Keep reading for our personal guide to make the most of one day at Jacques-Cartier National Park. Below you will find our thoughts on:

The best time to visit

Trails to hike + things we wish we had

known about the trails beforehand

Places to stop for great views

Observations on hiking etiquette

Park history

Tips to make your visit stress-free

---

Trails to hike

L’Eperon Trail

If you seek long, valley views full of peak fall colors – think vibrant burgundy, flaming oranges and golden yellows – or if you’re constantly searching for views that take your breath away (does this sound like you?), then you must hike the L’Eperon trail.

This is a popular trail, especially in the fall – we have a feeling you’ll understand why it’s so popular once you see the photos! It’s a great hiking option for those who are short on time or hiking with dogs. It’s one of the only dog-friendly trails in the park.

We hiked this trail on a beautiful, fall day with no wind or precipitation aka ideal hiking conditions. The sky looked like a children’s drawing with a bright blue sky haphazardly dotted with a random puffy white cloud. And while the fall colors may not have been the boldest as in years past – due to an unseasonably hot summer and fall – we were still treated to spectacular fall views from the start of our visit to the very end.

We picked up the L’Eperon trail from the designated L’Eperon trailhead parking lot (this lot is marked with signage and on the park map you can pick up at the park’s main entrance point). This parking lot is small and has two porter potty facilities on-site.

After a very short walk from the parking lot along the main park road, we took the first right available and after a few feet, we found ourselves at a hiking crossroads marked with a metal signpost.

After reading the sign, which was mostly in French, we opted to start with the strenuous, steep portion of the trail (“Sentier L’Eperon montee abrupte”) If you want to start this hike like we did, you will simply keep trekking straight ahead on the trail. Round-trip took us 2 hours and 6 minutes. It was 3.54 miles with an elevation gain of 902 feet. This is a moderate to difficult hike with a steep ascent to gorgeous views across the valley. We think the best views can be found on the steep part of this trail. Since we visited in the fall we were treated to impressive views of the changing seasons across the glacial valley and the Jacques-Cartier River which runs through it. On other parts of the trail, opposite the river, we enjoyed views of a stream, mountain tops and even foothills. We can confirm that fall looks downright majestic from the treetops in this park.

Things we wish we knew before we hiked L’Eperon: If we could hike this trail again, we would again start with the steep part of the trail, hike to the tallest observation platform and then turn around. While the gradual descent part of this path back down to the starting point led us through pretty autumnal colors and eventually closer to the river, but we would have preferred trying to squeeze in another hike with more impressive or vast views since we only were hiking here for one day.

Les Loups Trail

For vast valley views of red and yellow hillsides, you’re not going to want to skip out on the Les Loups or “the wolves” trail. If you do the full trail it is a 6.3-mile out and back trail that is strenuous. If you plan to hike to both observation points, you’ll need to set aside an estimated 3-4 hours. Your legs will ache, and your armpits will surely smell after this trek, even if you only hike to one of the observation points, which is what we did. But you will feel alive and energized after wandering the French-Canadian wilderness that once inspired great exploration and trade.

Most of this hike takes you through the thick forest of the National Park and then when you get to the first observation point the trail opens into a stunning panoramic view of the rugged mountainous terrain and the winding Jacques-Cartier River below.

Things we wish we knew before hiking Les Loupes: If you seek a sense of seclusion, you likely will not find it on the Les Loups Trail. It’s wildly popular and has a maximum number of hikers that can be on the trail at a time. This was our second hike of the day, and we did it in the early afternoon. The parking lot was full when we entered, and we had to circle around a few times before a spot opened. We passed a good number of hikers on the trail, but it wasn’t too congested. The observation platform was jammed and people tended to linger especially in the prime viewing spots. We had to wait a solid 20 minutes for a very cuddly couple to get done enjoying the lookout before we could step up to the side of the observation platform with most impressive, uninterrupted mountainous view. Be prepared to be patient when you reach your end point. The sights are worth the wait. Also, large, exposed rocks make up a good deal of the hiking path so if you’re able to hike with trekking poles it would be a good idea.

A stop for a great view

La Maubèche is an easy to access place in the park and designated picnic area + canoe launch and it offers you the chance to get up close to the Jacques-Cartier river. We spent 15 minutes here, strolling the river’s rocky shore and admiring the scenery. It’s a worthy stop because after hiking and enjoying the views from way up high most of the day, it provides a nice new perspective of the park.

Tips to make your visit stress-free

Hiking: round trip distances are as follows:

• L’Eperon trail: 3.54 miles, loop trail, All Trails Link
• Les Loups Trail:  6.3 miles (for both viewpoints), out and back trail, All Trails Link

Best time to visit: First week of October when the days are beautiful skies are clear, and colors are popping. October is technically considered shoulder season in Canada but popular fall foliage areas including Quebec remain busy this time of the year. The park is less crowded during the week, which is important if you opt to hike the Les Loupes trail as it has a daily maximum number of hikers allowed on it.

Gear: Wear proper hiking boots / sturdy footwear. The trails we hiked were surprisingly rocky and uneven. We also recommend trekking poles and wearing layers. The weather in the mountains can change quickly. How much time do you need? We spent a full 7 hours in the park. Whether you have an endless amount of time or only a few hours to spare, there’s an unforgettable hike or view waiting for you!

Pets: All pets including dogs are restricted in the park. Trails that are dog-friendly will be clearly indicated in trail signage at the start. For a look at dog restrictions at all National Parks around Quebec, check out the pets section of the Sepaq website.

Fees and passes: there is a $10 CAD (about $7 USD) fee / person (18 years of age and up) for a daily entrance permit (good for one day) to Jacques Cartier National Park. Children ages 0-17 are free when accompanying an adult. It’s not like at many national Parks in the United States where you pay an entrance fee per vehicle. Also, you must carry your daily entry pass with you everywhere you go including when you are hiking. Do not leave this in your vehicle. No timed entry tickets are needed for this park; however, it is strongly recommended that you purchase entrance tickets in advance online to guarantee your entry. You can purchase your daily entrance permits on the Sépaq website. You can also purchase an annual card online in advance and that grants you access for a full year. Both passes can be purchased 30 days prior to your visit. Something to note, there are added fees when you purchase online that nearly double your entrance cost. But if you’re traveling from abroad and want to guarantee your entrance / ensure a smooth entrance experience, the added costs might be worth it.

Welcome Center: The Center is located about 10km from the park entrance (past the L’Eperon trailhead). There’s a great view of the river behind the center that you’re going to want to check out, especially if you are traveling here with anyone who might have mobility issues. You’ll also find paper maps here, concessions and merchandise, restrooms and free Wi-Fi.

Water recreation: You can pay an additional fee to rent a canoe if you’re interested. We wish we had done this! Be sure to inquire about the canoe rentals at the Welcome Centre.

Where to stay: Camping is available in the National Park. However, since Jacques Cartier National Park is only a ~30 to 40 minute drive from Quebec City, many chose the city as their homebase. We opted to stay at Manor Du Lac Delage in Lac-Delage, Quebec. This is a ski lodge/resort type property located on a beautiful lake less than 30 minutes from Jacques Cartier National Park. Le Nordique Spa Stoneham is a wonderful spa/nature resort located in Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury which is about 39 km (24 miles) from Jacques Cartier National Park. A Nordic spa experience is definitely worth it, if you can make it work with your travel itinerary. Le Nordique Spa Stoneham also has tiny-houses or chalets available to rent.

We were in awe of the vastness and unspoiled beauty on full display at Jacques-Cartier National Park in Quebec, Canada. For those readers who may be visiting Jacques-Cartier National Park in the future, we hope this blog will serve as a useful jumping off point to explore the park and its trails that inspire you the most and that fit your schedule the best!

– Alyssa (& Justin)