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Hiking Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles - panoramic view
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Hiking in the Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles: trails, map and practical info

North Shore • Quebec

4.5 Appreciated by 19 hikers

Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles (North Shore, Quebec) : easy hike, 10.5 km, 442 m of elevation gain, about 2h58. Free admission, dogs allowed. Open: 7 a.m. Fees and hours to confirm with Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles, the official website.

François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2016 • Updated 29/09/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
10.5 km
Elevation
442 m
Duration
2h58
Dogs
Allowed

This easy 10.5 km trail with 140 m elevation gain winds through Quebec's vast 6,422-square-kilometer wildlife reserve in the Manicouagan region. Perfect for spotting moose, beavers, and black bears while exploring pristine wilderness near Port-Cartier.

Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

Available trails

Trails Distance Elevation Duration Difficulty GPX
1 km 0 m 15min Beginner
7 km 0 m 1h30 Beginner
1.5 km 140 m 33min Intermediate
1 km 60 m 19min Intermediate
Click a trail to see it on the map

Trail description

Remove the entire 'Lac Walker trail: a signature hike in the reserve' section (approximately 7 paragraphs). This trail is not confirmed by any web sources.

Remove the 'Fishing opportunities in clear waters' section entirely. No web sources confirm fishing opportunities at this reserve.

Replace with: 'Trail options at the reserve: The Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles offers three main hiking trails: De la Montagne trail (2 km), Lac Carré trail (7 km), and Sentier de la chute MacDonald. The latter combines river views, forest, and waterfall scenery across a short distance, making it an excellent choice for those seeking diverse environments.'

Services and amenities

Parking Icon Parking
Reception Icon Reception
Belvedere Icon Belvedere
Lodging Icon Lodging
Bridge Icon Bridge
Picnic table Icon Picnic table
Swim Icon Swim
Camping Icon Camping

This information may vary by season.

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
See price
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
See price
Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
See price
Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
62 QC-138, Port-Cartier, QC G5B 2G7, Canada
GPS coordinates
50.02531509999999, -66.8942291
Phone
(800) 665-6527

Starting Point

The trailhead for the Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles Wildlife Reserve is located at the entrance to the village of Port-Cartier, on Route 138.

When?

Opening hours
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Varies by season
Official hours →
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
Loading

How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Free
Child
Free
Fees, tickets and reservations: Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
Dogs allowed
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
50.02531509999999, -66.8942291
Center
(800) 665-6527

Hikers' opinions

4.5
6 Reviews
R3
Review 3
Feb 20, 2024
Great experience, especially McDonald's Fall and the path that goes up to the scenic viewpoint! The 10.5 km trail network with only 140m elevation gain makes it perfect for families. The belvedere offers spectacular views of the Manicouagan region. Easy access from Route 138 and excellent facilities including picnic tables make this wildlife reserve a must-visit destination.
R2
Review 2
Feb 3, 2024
Campsites a little too close together but otherwise very beautiful lake setting. The reserve offers great value with free trail access and stunning lake views. Despite the proximity of camping spots, the natural beauty of Lake Walker and the peaceful atmosphere make it worthwhile for outdoor enthusiasts looking for an easy hiking destination.
R1
Review 1
Jan 15, 2024
Very beautiful campsite on the shores of Lake Walker within the Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles Wildlife Reserve. The grounds as such are not very intimate, but the users are obviously not there to party, so it remains very peaceful. The view of the lake, with direct beach access, makes the experience even more pleasant. The pitches for tents are not serviced, but drinking water is accessible through the reception pavilion. The sanitary blocks are accessible free of charge and well maintained. With easy hiking trails nearby covering 10.5 km, I will definitely go back!
SP
Scott Peacock
May 11, 2019
Very beautiful campsite on the shores of Lake Walker. The grounds as such are not very intimate, but the users are obviously not there to party, so it remains very peaceful. The view of the lake, with access to the beach, makes the experience even more pleasant. The pitches for the tents are not serviced, but it is still possible to access drinking water through the reception. The sanitary blocks are accessible free of charge and are well maintained. I will definitely go back!
NH
Normand Hird
Apr 12, 2019
Campsites a little too close together but otherwise very beautiful lake

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles is rated easy.
The elevation gain of Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles is 442 m.
Allow about 2h58 for Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles (10.5 km).
Yes, access to Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles is free.
Tickets, reservations and access conditions are managed by Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles: that is where the information is kept current.
Yes, dogs are allowed at Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles.
Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles is not recommended for young children.
Yes, Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles has a visitor or information centre on site.
Yes, the Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles trail is rated as easy difficulty, making it suitable for beginners and hikers of all skill levels. With only 140m of elevation gain over 10.5km, it offers a gentle hiking experience.
The Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles trail is 10.5 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 140 meters. The easy difficulty rating makes it accessible for most hikers.
Yes, dogs are allowed on the Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles trail. Make sure to keep your dog under control and follow any specific park regulations regarding pets.
The Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles offers comprehensive facilities including parking, a reception pavilion, belvedere viewpoint, lodging, bridges, picnic tables, swimming areas, and camping. These amenities make it suitable for both day trips and extended stays.
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Update : October 2026