Three regions boasting wide-open spaces for you to explore.

Follow in the footsteps of our early explorers in the vast territories of the Laurentides, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Outaouais. Stretch your legs and clear your mind in the heart of nature: on the water, along trails, underground and even up in the air.

1570 km

Immerse yourself in the history and wide-open spaces of western Québec, travelling by car and enjoying excursions by foot, seaplane and canoe.

Days
9
Destinations
3
Activities
18

Regions

Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Laurentides
Outaouais
Day 1

A day where nature and culture meet

Hiking in Parc national du Mont-Tremblant

Québec’s oldest national park is a gigantic playground with 6 major rivers and 400 lakes. Hit the trails in the Diable Sector and spend the night in a cottage or campground. Be sure to book ahead.

Outdoor and Indigenous experience at Kanatha-Aki

There’s lots to choose from at this Indigenous-inspired site: horseback riding, fishing, a day with a trapper-woodsman or an encounter with a herd of wood bison. You can even sleep in a teepee or shelter.

Day 2

The Laurentides, from above and from the water

Seaplane tour with Air Mont-Laurier

Board an Air Mont-Laurier seaplane and soar above the forests and lakes in the Hautes-Laurentides area. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Parc régional Kiamika and of the magnificent Baskatong reservoir (320 km2).

Kiamika reservoir excursion

How about a carbon-neutral getaway? Known for its environmentally friendly ecolodge, Aventures Kiamika organizes canoe excursions on the Kiamika reservoir. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll spot a bald eagle.

Day 3

See the Hautes-Laurentides from Ferme-Neuve

From the mountain to the inn

Paroi de l’Aube is one of four mountains in Parc régional Montagne du Diable. The reward for hiking up its 4.2-km trail to the summit is the stunning view of endless forest. Come fall, the colours are spectacular!

Overnight stay in the Montagne du Diable forest

This park has so much to offer: more than 80 km of trails, fishing, kayaking, swimming, mountain biking, canoe-camping... wow! Lots of lodging options are available in or near the park.

Day 4

In the bowels of Val d’Or and the survivors of Amos

Descend into a mine at Cité de l’Or

Abitibi has gold in its veins! Dressed as a miner, enjoy the unique experience of descending 91 metres into an underground mine at Cité de l’Or and learn about the daily life of miners from that era (1935).

Meet the wolves at Refuge Pageau

In the afternoon, stop in at Refuge Pageau, which takes in and cares for injured or orphaned wild animals. You will encounter moose (they’re taller than you think!), wolves, bears, foxes and more.

Day 5

Rouyn-Noranda and its natural and cultural heritage

Parc national d’Aiguebelle: nature at its best

Cross a bridge suspended 90 metres in the air, climb a dizzying staircase to the top of the escarpment, scale a peak or paddle a canoe. You may even cross paths with a moose on the trail. Parc national d’Aiguebelle has no end of surprises.

Magasin général Dumulon, a trip back in time

When Abitibi was first colonized, pioneer Jos Dumulon opened a general store in 1924. Rouyn-Noranda's first business is now a heritage site and takes you back to life as it was in the 1920s. An authentic experience!

Day 6

The treasures of Témiscamingue

Once upon a time at Fort Témiscamingue/Obadjiwan

The Fort Témiscamingue/Obadjiwan national historic site tells the story of the 200-year-long rivalry between French and English settlers for control of the fur trade, against the backdrop of a millennia-old Indigenous presence.

Parc d’Opémican: of water and legends

This new national park abounds with family activities: camping, mountain biking, swimming and canoeing on Lac Kipawa. It also boasts a playground, a rally for kids and accessible trails (wheelchairs, strollers, etc.).

Day 7

On the Outaouais side: Bryson and Mansfield

Rafting for thrill seekers

A full day of white water fun on the Ottawa River. The Rafting Momentum adventure includes two meals, a night of camping and a thrilling ride down tumultuous rapids. Heart-pounding excitement, rushing water and laughter guaranteed.

Adventures in Chutes Coulonge Park

Boasting 50-m-high waterfalls and a canyon, this park's tree-top obstacle courses, zip lines and via ferrata will have your heart racing. You can also learn about the history of log driving on the rivers.

Day 8

A day in a magnificent museum and park

Canadian Museum of History

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Visit the Canadian Museum of History to explore the nation’s rich cultural heritage and learn how it came to be. Kids will enjoy the Children's Museum. While Canada may be young, it has a millennia-old history that began with its Indigenous peoples.

Nature and heritage in Gatineau Park

The National Capital Region is home to an immense park just a few minutes from Gatineau. Visitors can enjoy biking, camping, climbing, hiking, kayaking and fishing, and can also visit the Mackenzie King Estate and Lusk Cave.

Day 9

Living like royalty or sleeping with the wolves in Montebello

Photo-safari in Oméga Park

Visit Omega Park and head out on a safari (camera in hand!) to observe wild animals in their natural habitat: bison, elk, bears, deer, wild boar, wolves… Admire the wildlife from your car along a 15-km road or enjoy two walking trails totalling 6 km.

Sleep with the wolves or luxuriate at the Château?

The choice is yours: after you’ve visited Omega Park, stay and spend the night in a cabin amidst the wildlife, or cap off your day at the luxurious Fairmont Le Château Montebello, the world's largest log cabin.

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