10 Best Places to See Fall Foliage
Every fall, the Québec City Area comes alive in an amazing blaze of autumn colour. Here are the best spots to see the brightest fall foliage.
Make the most of your journey by consulting the fall foliage map that tracks the changing fall colours across Québec (available in September et October). The best time to visit Québec City for fall colours is the end of September and early October.
- @brittanywaycott
1Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier is a magnet for hikers and photography buffs. More than 100 km (62 miles) of hiking trails lead to some of the park's most scenic landscapes.
- Mélanie Jean
2Marais du Nord
Located north of Saint-Charles Lake, the Marais du Nord wetlands are a favourite with bird-watchers (160 species) and nature lovers. A 8-kilometre trail network meanders through this exceptional natural site with various observation points on the lake and the marshes. You may get a chance to see osprey fishing, or a muskrat.
- @ferlattez
3Mont-Sainte-Anne
Mont-Sainte-Anne is a delight for sports enthusiasts with its hiking and mountain biking trails. It is also possible to make the ascent in the chairlift to enjoy the grandiose views of the St. Lawrence River and to walk back down.
- Canyon Sainte-Anne, Audet Photo
4Canyon Sainte-Anne
The spectacular Canyon Sainte-Anne is best viewed from the easy network of paths and the 3 suspension bridges, one of which is the highest in Québec, at 60 meters above the gorge! A memorable sight in fall!
- ECCC
5Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area
Those who enjoy wildlife watching will not want to miss the thousands of Snow Geese at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area. This major Canadian bird-watching site is the perfect spot to watch the impressive flocks of Snow Geese that migrate every spring and fall.
- Secteur des gorges de la rivière Sainte-Anne
6Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix
At Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix, discover stunning panoramas on the St. Lawrence River when hiking the different trails. Also enjoy the migration of flocks of Snow Geese, forming elegant white “Vs” as they fly from the capes!
- Alain Blanchette
7Massif de Charlevoix
No need to wait until winter to appreciate the spectacular views of the Massif de Charlevoix. By becoming a 4-season resort, the Massif allows you to enjoy the mountain to its fullest: mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and gondola rides are offered every day until October 14, 2024.
- @lewisandthebeast
8Vallée Bras-du-Nord
Several options are available to admire the colours in this beautiful valley of the Portneuf region. Whether you prefer hiking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking or canyoning, Vallée Bras-du-Nord offer all these activities!
- Parc naturel régional de Portneuf, Jess Megan
9Portneuf Regional Park
This immense park boasts exceptional rock formations. Along with hiking trails that span over 70 km, the park features impressive rock faces used for climbing. With its decommissioned hydroelectric station, where you can walk through what’s left of the penstock, Portneuf Regional Park is a surprisingly well-kept secret in the area.
- Plaines d'Abraham, Guy Lessard
10Urban Parks
You don't need to leave town to get your fill of fresh air and fall foliage, thanks to Québec City's many urban parks: the Plains of Abraham, Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge, Domaine de Maizerets… the choice is yours.
See all our tips to make the most of the fall season in Québec City and around.