Hiking and trail running

Length: 4,6 km – Elevation gain: 147 m – Average time: 1h30

Ideal for a familial or contemplative walk, follow the humming sound of the crystal-clear Milieu river on the Passerelles trail before reacvhing the Milieu cabin. Bonus: You will find a lot of information on the brook trout along the trail.

Length: 4,3 km – Elevation gain: 235 m – Average time: 1h30

Prised by families,  this trail will lead you to fascinating rock shelters, a natural rock formation similar to small caves. To get there, and to the breath-taking view atop Collines du Nord,  you will have to climb up a few ladders. We do not recommend this trail to those with fear of heights and / or hiking with a dog.

Length: 4,8 km – Elevation gain: 221 m – Average time: 1h30

Mystic forests and waterfalls are your things? You found the right trail!  Marvel at the Bassin waterfall and then, don’t forget to look up to get a glimpse of some 300 years old yellow birches as you hike the ancient forest!

Length: 7,9 km – Elevation gain: 380 m – Average time: 3h

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Certainly one of the most popular trail of the park, the Mont Chocolat has, apart from its name, everything to please you! Part of the hike follows a pristine river while the other takes you through a sugar maple stand before offering you 2 of the best panoramas of the park. A pretty good value for your effort!

Length: 9,1 km – Elevation gain: 468 m – Average time: 3h30

This trail leads you in the heart of the moose habitat and their “ravages”, where they graze in the clearings. Start your hike early and you might get the chance to see this great mammal. Is it your lucky day?

Length: 9,8 km – Elevation gain: 449 m – Average time: 3 h 30

This trail follows much of the route of mont Chocolat. After admiring the Milieu creek and climbing mont Chocolat, hike another 1.9 km and you will find yourself at the foot of the highest rock faces in the park. A worthwhile detour!

Length: 11,1 km – Elevation gain: 550 m – Average time: 4h

Often the unexpected highlight of a visit, this trail has a lot to offer.  Hike through an ancient forest, cross crystal-clear rivers and then get your boots ready for some serious ascent. The effort is well worth it, for the views on top of the Crête des Grives are, just like the ascent, breathtaking!

Length: 15,0 km – Elevation gain: 440 m – Average time: 5h

Always wanted to get a closer look at a wind turbine? This trail will lead right at the footstep of one of these giants! This roundtrip trail will also bring you to the Tête de la Vallée du Milieu belvedere, for a stunning view of the valley and the park, and past remains of the log driving industry in the area. A well-rounded day hike!

Length: 13,9 km – Elevation gain: 641 m – Average time: 5h30

Ready to reach the highest summit of Chaudière-Appalaches? At 917 meters,  take in the 360° view of the area, as far as Quebec city on the St Lawrence river to the highest mountain of Maine, Mount Katahdin. On a clear day, of course!

Length: 16,0 km – Elevation gain: 756 m – Average time: 6h30

The second highest summit of the park (by only 2 meters lower than Mont Saint Magloire), Mont du Midi makes for a great day of exploration! Cross many pristine rivers, climb Mont Chocolat and part of Mont du Midi before coming down past remains of the log driving industry that once took place in the park.

Length: 18 km – Elevation gain: 723 m – Average time: 7h

In search of a challenge? Here is one for you! This trail will take you to the top of Mont Saint-Magloire (the park’s giant), in the heart of the moose habitat (an animal’s giant), and at the feet of ancient trees (a forest’s giant). Hence, the name “Trail of the Giants”. Capiche?

Length: 22,0 km (day 1: 12,9 / 13,3; day 2: 9,1 / 8,7 km) – Elevation gain: 1004 m – Average time: 2 days -Overnight camping or in a lean-to

A good first multi-day hike allowing you to take in the landscape without having to rush on the way. The plan: hike up the highest point in Chaudière-Appalaches, Mont Saint-Magloire, at 917 m, enjoy the views over the park on the Crêtes des Grives and spend the night snoozing to the sound of the rushing waters of the Portes-de-l’Enfer’s gorges. This hike must be done over 2 days.

Length: 28,4 km (day 1: 14,4 km; day 2: 14 km) – Elevation gain: 1,214 m – Average time: 2 days

The longest of the multi-day hiking trails will take you to the summit of the two highest peaks of Chaudière-Appalaches (Mont Saint-Magloire and Mont du Midi). Spending the night in the heart of the park, where silence and tranquility are easy to find, will recharge your batteries for the second day! This hike must be done over 2 days.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

• Choose synthetic clothing rather than cotton, they will dry faster and keep you warm even if they are wet
• Bring enough water (1 litre minimum) and a snack
• Bring a small backpack with a headlamp, matches, sunscreen lotion, a first aid kit and a trail map
• Plan your itinerary on a map and let someone know of your plan, including departure and return time
• Choose a trail that fits your capacities (average speed of 3 km/h) taking into account the sunshine duration
• Warm-up and stretch to reduce risks of injuries during your hike
• Check the weather forecast before leaving

WHILE HIKING

• For your own safety, never leave alone
• Always stay on the trail and pay attention to the signs
• Drink water often and in small quantities
• Carry your trash with you to dispose of it in a garbage bin
• Don’t hesitate to evaluate your itinerary during the day and to turn around if necessary

What to do if you are injured and cannot move?

• First, if you have a cellphone with you, see if you have cellphone signal where you are. If so, call the visitor center at 418-469-2228 extension 101. Explain your situation and ask for help.
• If you don’t have cellphone signal where you are, but you’re not alone, protect yourself from the cold, the wind and the ground. Once you are in a stable position, ask your partner to go get help at the visitor center.
• If you are by yourself, cannot move and don’t have cellphone signal, try to stay as warm as possible and protect yourself from the ground with some form of insulation. Stay close to the trail and try to be easy to see by other users or the rescue team.

In any case, never leave the signaled areas.

What to do if you are lost?

• If you left the signaled area and you don’t know where you are, turn back following your footprints until you reach the signaled area.
• If you cannot see your footprints, and are on a slope, slowly make you way down: most of our trails follow rivers or streams in the valleys. If you reach a river or a stream, follow it until you reach a trail.
• If you cannot see your footprints, and even by going down into the valley you cannot find any stream, river or trail, but you have a cellphone, see if you have cellphone signal where you are. If so, call the visitor center at 418-469-2228 extension 101. Explain your situation and ask for help.
• If you don’t have cellphone signal where you are, you cannot see your footprints and are lost outside of the signaled area, try to orientate yourself: try to find a summit or another clue to where you might be. Move only if you are sure of the direction you’re heading to.
• Otherwise, the best thing to do is to stay where you are, to protect yourself as much as possible from the elements, to make sure you are easy to see using any colorful object (clothing, tent, tarp, etc.) and, if you have one, by using your whistle, or calling for help. If night falls, turn a headlamp on or start a fire to ensure you are easy to spot.

In any case, it is preferable to wait for help rather than spending your energy going around in circles in the woods.