This Is Canada’s Most Underrated Adventure Hub
In between Quebec City and Montreal is an area that embodies Canada’s adventurous heart. Yes, it’s exactly what you and every other adventurer dreams of and more—lakeside cabins, lush pine forests and wildlife that feels so surreal, it’s almost a unbelieveable. And yet, some outdoor enthusiasts haven’t even heard of this location.
Nowadays, outdoorsy folks in Canada are in search of off-the-beaten-path adventures and trails free of crowds—places that they can make their own. Lanaudière–Mauricie, located on the north shore of the sparkling St. Lawrence River, offers exactly that. The river gives way to rolling forests, mirror-like lakes and winding backroads that are designed for wandering. Whether you’re paddling across a still lake at sunrise, hiking to a panoramic lookout, settling into a rustic cabin beneath the stars, biking the various mountain trails or skiing downhill into the sunset, this place doesn’t have an “off” season for adventure.
This tree-covered nook of Quebec feels refreshingly undiscovered once you’re there. One moment you’re wandering though dense spruce woods alive with birdsong; the next, you’re exploring charming French-Canadian villages, farm stands and cafés where you can’t help but linger. With about 30,000 lakes, sprawling protected areas and endless opportunities to roam, it has something for everyone: countryside, thick forests, culture and cuisine (yum!) and a smattering of parks and wildlife reserves just a stone’s throw away.
If you’re considering checking out Lanaudière–Mauricie (and we suggest you do), here’s what you need to explore:
Accommodations Fused with Nature
The thing that hikers, birdwatchers, skiers, campers and paddlers have in common is that we often plan trips around exploring the landscapes that draw us in.
In the laidback outdoorsy culture of Lanaudière–Mauricie, accommodations let nature be the main feature. Fall asleep beneath a canopy of stars at a glamping retreat, or wake to mist rising off a quiet lake from your cabin deck.
Stay in yurts, domes and pods perfect for glamping and stargazing before bed. Or sleep in the region’s signature feature forest inn where you can wake to an orchestra of birds and the day’s outdoor activities are literally steps from the door. If you’re looking to disconnect in nature, book a mini lakeside cottage or cabin in the woods and trade notifications for ample time to read and listen for loon calls.
From Forest to Table
Foodies will love to know that menus in this area take the “eat local” movement to the next level with wild mushrooms and foraged goods. Depending on the season, chefs and local guides celebrate ingredients gathered from the surrounding landscape, from wild berries to fragrant herbs hidden along the nearest woodland trail that reflect Québec’s rich culinary traditions.
Try these ingredients for yourself either at a local restaurant or lace up your boots and learn to forage with a certified guide. Anglers can cast a line in the region’s lakes and rivers for fresh trout, then prepare their catch themselves or, at select inns and lodges, have it transformed into a memorable meal by the chef. Whether you’re dining beside a lake after a day on the water or enjoying a thoughtfully prepared meal at a charming restaurant, the region’s natural landscape will embed into all five of your senses, including taste.
Spend a Day Out in Trois-Rivières
Montreal and Quebec City are a short drive from Lanaudière–Mauricie, but Trois-Rivières is an underrated Canadian city that’s even closer (it’s also the second-oldest French-speaking city in North America). Perched between the St. Lawrence and Saint-Maurice rivers, Trois-Rivières is the place to wander through the downtown absorbing its timeless charm as you sip a tea or coffee.
Don’t skip the city’s terraces and microbreweries and if your stay overlaps with one of its festivals (they have an iconic music and dance festival), make that a highlight.
Discover the Treasures of the King’s Road (Chemin du Roy) Route
The King’s Road—or Chemin du Roy—is perfect for the history buff or wine connoisseur of the group. This is where Quebec’s oldest road (built in the 1730s) links three tourist regions. We’re talking about 280 kilometres that meanders through old mills, adorable historic homes, vineyards, walkways and shops worth pausing for. Consider it a reward after an adventure that caused sore muscles.
Explore Lesser-known Parks and Reserves
If you ski, there’s a good chance you know Mont-Tremblant—the nearby national park with a town fit for a snowglobe. Did you know that the majority of the park is in the Lanaudiere region? With two other entrances (Pimbina and L’Assomption), embrace all that the park has to offer—canoeing, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing and more—in a much more calmer vibe.
But it’s far from the only national park in this region. La Mauricie National Park is the region’s crown jewel, also in the vicinity, and is the perfect place for canoeing, hiking bridges that take you through the tree canopy and a gorgeous waterfall where clear water cascades from boulders above. Beyond these, there are also 15 regional parks and three wildlife reserves in this part of Quebec.
Travel to this excellent adventure hub with your boots, binoculars and cameras ready. This corner of Québec has a way of turning a weekend escape into a trip you’ll be planning to revisit before you’ve even left.
Explore the unique offers available for your adventures in Lanaudière-Mauricie, exclusively for explore magazine readers. Click here!
This article is sponsored by Lanaudiere-Mauricie.
Balancing tradition with modernity, the vast territory of Lanaudière-Mauricie promises to offer you the Quebec experience you’ve always dreamed of, to the rhythm of the four seasons, and brimming with diverse, authentic experiences.
