion
We planned an afternoon sea kayaking trip with Mer et Monde Ecotours departing from Les Bergeronnes. The excursion usually lasts around three and a half hours and offers the chance to paddle with the tides and watch for whales. On our day the wind made conditions unsafe, so the tour was cancelled—another reason to return.
When plans change, the best remedy is a good meal. We enjoyed burgers at Pick Up Grille in Tadoussac and spent the afternoon exploring the shoreline and scenery. Our Merrell water shoes were ideal for walking along the coast.
The Saguenay – Saint-Laurent Marine Park
The Saguenay–Saint-Laurent Marine Park is a national marine conservation area where the Saguenay and St. Lawrence rivers meet. It focuses exclusively on protecting and interpreting a marine environment, offering opportunities to learn about whales, seals and seabirds from accessible shoreline viewpoints.
Blue whales sometimes come close to shore here, and the park’s scale and wildlife make it a breathtaking place to visit. We stopped at the Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Center while in the area to learn more about the local marine life.
On our final day we drove back to Québec City for our flight. The ferry between Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac runs every 20 minutes year-round and is free, which made our return route easy and scenic.
After the ferry we found a picturesque lake and stopped for photos with the early fall leaves in the background. It was a perfect autumn day to explore on our drive back to the airport. I wore the Siren 3 Vent from Merrell on the trip, which will be released soon.
Although more time would have allowed us to explore the region in greater depth, we still had a memorable trip: we learned a bit of French, ate well, hiked in two national parks and experienced a new part of Canada. As with any road trip, plan for driving time and bring a great playlist.
I’ll share more photos from this trip in future posts, so stay tuned.
This trip to Quebec post was sponsored by Tourisme Quebec and Merrell. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me.