Sentier National
National Hiking Trail
The place
The Sentier National runs through nine regions of Quebec: Outaouais, the Laurentians, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Québec, Charlevoix, Manicouagan, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie.
Why go
Mont-Mégantic National Park (a dark-sky reserve). Mont-Orford and its panoramas. The Appalachian corridor and its biodiversity. Cap-Tourmente National Wildlife Area and its snow geese (spectacular autumn migration).
A bit of history
Quebec's Sentier National was designed by the Fédération québécoise de la marche (FQM) in the 1990s as the Quebec equivalent of the French Grande Randonnée trails. It is managed in partnership with numerous regional outdoor associations.
Getting there
Sutton: coach from Montreal (1h30). Cap-Tourmente: bus from Quebec City (1h). Accessible from Montreal or Quebec City.
Recommended gear
Waterproof hiking boots. Insect repellent (blackflies in June). Warm clothing for cool nights.
Best season
June to October. Blackflies are intense in May–June. Autumn is magnificent (maple colors, geese at Cap-Tourmente). Some sections are passable on snowshoes in winter.