Parc des Laurentides, a breath of fresh air near Quebec City

Published on August 11, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Réserve faunique des Laurentides offers a breath of fresh air just a short drive from Quebec's capital. Covering almost 8,000 square kilometres, the park is home to a boreal forest of majestic fir and silver birch, a multitude of fish-filled lakes and impressive mountain ranges.

Keen hikers will be eager to climb the 1,151 metres to the summit of Mont Belle-Fontaine. Families, couples and solo walkers will enjoy strolling around the park, visiting the various visitor centres and learning more about Canada's vegetation. With the right permit, you can even try your hand at trout fishing in one of the lakes in Réserve faunique des Laurentides. Discover the many possible activities, our advice and accommodation in the Eastern Canada Nature Park.

Lac-Superieur, in the Laurentians, near Mont-Tremblant (not to be confused with Lac Supérieur, 1,000 times larger).

Summary

Réserve faunique des Laurentides in Canada
What to do in the Parc des Laurentides

Réserve faunique des Laurentides in Canada

Réserve faunique des Laurentides is a natural park covering an impressive area of just under 8,000 square kilometres. The reserve is part of Quebec's network of wildlife reserves. They are managed by the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs and the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec. The two founding organisations strive to conserve and protect Canada's biodiversity through wildlife reserves, national parks and eco-responsible tourist establishments. The reserve's countless lakes attract tourists from all over the world, as well as Canadians, to experience the almost sacred peace and quiet of Quebec's natural environment.

Where is Réserve des Laurentides?

Réserve faunique des Laurentides is located in the Laurentides region, a large mountain range in Quebec. The park is 60 km from the capital, Quebec City, and 35 km from Saguenay. It's a popular park because it's relatively close to both cities, especially Quebec's tourist capital.

History of Parc des Laurentides

The history of the wildlife reserve begins with a small dirt track that locals used to reach Lake Saint-Laurent from Quebec City. This path is not passable by car, and it takes three days to cross the 260 kilometres that separate the two places. Over the years, various roads were built through the dense Laurentian forest. The first discussions about a potential nature park began in the late 1800s. The park was created in 1895 by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The park evolved with the construction of Route 175, which ran along the park's borders, and the various structures built to accommodate tourists: first-aid posts, restaurants, chalets, etc.

Parc des Laurentidès, at Lac-Supérieur.

How do I get there?

🚌 By bus

The park is accessible by bus from Quebec City. Intercar offers direct routes from Quebec City to L'Étape, just a few kilometres from the nature park.

The journey ⏰ takes about 1 hour and fares 💰 are between $10 and $20.

🚘 By car

From Quebec City, the journey ⏰ by car takes about 1 hour.

The advantage of getting there by car is that you can explore the park at your leisure afterwards and make the rounds of the information centres and hiking starts.

It's also a good way to find accommodation or a camp for the night; from Saguenay, the journey takes around 30 minutes.

🚗 Hire a car to explore the Laurentian Park

We recommend renting a car at Jean-Lesage airport in Quebec City. The rental counters allow you to collect your car as soon as you get off the plane, so you don't waste a minute.

Check out the Enterprise, Thrifty and Alamo rental outlets at Quebec City airport.

Peace and pleasure, Laurentides Park

What to do in the Parc des Laurentides

Lush hikes in the Laurentides park

Réserve faunique des Laurentides is one of the best places near Quebec City for forest walks, with a wide variety of trails. You can venture to the park's highest peak, Mont Belle-Fontaine, which stands at 1,151 metres. If you prefer a more accessible walk, you can wander among the fir and white birch trees of the boreal forest. Discover the hiking trails and their routes on Alltrails.

Doncaster River Park Trail

We recommend this easy 9-kilometre route along the River Doncaster, which is child-friendly and takes you past riverbeds where you can stop for a picnic or an afternoon of trout fishing.

The trail is open to the public every day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Visit Let's Go Play Outside for more details and photos of this hike in the Parc des Laurentides. You can also hike in the Parc des Laurentides in winter, wearing a pair of cross-country skis.

Les randonnées du parc des Laurentides se font aussi en hiver, chaussé d’une paire de ski de fond.

Trout fishing in the park's countless lakes

As well as hiking, trout fishing is very popular in Réserve faunique des Laurentides, where over 5,000 trout are caught each year. Don't forget to apply for your permit on the Sépaq website.

Cross-country skiing in the snow

In winter, cross-country skiing is one of the main activities in the nature park. Discover the trails for your next outing, how to book your skis and the rates for day passes on the Sépaq website.