14 Ecotourism-Certified Outdoor Activities in Québec

The Québec International Appalachian Trail (IAT) is the first Grande Randonnée (GR®) footpath in North America. Set course for the Gaspé Peninsula and choose from a range of options for exploring this 650 km route running through the mountains of Parc National de la Gaspésie and the Matane wildlife reserve.

Newbies and seasoned trekkers alike will find plenty of room to roam, with everything from self-guided hikes to 1- to 3-day guided outings through some of the peninsula’s most spectacular terrain. We’re especially keen on the services available to hikers doing the IAT on their own, including vehicle and luggage transport and food drops. Along with the views from the summits, there are great opportunities for viewing wildlife, particularly moose, which are common in this part of the Gaspé.

Next stop: Baie-Comeau on Québec’s North Shore, home to another accredited Québec Adventure Outdoor member. The folks at Attitude Nordique-Plein Air share their love of the outdoors through a great lineup of guided activities on land, on water, and high above it all with a via ferrata and ziplines.

We love the Nord-Côtière package: a guided hike along the St. Lawrence shoreline past ancient glacial grooves that ends in an uber-fun finale with two overwater ziplines. Here too, every effort is made to deliver safe, quality adventures with minimal environmental impact—the trademark of the Québec Adventure Outdoor network.

The sea kayaking excursions offered by Côte-Nord’s Mer et Monde écotours are an ideal way to explore the whales’ world with minimal impact. This company runs half- and full-day guided tours from Bergeronnes and Tadoussac.

Saguenay Aventures boasts 30 years of experience as an adventure and ecotourism operator in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. The company offers guided whale watching tours on the fjord and estuary aboard a covered 48-passenger Zodiac and an open-air 24-passenger version.

Over in the Gaspé, hop aboard the Narval III, a safe, fast, and comfortable vessel run by Croisières Baie de Gaspé. Count on this company for an exciting ride in the waters off Forillon National Park, at the tip of the peninsula, where six species of whales can be seen. Just don’t get too distracted by the beautiful scenery in Gaspé Bay!

Parcours Aventures offers challenging routes for both beginners and experts on some of the most spectacular cliffs these two regions have to offer: the Saguenay via ferrata snakes its way along the massive rock face overlooking the Saguenay Fjord at Baie-Éternité, while the Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes via ferrata is located in the heart of Parc national des Grands-

Jardins in Charlevoix. In both cases, you’ll need to book your via ferrata experience through Sépaq.

Charlevoix-based Projet Vertical is another company offering a memorable via ferrata experience. La Charlevoix is the name of the route they’ve created on a rock face at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu in La Malbaie. The 500-metre mid-level course (which kids age 7 and older can do) offers breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River.

This adventure experience is also “Quality and Safety” certified. What does that mean? Rigorous safety standards, quality equipment, and expert local guides who know the local environment inside out—your guarantee of an eco-friendly experience.

At Parc national du Bic, Aventures Archipel runs daily guided kayak tours to explore the capes, bays, and secret coves where harbour seals lie in the sun, surrounded by seabirds. These tours are a great way to learn about the area’s natural history and cultural heritage while giving your arms a bit of a workout and treating your peepers to some beautiful sights.

The same kind of magic awaits further east at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, where Cap Aventure is the sole sea kayak operator authorized to run tours in the waters of Forillon National Park. Accompanied by a seasoned guide with in-depth knowledge of the local environment, you’ll paddle in complete safety as you admire Gaspé Bay’s gorgeous scenery and abundant marine life, including seals and whales.

For more spectacular scenery and encounters with the giants of the sea, head to the north shore of the river and the Saguenay Fjord—specifically to the lovely village of L’Anse-Saint-Jean, where Fjord en kayak offers a great lineup of guided sea kayak excursions and expeditions.

With their stunning terrain and incredible biodiversity, Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay and the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park form a remarkable playground for the adventure that awaits. It’s simply one of the best whale-watching spots in the world! All activities—from 2-hour family excursions to 3-day expeditions to the estuary—are “Quality and Safety” certified for an outstanding experience that’s easy on the environment.

Based in La Baie in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, Contact Nature Okwari Le Fjord is committed to protecting and enhancing the environment through its outdoor activities. Contact Nature’s naturalists offer an opportunity to learn more about an animal you might otherwise have overlooked—the Atlantic salmon—at the interpretation centre the company runs at Rivière-à-Mars. Penetrate the secrets of the fish ladder and delve into the habits of the “King of Fish,” which shares its habitat here with the sea trout.

Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region is one of those places where you can experience nature up close and personal—even in your sleep! In addition to a varied lineup of outdoor activities, the park features a nice selection of out-of-the-box accommodation options. Treehouses, hanging spheres, glass domes, coolboxes, and log cabins (not to mention classic conventional camping) make for nights to remember along the Saguenay Fjord.

Sleeping green is also a “thing” at the Griffon Adventure Hostel in the Gaspé. Here too, a philosophy of sustainability informs both the hostel’s outdoor activities and accommodations, all just steps from Forillon National Park. Whether you’re staying in one of the rustic cabins dreamed up by the owners, glamping in a prospector tent, or camping under the trees, everything is designed to be authentic and eco-friendly. For a rustic roof over our heads, we’re gaga for Le Griffon, a converted fishing boat with room for six, a giant deck, and a sweeping ocean view. Epic!

To learn or to get gnarly like never before, make a beeline for Vallée Bras-du-Nord, just a short trip from Québec City. With more than 100 km of well-maintained trails in two distinct sectors—Saint-Raymond and Shannahan—VBN is a mountain-biking must. The impressive network includes more than 60 km of singletrack. Many trails buffs see this site as the ultimate cross-country destination in Québec.

In addition to the tours for all levels and bike rentals, we like the tips and introductory courses developed for beginners by this Québec Adventure Outdoor network member. Fill your lungs with fresh air and enjoy a safe, high-quality, eco-friendly experience as you pump up and blast down VBN.