Here’s a suggested itinerary for four days of fun and discovery in the La Matapédia sector in Gaspésie. On the agenda: heritage discovery, hiking, biking, fishing, salmon observation and gourmet finds.
Day 1 – Arrival in Gaspésie and drive to La Matapédia
Once you arrive in Mont-Joli, you’re in Gaspésie. To reach the La Matapédia sector, you’ll need to head southeast towards Amqui. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll find yourself in Saint-Moïse at the gateway to La Matapédia. And in another 30 minutes, you’ll arrive in the charming town of Amqui.
After dropping off your luggage at a lodging establishment in Amqui or the surrounding area, you can set off to explore. In Sayabec, you can visit the heritage train station, which now houses an interpretation centre focuses on the history of this site and the importance of the train station to the development of the community. The centre also exhibits works by artists and artisans and sells locally made gourmet products.
In the evening, head to Amqui for dinner. The Pastali restaurant (in Selectôtel Amqui) offers a family-friendly menu of pasta dishes, pizzas and other comfort foods. The Ambassadeur resto-bar also has something for everyone, including fish, seafood and grilled dishes.
Day 2 – Hiking, mountain biking and regional specialties
Head next to Parc régional de Val-d’Irène, a regional park and four-season outdoor recreation centre, for a morning of hiking or mountain biking. The park offers 12 km of easy to intermediate hiking trails as well as cross-country and enduro mountain bike trails you can explore on your own.
In the afternoon, set off on a short foodie tour. Your first stop is the La Vallée de la Framboise economuseum in Val-Brillant, where you can buy fresh raspberries in season as well as many other types of berries. You’ll also find fruit wines, liqueurs, mistelles, spreads, pies and other treats made on site. You can tour the facilities and pick your own in season.
For happy hour or dinner, head to the Microbrasserie La Captive brewpub in Amqui. Enjoy a refreshing local beer and a tasty bite to eat from their varied menu featuring local ingredients, which includes main-course salads, gourmet sandwiches, burgers and fine pizzas.
Day 3 – Fishing or salmon observation in Causapscal
If you’re a fishing enthusiast, this is your opportunity to go trout fishing in the Dunière Wildlife Reserve, which covers an area of 578 km2. Keep your eyes peeled: the reserve is home to a large moose population, so with any luck, you’ll spot one! You can also go salmon fishing or be introduced to the sport at the Matapédia and Patapédia Rivers Wildlife Reserve.
If you’d prefer to observe fish instead, visit the Site des Chutes et Marais, an Atlantic salmon observation site in Causapscal. The site features a natural pool where you can watch the salmon, along with interpretive trails, observation decks and picnic areas.
At the end of your day, head to the charming restaurant in Auberge La Coulée Douce, which offers regional cuisine featuring daily fresh fish, meat, pasta and seafood dishes.
Day 4 – Visit to a fish market
Before you hit the road again, take the time to stop at the La Fille du Pêcheur fish market in Amqui where you can stock up on fish, seafood, prepared foods and a variety of locally made treats. You may want to enjoy some of your purchases during a picnic on your way home!
To extend your stay, find out more about all seven sectors of Gaspésie.
Please note that this itinerary is intended for information purposes only and is not a package. It is meant to inspire you and may be modified as you wish.
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