or pick your starting city — the number is how many trails we list.
Adventures
François Dumaine
Published April 1, 2026 · Updated April 3, 2026
The trails in this guide at a glance
| Trail | Duration | Distance | Dog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parc national des Hautes-Gorges de la rivière Malbaie Charlevoix | park page, not a trail | yes | |
| Mont Yamaska Montérégie | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Parc du Mont Arthabaska Centre-du-Québec | 3 hr | 10.5 km | yes |
Figures read from the LGPO trail pages on November 6, 2026. “Not listed” is shown as is.
I still remember that October morning when I laced up my boots to begin my first 3-day bivouac story on the Sentier National in Mauricie. Three days that would transform my vision of wilderness camping in Quebec. The Sentier National de la Mauricie, with its 75 kilometers (47 miles) of pure forest magic, offers a bivouac experience that few hikers truly know.
In this story, I'll tell you about my three days of bivouac on this legendary trail. You'll discover why this adventure remains etched in my memory, what challenges I encountered, and most importantly, how to prepare well for your own Maurician epic. Because believe me, once you've tasted the magic of these forests, you'll understand why so many hikers return year after year.
My adventure began at the Rivière-à-la-Pêche sector, one of the most popular access points to the trail. I had planned to do about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) the first day to reach my first bivouac site. Spoiler alert: I underestimated the challenge.
The trail starts gently, winding through a magnificent mixed forest. The first kilometers give the impression it's going to be a walk in the park. Big mistake! Around kilometer 8, the terrain becomes more demanding with sustained climbs and some technical sections.
My first real lesson? My pack was too heavy. At 22 kilos (48.5 lbs), I had brought too many "just in case" items. Every unnecessary gram makes itself felt when you have to carry your camp on your back for hours. I should have followed the preparation advice I now preach.
I finally reached Lac des Cinq around 5 PM, completely exhausted but amazed. This small lake hidden in the forest offers absolutely perfect bivouac spots. The water was crystal clear, and the silence... wow, what silence!
| Aspect | My Experience | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | 5 PM (late) | Aim for 3 PM maximum |
| Pack weight | 22 kg (too heavy) | Maximum 18 kg |
| Water available | Lake + stream | Purification mandatory |
| Noise level | Total silence | Perfect for disconnecting |
The first night bivouacking is always magical. No traffic noise, no artificial light, just the crackling of my small campfire and the sounds of the forest falling asleep.
On the second day, heading to the Grandes-Piles sector via the section I consider the most beautiful of the trail. But beware, beautiful doesn't mean easy!
As soon as the sun rose, I understood this day would be different. The morning mist dancing above the lake created an incredible mystical atmosphere. I took time to savor my camp coffee while watching this natural spectacle.
This section of the national trail alternates between steep climbs and technical descents. I quickly realized why so many hikers underestimate this trail. The planned 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) took me nearly 6 hours, including breaks.
The viewpoints along the way are worth every effort. There's notably a lookout around kilometer 18 that offers a panoramic view of the Maurician valley. It's the kind of place where you understand why you hike.
Around 2 PM, I had my first real encounter with local wildlife. An imposing bull moose was literally blocking the trail about 50 meters ahead of me. My heart started racing!
I applied the basic rules: stay calm, don't approach, make noise to signal my presence. After a few minutes that seemed like an eternity, he calmly left the trail. A magical and stressful moment at the same time!
"In Mauricie, you're not just a visitor, you're temporarily part of the ecosystem. This humility in the face of wild nature, that's the real wealth of bivouacking."
My second campsite at Lac Édouard will remain etched in my memory. More isolated than the first, this site offers absolute tranquility. I was the only camper within a radius of several kilometers.
The evening was perfect for contemplation. I cooked a simple freeze-dried meal, but with this view of the lake and this absolute silence, it tasted like a feast. It's crazy how nature transforms simple pleasures into extraordinary moments.
On the last day, I had planned a shorter 8-kilometer (5-mile) stage to the exit of the Grandes-Piles sector. After two intense days, I wanted to take time to enjoy rather than rush.
What an excellent decision! This relaxed approach allowed me to discover small treasures I would have missed in "rush" mode. A small lake hidden 200 meters from the main trail, a 15-meter waterfall that few people know about, mushrooms with delirious shapes...
Around 11 AM, I took a detour to explore an old logger's trail marked on my map. And there, total surprise: I stumbled upon the remains of an old logging camp from the 1940s. Stone foundations, some rusty tools, and this incredible feeling of connecting with the region's history.
These moments, you can't plan them. They happen when you take time to explore, to go off the beaten path. It's exactly the kind of adventure you can experience on trails like the Parc national des Hautes-Gorges de la rivière Malbaie or Mont Yamaska.
Arriving at the parking lot was bittersweet. On one hand, I was proud to have completed these three days of bivouac. On the other, I wished it could continue for a few more days.
While loading my gear into the car, I realized how formative this adventure had been. Three days without phone, without notifications, without urban stress. Just me, the forest, and this feeling of total freedom that you only find in nature.
This adventure on the Sentier National de la Mauricie taught me several important lessons I want to share with you.
My main mistake? Too much equipment. For a 3-day bivouac, you don't need to pack like you're conquering Everest. Here's what's really essential:
Everything else is superfluous weight that complicates your hike. Believe me, after carrying 22 kilos for 3 days, you quickly understand the importance of every gram!
I had planned my stages, but I kept some flexibility. Excellent strategy! The national trail can hold surprises: changing weather, greater fatigue than expected, or simply the desire to enjoy a beautiful spot longer.
My tips for successful planning:
To help you with this preparation, I strongly recommend reading our essential questions to ask yourself before leaving.
Bivouacking is much more than a camping technique. It's a travel philosophy that requires respect and humility toward nature. You're a guest in the local wildlife's habitat.
Some principles I religiously apply:
"Bivouacking teaches you that you need very little to be happy. This lesson, you bring it back with you into your daily life."
After this experience, I often recommend the Sentier National to people who want to get into bivouacking. Here's why it's a smart choice:
Unlike more isolated destinations, the Sentier National offers a good balance between adventure and safety. The trails are well marked, bivouac sites are developed, and you're never very far from an emergency exit.
In three days, you cross an incredible diversity of ecosystems: mixed forests, hidden lakes, peat bogs, panoramic views. It's like a condensed version of all the most beautiful things Quebec nature has to offer.
| Sector | Main Landscape | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Rivière-à-la-Pêche | Mixed forest | Gentle introduction |
| Lac des Cinq | Forest lake | Peaceful bivouac |
| Central sector | Hills and lookouts | Panoramic views |
| Lac Édouard | Isolated lake | Total solitude |
| Grandes-Piles | Valley and river | Forest history |
The trail allows for a natural progression in difficulty. You start quietly, get used to the weight of the pack, and challenges gradually increase. Perfect for building confidence without getting discouraged.
If you're new to hiking, I suggest starting with day trips on trails like the Parc du Mont Arthabaska before diving into bivouacking.
Before concluding, here are my most practical tips to ensure your adventure on the Sentier National goes smoothly.
Water is abundant on the trail, but it must ALWAYS be purified. I use a combination of purification tablets and a portable filter. Never take risks with water in nature!
Mauricie is home to black bears. Even though encounters are rare, food management is crucial:
These precautions may seem excessive, but they protect both the bears and you. A bear that associates humans with food becomes dangerous and often must be killed.
These three days on the Sentier National de la Mauricie marked a turning point in my passion for the outdoors. I discovered that bivouacking is much more than a camping technique: it's a way of traveling that transforms your relationship with nature.
Here's what this adventure brought me:
If you're still hesitating to try the bivouac adventure, I strongly encourage you to take the plunge. Maybe start with one night, then two, then three. Each outing will teach you something new about nature... and about yourself.
The Sentier National de la Mauricie awaits you. With its mysterious forests, crystal-clear lakes and breathtaking sunsets, it offers the perfect setting for your first real bivouac adventure. So, what are you waiting for? Your best outdoor memories might be just a few kilometers from home, hidden in the meanders of this legendary trail.
Prepare your pack, study your maps, and embark on this adventure that could very well change your vision of wilderness camping in Quebec!
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Written by François Dumaine
