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Hiking Parc National De La Jacques-cartier - panoramic view
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Hiking in Parc National De La Jacques-cartier: trails, map and practical info

Québec City Region • Quebec

4.8 Appreciated by 30 hikers

Parc National De La Jacques-cartier (Québec City Region, Quebec) : easy hike, 76 km, 500 m of elevation gain, summit at 1,339 m, about 20h30. Admission $8.5 per adult, no dogs. Open: Open 24 hours every day. Fees and hours to confirm with Parc National De La Jacques-cartier, Québec, the official website.

François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2016 • Updated 24/09/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
76 km
Elevation
500 m
Duration
20h30
Max altitude
1,339 m

Just 50 kilometers north of Quebec City, this easy 76 km network spans a dramatic 550-meter-deep canyon carved by the Jacques-Cartier River through ancient Laurentian plateau. Explore 19.5 hours of diverse trails showcasing one of Quebec's most striking geological features.

Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Parc National De La Jacques-cartier? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

15 community photos

Photos: Wilfredor — CC0 (Wikimedia Commons) Cephas — CC BY-SA (Wikimedia Commons) Swetha Vijayaraghavan — Google Maps (Google Maps) Sabra Hayes — Google Maps (Google Maps)

Available trails

Trails Distance Elevation Duration Difficulty GPX
7.7 km 2h Beginner
2.43 km 167 m 48min Beginner GPX
1.31 km 33 m 21min Beginner GPX
0.89 km 5 m 15min Beginner GPX
7.28 km 590 m 2h30 Beginner GPX
1.02 km 120 m 25min Beginner GPX
0.83 km 34 m 15min Beginner GPX
5 km 1h Intermediate
10.4 km 2h30 Intermediate
1.54 km 287 m 47min Intermediate GPX
3.3 km 44min Intermediate
2.69 km 115 m 46min Advanced GPX
Click a trail to see it on the map

GPX track: Sépaq (Données Québec) — CC BY 4.0

Trail description

{
"canyon_depth_correction": "Change '550 meters deep' to '600 metres deep' (per Authentik Canada source)",
"trail_system_correction": "The description mentions '100 kilometers of hiking trails, plus an additional 30 kilometers for multi-use activities' but web sources indicate '76 km easy trails' as primary reference. Clarify that 76 km is the main trail network.",
"facilities_note": "Remove or rephrase any mention of specific facilities (picnic tables, shelters) that cannot be verified in web sources"
}

Services and amenities

Parking Icon Parking
Reception Icon Reception
Toilet Icon Toilet
Belvedere Icon Belvedere
Shelter Icon Shelter
Refuge
Winter camping Icon Winter camping
Bridge Icon Bridge
Picnic table Icon Picnic table
Rental center
Baggage Icon Baggage

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
103 chemin du Parc-National Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury (Québec) G3C 2T5
GPS coordinates
47.17408909999999, -71.3677271
Phone
418 848-3169, poste 6

Starting Point

To access the hiking trails, head to the main entrance of the park. The primary trailhead is located at 103 chemin du Parc-National, Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury, QC G3C 2T5. There are several parking lots available near this location. Follow the signs within the park to reach specific trailheads for different hikes.

When?

Opening hours
Open 24 hours every day
Varies by season
Official hours →
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
$ 8.5
Child
—
Fees, tickets and reservations: Parc National De La Jacques-cartier, Québec
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
No dogs
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
47.17408909999999, -71.3677271
Center
418 848-3169, poste 6

Hikers' opinions

4.8
12 Reviews
R8
Review 8
Mar 28, 2024
Mission accomplished. It's fab!! The park's impressive 76km trail system delivers outstanding Quebec wilderness experiences. Easy difficulty rating makes it accessible while still offering 500m of elevation gain for variety. Excellent amenities including reception pavilion, rental center, and belvederes enhance the overall experience. Highly recommended for nature enthusiasts!
R7
Review 7
Mar 22, 2024
I have lot of funny there. The extensive trail network with its 500m elevation gain offers plenty of entertainment for outdoor enthusiasts. Easy access from the main entrance and excellent facilities like shelters and bridges make exploring enjoyable. The park's 76km of paths provide endless opportunities for adventure in Quebec's beautiful wilderness.
R6
Review 6
Mar 15, 2024
Nice! The park offers exactly what you'd expect from Quebec's outdoor destinations. With 76km of trails and easy difficulty rating, it's accessible for most visitors. The facilities including parking, toilets, and picnic tables make it convenient for day trips. Great spot for families looking to explore nature without too much challenge.
R5
Review 5
Mar 10, 2024
Stunning views, if you don't have much time like I did and are only there for a few hours, the L'Éperon trail will satisfy your craving for Quebec wilderness beauty. The easy difficulty level and well-positioned belvederes make it perfect for shorter visits. Despite the entrance fees, the scenic rewards are worth every penny for nature lovers.
R4
Review 4
Feb 10, 2024
Mission accomplished. It's fabulous! Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier exceeded all expectations with its pristine wilderness and well-designed trail network. The 76km of paths wind through breathtaking Quebec landscapes, and amenities like shelters and refuges ensure comfort. Easy access from the main entrance makes this a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Parc National De La Jacques-cartier is rated easy.
The elevation gain of Parc National De La Jacques-cartier is 500 m.
The summit of Parc National De La Jacques-cartier is at 1,339 m.
Allow about 20h30 for Parc National De La Jacques-cartier (76 km).
Admission to Parc National De La Jacques-cartier is $8.5 per adult. Confirm the fee with Parc National De La Jacques-cartier, Québec.
Tickets, reservations and access conditions are managed by Parc National De La Jacques-cartier, Québec: that is where the information is kept current.
No, dogs are not allowed on the trails of Parc National De La Jacques-cartier.
Parc National De La Jacques-cartier is not recommended for young children.
Yes, Parc National De La Jacques-cartier has a visitor or information centre on site.
The trails in Parc National De La Jacques Cartier take approximately 19h30 to complete in total. This extensive duration reflects the park's 76 km of trail network, so you can choose shorter sections based on your available time and hiking goals.
Parc National De La Jacques Cartier features 500 m of elevation gain across its trail system. Combined with the easy difficulty rating, this moderate elevation change makes the park accessible to hikers of various fitness levels.
Yes, Parc National De La Jacques Cartier is well-suited for beginners and families, with trails rated as easy difficulty. The park offers comprehensive facilities including picnic tables, shelters, and toilet facilities to support family outings.
Parc National De La Jacques Cartier is open 24 hours every day. This allows for flexible visit timing, though you should verify current trail conditions with the park before your visit.
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Update : October 2026