15 Epic Outdoor Adventures in Quebec

Fiona Tapp

March 29, 2023

Quebec is made for outdoor enthusiasts, whether you love to play in the snow, speed through muddy forests or paddle along rivers and across lakes.

Three times the size of France, Quebec is the largest of our Canadian provinces and spans an enormous area. With stunning natural landscapes, diverse geography and a huge range of four-season activities, Quebec is where adventurers test their grit.

Here you can scale a cliff rock climbing, venture out kayaking on a vast lake, cycle through ancient woods and enjoy all the thrills of the great Canadian wilderness.

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a beginner looking for a new challenge, there’s something for everyone in Quebec. So, pack your hiking boots and snowshoes or grab your paddle and get ready to embark on an epic outdoor adventure in Quebec.

Whitewater Rafting on The Lachine

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Tailor your rafting experience to your group’s thrill level by choosing a gentle family-friendly float or an exciting fast-paced paddle through rapids on the Saint Lawrence River. You’ll have the chance to swim with city views of Montreal after you successfully paddle through class I to IV rapids including Big John and the Devil’s Drop. Find out more at Rafting Montreal.

Fat Biking in Mont Sainte-Anne

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Whenever the terrain is challenging—be it ice and snow or slippery mud on off-road tracks—fat bikes give you the traction you need to complete the trail. Located around 50 kilometres from Quebec City, Mont Sainte-Anne is an accessible winter wonderland for downhill and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. You can rent fat bikes to explore the 6.4 kilometres of trails that suit various ability levels. In summer, the fun doesn’t stop with mountain bike and hiking trails.

Take a Tree Top Walk in The Laurentides

Climb up into the treetops for amazing views of the Laurentides forests. Stroll along the wooden trail, perfect for families, at Le Sentier des Cimes. Stop to read the interpretative panels and enjoy the views from the lookouts to learn more about the flora and fauna of the area. The panoramic tower isn’t as extreme as it looks from afar—plus, it’s accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Canoe at Jacques-Cartier National Park

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Travel 50 kilometres north from Quebec City and you’ll arrive at Jacques-Cartier National Park. This beautiful park is home to a glacial valley and offers both novice and expert paddlers a stunning setting to take in the local wildlife including, moose and the Great Blue Heron as they traverse the Jacques-Cartier River. You can rent a canoe or bring your own and go canoe camping—there are three water-accessible campsites.

Climbing in Val-David-Val-Morin

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The regional park Val-David-Val-Morin in Quebec’s Laurentides region is a popular spot for cross-country skiing in the winter and biking and hiking in the summer. For climbers, the Dufresne Sector offers an abundance of routes and cliffs to scale. Choose from 500 routes, ranging from 10 metres to 130 metres. This area is also a great spot for bouldering.

Hike in Parc de la Riviere Doncaster

Located less than 100 kilometres from Montreal, Parc de la Riviere Doncaster in picturesque Sainte-Adèle is the perfect spot for a summer hike and picnic. Take the trails around the Doncaster River before dipping your toes in the cool water or settle down for a rest on the beach area and flat rocks.

View the Waterfall at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency

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It’s hard to believe that at 83 metres, the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency is one and a half times higher than Niagara Falls! You can enjoy the view from several vantage points including the comfort of the cable car or the more adventurous heights of the via ferrata and zipline.

Whale Watching in Tadoussac

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Begin at the Tadoussac Harbor for guaranteed whale sightings with AML Cruises. That’s right, this spot is such a great observation site that they are confident to offer a promise that you’ll see beautiful whales during your voyage or they will give you a pass to return another time. The cruise includes commentary from bilingual naturalist guides as you sail the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park.

Outdoor Indigenous Experiences

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Enjoy an immersive experience learning the culture and values of the Huron-Wendat Nation at the Onhwa’ Lumina, an interactive forest journey combining light, sound, video projections and the power of story along a 1.2-kilometre trail. In Wendake you can also visit the Huron‑Wendat Museum, which features a traditional longhouse and the opportunity to see traditional dances and hear stories and legends from community members.

Snowshoeing Through the Woods in Montebello

You can snap on a pair of snowshoes and explore the backcountry anywhere in Quebec in the wintertime, but for something special, visit Montagne du Diable Regional Park where you’ll find a network of 80 kilometres of trails to explore, including the Windigo Lake and the towering peak of Montagne du Diable. You can choose to extend your visit and stay overnight in a cabin or by camping.

Go Canyoning in Gaspé

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Head to the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec to try out canyoning or canyon ziplining with Eskamer Aventure. Under the care of your experienced guide, you’ll rappel down waterfalls and slide down rocks in a wetsuit to explore canyons. The water here is spectacularly clear and a day spent exploring the waterways and the Ruisseau Castor canyon is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Camping in an oTENTik

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Enjoy a variety of oTENTik Parks Canada accommodations at four locations across Quebec: Forillon National Park, La Mauricie National Park, Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve and Saint-Ours Canal National Historic Site. oTENTik’s have raised floors, beds and furniture for a more comfortable camping experience after a day of adventuring.

Explore Gatineau Park

Hop over the Ottawa River from Canada’s capital city to explore Gatineau Park. Here you can find hiking trails, beaches, stunning outlooks, snowshoe and cross-country trails as well as opportunities to go rock climbing and explore a cave. Once the water level rises in spring, prepare to get wet and a bit cold inside the Lusk Cave where water levels can rise to a metre or more. Bring a bathing suit, water shoes and a headlamp for the best spelunking experience.

Dog Sled in Charlevoix

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Strap in for a fast-paced ride at La Reine et Le Millionnaire where you’ll receive full driver training before you give it a shot leading the pack. You can choose from one or two-hour experiences depending on the weather and your stamina. The certified guides keep everyone safe and allow you to visit the kennels and see their respect for the animal’s welfare and well-being.

Kayak the Bonaventure River

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Take to the water on the Bonaventure River in the Gaspé Peninsula, rising in the Chic-Chocs and flowing to the Baie des Chaleurs. Paddle a kayak, canoe, SUP or go tubing. Look out for salmon in the crystal-clear, emerald-tinted waters as you paddle along this famous river, which features rapids you can traverse by kayak or canoe to keep even the most adventurous paddlers happy.

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