Winter roadtrip along the St. Lawrence

To enjoy winter even more and discover the must-see places of the Bas Saint-Laurent and Gaspesia, why not go on a roadtrip along the St. Lawrence River?

Our collaborator revisits these regions every year, following the four seasons. She shares with you a host of favorite activities and of course, good gourmet addresses.

Itinerary idea 

Day 1: La Pocatière / St-Denis-De La Bouteillerie / Kamouraska / Saint-André-de-Kamouraska 

Are you finally ready to go on an adventure again and drive along the magnificent St.Lawrence? Meet in La Pocatière, at the gateway of Kamouraska municipality. Where we find the famous cabourons, a series of rocky monadnocks that have grown in the middle of the agricultural plains and are ideal for climbing. Departure by fatbike to test the 10 km of the 27 trails of the Boisé Beaupré. If you prefer to put on snowshoes, 8 trails await you or 7 for cross-country skiing.

If you want to go a little faster, the Kamouraska Discovery Circuit by snowmobile offers superb views of the river and large wooded areas of over 200 km. As for the La Grande Virée Adventure Circuit by snowmobile, it allows you to discover the Bas Saint-Laurent region from one end to the other.

On the way, stop to stroll through the picturesque village of St-Denis-De La Bouteillerie.

With a delicious coffee in hand from Chez Casgrain in Kamouraska, take a moment to stroll along the river before having lunch and stocking up on local products at the Côté Est restaurant, voted one of the best in Quebec. Admire the exceptional orange sunset, without the summer crowds, while having a drink at the Tête d’Allumette microbrewery in Saint-André-de-Kamouraska.

Day 2: Saint-André-de-Kamouraska ou Kamouraska / Notre-Dame-du-Portage / Rivière-du-Loup 

Under an incredible blue sky and with the view of the Kamouraska cabourons, go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing from the SEBKA (Camping/Société d’écologie de la batture), still in Saint-André-de-Kamouraska. Continue your route by observing the superb ancestral homes along Route 132.

It’s time to enjoy a break and be pampered at the spa of the Auberge du Portage health center to continue with a lunch later or an aperitif at the restaurant of the inn. Check in at the Auberge internationale de Rivière-du-Loup before treating yourself to one of your best meals and services of the year: La Porte arrière. Ask to sit at the counter in front of the restaurant cooks. During your stay in town, don’t hesitate to check out the entertainment offered with Rivière-du-Loup en spectacles (from October 24^th to December 31^st).

Day 3: Rivière-du-Loup / Cacouna / Parc des Chutes / Rivière-du-Loup 

To start the day off right, coffee in hand from Café L’Innocent, head to the belvédère de l’Anse for an incredible view of the river and take in the fresh air. Then, hop on a fatbike on the La Meute trail, and joining the La Meute cycling club is even better.

Or head to Cacouna and its recent Putep’t-awt land-based marine mammal observation platform. Perhaps go snowshoeing or fatbiking at the Kiskotuk coastal park.

If you want to feel an adrenaline rush and you have never tried climbing an ice wall, this is your chance at Waterfall park. Located in downtown Rivière-du-Loup, this site has the particularity of being artificially frozen. Make sure to take classes and be well equipped.

Following your fatbike experience or climbing the ice wall, you may need to relax at the La Relaxation spa center at the Auberge de La Pointe. Return to the Auberge internationale de Rivière-du-Loup.

Day 4: Rivière-du-Loup / Trois-Pistoles / Saint-Fabien / Parc national du Bic / Le Bic 

To round off your lunch, stop at the Fromagerie des Basques in Trois-Pistoles to taste one of the best cheeses in Quebec. Get off the beaten track and discover the village of Saint-Fabien, take the beautiful Coulombes trail. Then, when you get back on the road, you will quickly feel transported elsewhere in the middle of the rich landscapes of Du Bic National Park. You can choose to snowshoe on the Murailles trails leading to Pic Champlain. Lunch at Le Biscois bistro in the superb village of Le Bic. Stock up on sought-after local products at the pantry of the Vieux Loup de Mer. Dinner at Mange-Grenouille.

Day 5: Le Bic / Parc national du Bic / Rimouski / Sainte-Flavie / Parc régional de la rivière-Mitis / Baie-des-Sables / Matane 

Lunch at the Folles Farines bakery, nestled in the village of Le Bic. Return to the Parc national du Bic to explore a few trails on a fatbike or by taking the slide, located near the Le Porc-Épic relay, 1.3 km from the Rivière-du-Sud-Ouest service center. You must bring your own sled. A mandatory stop at the Chapeau Moustache café in Rimouski or the Moussonneur Café Lounge. Head to the village of Sainte-Flavie, the gateway to Gaspésie and home to the famous Grand Rassemblement exhibition, right on the river. If the Marcel Gagnon art centre is open, take the opportunity to visit and to understand the artist’s influences. To stretch your legs even more, go for a hike in the Mitis river regional park, before having an aperitif at the Le Ketch coastal microbrewery or head to Matane to the La Fabrique pub and craft brewery. Depending on your schedule and that of the restaurant, the country table, farm lodge and diversified farm of the Projet La Ruche in Baie-des-sables is worth the detour.

Day 6: Matane / Cap-Chat / Sainte-Anne-des-Monts / Parc national de la Gaspésie 

If you’re up for it, head to the Cap-Chat distillery. Then, the town of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is also a good base camp for exploring the Gaspésie National Park on snowshoes or cross-country skis. On your way back, enjoy an aperitif, dinner or just stock up on refined local products at the La Planche wine bistro at Hôtel & Cie.

Day 7: Sainte-Anne-des-Monts / Rivière-à-Claude / Mont-Saint-Pierre / Rivière-au-Renard / L’Anse-à-Griffon 

Although you may have already visited one or two Quebec gin distilleries, I highly recommend the new Cap-aux-Pêchés distillery in Rivière-à-Claude. Nestled in a tastefully renovated old church, the Intemporel tasting experience is on another level. Also take the time to chat with the young and very friendly founder and entrepreneur, Léandre Auclair. Put on your cross-country skis or snowshoes at the superb mountain resort on the sea of Mont-Saint-Pierre. The view is truly beautiful! At the end of the day, on the way to your accommodation, stock up on fresh or dried fish at the La Marinière fish market in Rivière-au-Renard, one of the largest fishing villages in Gaspésie. At the same time, stop at the microbrewery Au Frontibus, or head to L’Anse-au-Griffon to find the comfort of one of the Chanterelles chalets (4 seasons) at the Griffon Aventure Hostel.

*Note that during the summer season, the entire Griffon Aventure Hostel complex is open. This includes dormitory rooms, 5 unique cabins, 4 larger chalets (including a small barn), a houseboat, 2 ready-to-camp tents, as well as camping and van spaces. The common living room and the terrace with a barbecue are great places to connect with other visitors.

Day 8: L’Anse-à-Griffon / Gaspé / Parc national de Forillon / L’Anse-à-Griffon 

You can’t miss stopping by the Paquebot café for lunch or maybe just for a coffee. You may be familiar with the other three establishments in Montreal, but the one in Gaspé has a real community feel. And go snowshoeing on the Mont Alban trail to the observatory at the summit (283 metres), in Forillon National Park. The 360-degree view of the “end of the world” is simply exceptional! If the weather permits, go down to Cap-Bon-Ami. It’s ideal to park in Grande Grave, where you’ll find period buildings. From there, the La Grave trail that runs along the river is also interesting. On a clear day, you can even see Percé Rock. Enjoy a friendly dinner at the bistro-bar Le Brise-Bise, a Gaspé institution. Return to the Chanterelles chalets (Griffon Aventure Hostel).

*When Forillon National Park is not officially in operation, from mid-October to the end of May, and the roads in the northern and southern sectors are closed, it is still permitted to visit. A winter offer is proposed in collaboration with the Griffon cultural centre, to the great delight of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fatbike enthusiasts.

Day 9: L’Anse-à-Griffon / Gaspé / Parc national Forillon / L’Anse-à-Griffon 

Encourage local merchants, have lunch or grab a coffee at Oh les pains, still located on the main street in Gaspé. Why not discover other trails in Forillon National Park, but this time on cross-country skis? Otherwise, from the Chanterelles chalets themselves, you can take the Portage trail, also located in the park. Towards the end of the afternoon, explore the O’Dwyer microdistillery in Gaspé. Dinner at the Gaspé tavern TÉTÛ at the Baker Hotel. Return to the Chanterelles chalets (Griffon Aventure Hostel).

Day 10: L’Anse-à-Griffon / Return

Treat yourself to a good breakfast at the Café des artistes before hitting the road back home. It will also be an opportunity to visit the places that slipped through your fingers on the way there. There is so much to see and do, even in winter!