Wildlife and dizzying peaks

Do you like hiking? Breathtaking scenery awaits you around Chicoutimi. Here's a non-exhaustive list of my favorite walks through the peaks of Monts Valin, the clear shores of Lac Saint-Jean and the Canadian rapids.

Rivière-à-Mars footbridge

I - Bear, canyon and high-altitude lake

With the exception of the panoramas offered by Monts Valin National Park, it was the trails of the Bec-Scie outdoor center on the outskirts of Saguenay that impressed me the most. Located just a 30-minute drive from Chicoutimi, this area abounds in remarkable scenery. I suggest here a combination of three trails (≈ 7 km) to discover some of the most beautiful nooks and crannies of this place crossed by the Rivière-à-Mars. Daily access costs $6.

My personal highlights: a canyon, a high-altitude lake, an encounter with a black bear and her cubs, green moss paths, typical shelters, a beaver, deafening frogs...

The last photo features a complete trail map. The section beyond the "halfway point - mi-parcours" is now closed to hikers due to the presence of bears. You can, however, enter the area with the "Black Bear and its Habitat" activity, which also includes a canoe-rabaska trip.

Centre plein air Bec-Scie

Don't be like me: if you see a fence with a "danger bear" sign on it, even if it's open, don't go there, or you'll run the risk of encountering black bears.

Contact Nature offers a wide range of activities on its web site: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fatbike, mountain bike, hiking, canicross, quad/snowmobile...

II - The waterfalls of the Rivière du Moulin

Along with Chicoutimi's Parc de la Pulperie, this improvised trail I recommend (1st photo) is the closest and most accessible to UQAC. You start by descending the hill, through two small forests, to discover the famous Saguenay Fjord (2nd photo). Next, I take you to the northern end of Parc du Moulin, via the Rivière du Moulin trail. Here, you can follow the waterfalls from several vantage points. If you wish, you can follow the trail back up to the reception area, the park's main entrance.

Numerous trails start from the reception area, giving you the chance to meet the curious little animals that live there, such as squirrels and chickadees. The entrance is a 5-minute drive from UQAC, or 20 minutes by bus. You can see the full map of the park by downloading the summer (or winter) map on the Ondago app. You can also visit the Parc du Moulin website to discover the many activities on offer.

Rivière du Moulin trail & Fjord

III - Climbing on the roof of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

Whether in winter with snowshoes or in summer with hiking boots or a canoe, Monts-Valin National Park is full of secrets just waiting to be discovered. My personal favorite: the Dog's Head Peak, one of the highest peaks and viewpoints in the mountain range; you can even see the city of Saguenay from here, even though it's only 25 km away! In addition to its magnificent hiking trails, the park offers other activities, such as canoeing, camping and overnight stays in cottages. I'll let you discover them all on the website: Parc national des Monts-Valin - Sépaq

I recommend that you download the All Trails application, which will allow you to locate yourself on the trail of your choice: Dog's Head Peak - AllTrails

Parc national des Monts-Valin, Dog's Head Peak trail

IV - Discover boreal wildlife

1h30 from Chicoutimi, west of Lac Saint-Jean, lies the St Félicien Zoo. You'll see and learn more about Canadian wildlife than you would in the wild. This zoo has a reserve where animals from North America live in almost complete freedom. Their boreal train allows you to discover landscapes that are sometimes reconstructed, sometimes totally natural, wide open spaces, historical sites that recall the origins of Canadian culture, bears, moose...

St-Félicien Zoo

V - Three levels of difficulty for a panoramic view of Ha Ha Bay!

The Eucher trail, in the borough of La Baie, is a 15-minute drive from UQAC. More new landscapes, this time along the coast. What's special about this trail? Three levels of difficulty and a breathtaking view of the bay! You can also spot snakes, chipmunks, squirrels and more. Keep your eyes peeled.

If you're tempted by the longest and most complicated trail (12.6 km), I'd advise you to set off early and bring a picnic with you, to lunch in front of a magnificent view. Wear waterproof hiking boots, as the terrain is rocky and sometimes muddy in some spots.

Eucher trail

VI - Beach, bike and moose

Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon is located on the shores of Lac Saint-Jean, between land and water. Its distinctive feature is a trail that forms a loop, circling the peninsula. Bikes can be rented for the tour. Lakefront activities include swimming, paddling and pedal-boating, as well as small beaches that are rare in Quebec. At the center of the park is the "Grande Tourbière", which occupies a large part of the park's surface area. This swampy ecosystem is home to a variety of animal and plant species in an atypical landscape (there are even carnivorous plants!). If you go for a walk in the morning or evening, you'll have a good chance of spotting moose.

Visit the park's website to find out about all the water and land-based activities: Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon - Sépaq

Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon Beach picture : 1234HUGO, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

I've got plenty of other cool spots in store, you can find them on the map section of the website or ask me for information in the contact section, I'd be happy to give you some advice! And if you get the chance to visit these places, don't hesitate to let me know what you think.