The 10 Most Scenic Hiking Trails in All of Quebec

Canada is one of the largest countries in the world. There is a lot of beauty to enjoy in this massive country, especially in Quebec. It’s a perfect place to live and visit for nature lovers and hikers. You can explore large meadows with wildflowers, crystal clear rivers and streams, and tall lush mountains. Although there are a lot more than 10, here we have the 10 most scenic hiking trails in all of Quebec.

1. Acropole des Draveurs Trail

The first trail on our list is the Acropole des Draveurs Trail near Mont-Élie, Quebec. It’s a favorite for many and runs for about 6.5 miles, which on average takes 3 to 6 hours to complete. Some hikers choose to extend their stay and camp overnight, completing the hike down the next day. The best time to visit is from fall to spring, right before the first frost. No dogs are allowed on the trail.

This trail is within the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park. The Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park is a stunning park with a surface area of 86.8 square miles. It’s a very mountainous park that provides visitors with the opportunity to hike, bike, camp kayak, fish, ice climb, and bird-watching.

2. Éperon Trail

Next on our list of the most scenic hiking trails in all of Quebec is the Éperon Trail near Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury, Quebec. This 3.1-mile loop is labeled as moderately challenging and takes most hikers less than 2 hours to complete. The average time according to All Trails for completion is 1 hour and 44 minutes. This popular trail is best hiked from May through October. It’s in the gorgeous Jacques-Cartier National Park. This jaw-dropping Canadian park has a surface area of about 258.7 square miles. Some animals you may see while hiking this trail in the park are moose, gray wolves, river otters, and caribou.

3. Morios Mount Loop

Another excellent scenic hiking trail in Quebec is the Morios Mount Loop near Notre-Dame-de-Montauban. This loop is rather long, at about 13.4 miles. Without many stops, it takes at least 7 hours to complete. The Morios Mount Loop is also in the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park like the Acropole des Draveurs Trail. While on this hiking trail, you can admire the thick shady forest, views of mountains and the surrounding valley, and lovely waterfalls with many swimming holes. Because of the length and scenic spots on this trail, it’s best to start it early and pack light. On this hike, dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. This hike is considered hard as it’s very steep. It’s best to use hiking boots as the trails can also be muddy after rainfall.

4. Mount Royal Park Loop

Another loop on our list is the Mount Royal Park Loop in Mount Royal Park, Montréal. The loop is about 5 miles long and takes you to scenic views not too far from the city. It’s a gorgeous green space to enjoy with family members and friends. On average, this moderately challenging route takes about 2 hours to complete, although it may take longer if you stop at iconic points throughout the trail. It’s worth it to plan time to stop at the various lookouts on the trail.

This lovely park is highly-visited. Around 4 million people come to Mount Royal Park every year. It’s also the first protected park/area in Quebec. You can also enjoy this trail and the park throughout the year as it’s a popular spot for snowshoeing and skating in the winter.

5. Paradise Lake Loop

Also in Quebec is the Paradise Lake Loop in the Réserve Naturelle Alfred-Kelly, also known as the Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve. The loop is moderately challenging and is 4.6 miles long. This popular trail, located near Terrasse-des-Pins takes about 2.5 hours to complete. It’s very peaceful, granting hikers views of gorgeous mountains and refreshing lakes. It’s best to prepare and use hiking/climbing shoes as part of the trail requires steep climbing. The path is open yearlong and a great way to view vibrant fall foliage.

6. Liberator’s Belvedere Trail

The Liberator’s Belvedere Trail is another favorite for many people. It’s a 7.4-mile loop often labeled as moderately challenging. This lovely trail is near Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm. It’s a popular trail, but although many people use it, the trail is rarely crowded. On average, it takes hikers 4 hours to complete the loop. At the top of the summit, you get spectacular views. Also, walking on the hike is a great place for bird-watching. Common birds you may spot on the Liberator’s Belvedere Trail include red-bellied woodpeckers, belted kingfishers, great horned owls, wild turkeys, killdeer, and red-winged blackbirds.

7. Carbide Willson Ruins and Falls

Also on our list of the most scenic hiking trails in all of Quebec is the Carbide Willson Ruins and Falls Trail which takes you to the unique Carbide Wilson Ruins. The ruins are well worth a visit and perfect to photograph amongst the lush green forest. These ruins are near Meech Lake. They are what’s left of a fertilizer plant that includes three buildings. The remains are nothing noteworthy, but the placement is everything. They are near cascading falls. The remains of the buildings almost look like something out of this world.

So, how do you get here? The Carbide Wilson Ruins and Falls Trail is short and easy, only about 2.1 miles long. On average, it takes visitors a little more than an hour to complete. This hike is perfect for beginners with an elevation gain of 410 feet.

8. Le Pioui and Mont du Lac des Cygnes Loop

The eighth trail on our list is the Le Pioui and Mont du Lac des Cygnes Loop. This loop is near Saint-Urbain and runs for 6.9 miles. On average, according to AllTrails, it takes visitors 4 hours to complete. It can take longer the more detours and stops you take, but the stops to admire the scenery and views are worth it!

The Le Pioui and Mont du Lac des Cygnes Loop is a very popular trail and area. It’s within the Grands-Jardins National Park. To avoid slippery and cold weather, it’s best to enjoy this trail from June through September. Walking on top of crunching leaves and watching as colorful leaves fall on this trail is breathtaking. It’s important to note that this trail is pretty steep and labeled as hard with an elevation gain of nearly 2,000 feet.

9. The Wolves Trail

Last but not least is the Wolves Trail near Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury in the Jacques-Cartier National Park. The views of this trail will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy novel. It’s a 6.1-mile trail that takes hikers at least a few hours to complete because of its difficulty. It’s considered a hard trail and is open year-round. This challenging scenic trail is very rocky, so wear hiking/climbing boots.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Sus2021 / CC BY-SA 4.0 – License / Original