Overview
Activities
Hiking
Photos
With an area of 153.7 km2, the Monts Valin National Park is one of the most important natural parks inQuebec. It is located in the Saquenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, on the north bank of the Saguenay River.
The park was created in 1996 to preserve the beauty of the Valin Mountains and is a popular destination for those who love outdoor living. From a landscape point of view,the Valin Mountains National Park presents a unique wilderness,made up of peaks that range from 300m to 900m and valleys, such as the canyon of the Sainte-Marguerite River.
Here is the reign of hiking,which can be practiced throughout the year, thanks to the many setiersthat allow you tocovereachtimedifferentaspects of theMonts Valin.
The trails are classified from easy to high difficulty and have avaried length, so you can choose the one that best suits your requirements!
A recommended trail
A well-known hiking trail in the Valin Mountains National Park is the Pic-de-la-Hutte. This trail has two different variants,having a way back and forth:
· The full version, which is longue about 16km and has a670m drop
· The abbreviated version, long 3km, avec a70m dereve.
Both variants are accessible from May to October and culminate at Pic-de-la-Hutte, one of the highest peaks in the park. This one, with its 900m altitude, offers a magnificent view of the city of Saguenay and the border of Lake Saint Jean.
The longest trail has an easy time and is recommended for expert hikers,when the abbreviated version is also suitable for families. There are two different starting points:
· The Discovery and Services Centre, which is located near the park's reception
· The Pic-de-la Hut Parking, 9km from the Discovery and Services Centre
Services
What are the best trails at Parc National Des Monts-valin ?
-
TrailsDistanceElevationDifficulty
-
Le Mirador7.5 km70 mBeginner
-
Le Point de vue5 km100 mBeginner
-
Le Lac-des-Pères3 km50 mBeginner
-
Pic 3607 km830 mIntermediate
-
Le Couloir de l'Est5.5 kmIntermediate
-
Le Fantôme - Le Pionnier4.5 kmIntermediate
-
Ulysse4 km420 mIntermediate
-
La Vallée des Fantômes3 km275 mIntermediate
-
Le Fantôme - Le Piedmont6.5 kmAdvanced
-
Le Pic-de-la-Tête-de-Chien2.5 km340 mAdvanced
-
Le Pic-du-Grand-Corbeau2 km590 mAdvanced
-
Le Pic-de-la-Hutte2 km670 mAdvanced
-
Sentier des Plateaux12 km110 mAdvanced
Details
Contact Information
Rating and comments
Why visit this place
Hiking isn't the only reason it's worth visiting the park. Here in fact you can do severalsportsactivities throughout the year.
Especially in winter you can practice cross-country skiing and Nordicskiing, thanksto more than 71km of trails,which at the same time will allow youto admire the wonderux snowy panorama and the rock faces. The trails are lined with refuges, where you can rest between one descent and the other.
The park's lakes also offer foodfor anyone who enjoys fishing. Also at the Discovery and Services Centre you can buy fishing access rights and rent a boat (this is possible for most lakes, otherwise you have to have a personal boat).
You can fish by the day or take advantage of the fishing-camping package,which includes a site at le Settentrional campsite, a boat and the right of access fora day.
Things not to be missed
Beyondsports activities, the Monts Valin National Park is above all a spectacle of nature. Its main attraction is the Valley of the Ghosts,whichcan bejoinedwith a tracked shuttle.
Here in winter the snow is all coveredwith its white layer and createdthe surprising décor of mummies and fântomas. Your children will be fascinated by its magic! If you want to spend holidays with your family, the park offers a lot of solutions for accommodation.
For example, you canre-serve oneof the 14 cottages located inside thepark in thePiedmont or Alexis Bay areas. If you prefer a hotelinChicoutimi, there is the Auberge Le Parasol, a nice hotel with rooms with kitchenette. Finally,during a stay inclosecontact with nature, it is still the solution of the campsite,which is, among other things, theideal forschool groups.
And for a deliciousrustic menu, in Saint Fulgence you'll find La Vieille Ferme,where you can taste local products like smoked salmon.