10 Exciting Trails Near Beautiful Quebec City to Try Out on Your Next Hiking Adventure
There is a variety of trails near or only a short drive away from Quebec City. From trails that will cost you hours and lots of squats as you hike uphill to shorter, flatter strolls, Quebec City has something quiet, peaceful and beautiful to offer in the outdoors. Pack snacks and strap up your boots, bien sûr!
1. Les Marais du Nord
Address: 1100 Chemin de la Grande Ligne, Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury
Length of trail: There are eight loops ranging from 250 metres to 2 kilometres
Estimated Time: 5 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the trail
Difficulty Level: Easy to intermediate
As a wetland, this park has waterfowl and views of St-Charles Lake and Des Hurons River as you hike through the fir forest trails. Bring binoculars for bird watching and a book to read as you unwind on a bench along the water.
Distance from Quebec City: 39 km
2. Parc des Moulins
Address: 8191 Du Zoo, Quebec City
Length of trail (round-trip): 2.3 kilometres
Estimated Time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty Level: Easy
In a wooded area that once housed the Quebec City Zoo, the trails here take you past the remains of seven windmills along the Du Berger River. Even an urban park looks natural here, ensconced in the Canadian Shield.
Distance from Quebec City: 21 kilometres
3. Parc Naturel Du Mont-Bélair
Address: 10 Rue de la Découverte, Quebec City
Length of trail (round-trip): 8 kilometres
Estimated Time: 2.5 hours
Difficulty Level: Intermediate and Difficult
In a densely forested area, this mountain is used for endurance races. Vistas include full views of the St. Lawrence River Valley.
Distance from Quebec City: 30 kilometres, near Shannon, QC
4. Plage Jacques Cartier
Address: 3636 Chemin de la Plage Jacques Cartier, Quebec City
Length of trail: 2.6 kilometres
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty Level: Easy when walking west; Difficult when hiking eastward.
Although located within the urban borders of Quebec City, this park feels like another world. To the west, it feels like the Gaspé Peninsula. You’ll see wild birds and the odd cargo ship.
To the east are an impressive series of stairways heading to the Belvédère Des Ponts. There you are under the massive Pierre-Laporte Bridge. Urban, yes, but it’s a real workout getting there and you connect to Quebec City’s history as the ancient Pont De Québec is also nearby.
Distance from Quebec City: 12 kilometres
5. Parc Natural Régional De Portneuf
Address: 423, Rue Principale, St. Alban, QC
Length of trail (round-trip): There are 14 trailheads in this park
Estimated Time: From 30 minutes to three hours, depending on the trail
Difficulty Level: Easy to difficult, depending on the trail
Next to a rustic campsite, this park follows the Sainte-Anne River through canyon-like gorges. The 9.7-kilometre-long A Ti-Mé path is one of the longest, although there are much shorter paths along the canyon. The canyons were carved long before the Sainte-Anne was dammed, and canoers and kayakers can easily launch after about a one km hike, and paddle downriver.
Distance from Quebec City: 76 kilometres
6. Moulin de la Chevrotière
Address: 109 Rue de Chavigny, Deschambault, QC
Length of trail (round trip): 1.2 kilometres
Estimated Time: Less than an hour
Difficulty Level: Easy
You must park at an area to the right of the mill, marked ‘Atelier’ before walking to the beginning of the trail, hidden behind the ancient, well-loved water mill, now an art gallery. The trail is designed for a mild promenade. Take your time as you stroll and enjoy the works of art that adorn the trail.
Distance from Quebec City: 68 kilometres
7. Station Touristique Duchesnay
Address: 140 Montée de l’Auberge, Ste-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, QC
Length of trail (round trip): various options from 1.3-kilometre to16-kilometre trails
Estimated Time: 20 minutes to 5.5 hours
Difficulty Level: Easy to Difficult
Situated on the Ontaritzi River and Lac St. Joseph this huge provincial park is best known for its cross-country skiing trails. As the address indicates, there is an inn and modern cabins for rent through the Sépaq provincial park system.
Distance from Quebec City: 38 kilometres
8. Base De Plein Air De Ste-Foy
Address: 3137, Rue Laberge, Quebec City
Distance from Quebec City: 11 kilometres
Length of trail (round trip): 5.8 kilometres
Estimated Time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty Level: Easy
A large diversity of trees and woodland areas await the hiker here. There’s even a bog easily explored on boardwalks. Mallard ducks and chickadee sightings are guaranteed. There are two Lac Laberge here, not to be confused with Lac Lebarge, made famous by Robert Service’s poem in the Yukon.
9. Parc du Brûlé
Address: 70 Chemin du Brûlé, Lac-Beauport, QC
Length of trail (round trip): 1.2 kilometres
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty Level: Easy to intermediate
As straight as an arrow, or a large snake, the Anaconda Trail is in the semi-urban area of Lac-Beauport, best known for its cross-country trails and downhill skiing. On the trail, only the communal garden at the beginning reminds one that you’re not in true wilderness.
Distance from Quebec City: 23 kilometres
10. Mount Wright Forêt Ancienne
Address: 18 Chemin de l’Escalade, Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury,QC
Length of trail (round-trip): 6 Trails, rating from 150-metres to 4-kilometres
Estimated Time: 2 hours and under
Difficulty Level: Easy to difficult
Elevation Gain: Minimal
As the street name indicates, this ancient forest trail is also popular with climbers. The park is an ecological heritage site in eastern Quebec and offers views of Stoneham and Tewkesbury towns. It is one of the few remaining private ‘old-growth forests’ in the province. Bring your gear if you climb or boulder!
Distance from Quebec City: 35 kilometres
