Hiking in Gaspésie

Hike Between the Sea and Mountains

Gaspésie is an incredible hiking destination. Trails often meander between the sea and mountains, leading to views found nowhere else in Québec.

From family walks to treks over long distances, your options are endless. Four national parks, two regional parks, a UNESCO Global Geopark and dozens of local trails create a unique natural playground for hiking enthusiasts. The 650-km International Appalachian Trail will take you across Gaspésie all the way to the Maritimes and Maine. At the heart of the region, the Chic-Chocs rise like a sea of mountains.

Hiking in Gaspésie is more than just a summer activity. You can also hike in the spring, when the buds first appear; in the fall, when you can admire colourful leaves and spot moose; and in the winter, with crampons or snowshoes.

Note that some areas welcome dogs, including Forillon National Park, wildlife reserves and regional parks. During hunting season, national parks are your best option since access to other trails may be limited.

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Tips for Planning Your Hikes

Discover Some of the Best Places to Go Hiking in Gaspésie

Parc national de la Gaspésie Sainte-Anne-des-Monts National Park - Paid access, over 70,000 visitors

Credit: Mathieu Dupuis

Parc national de la Gaspésie

This park boasts 25 peaks, including Mont Albert and Mont Jacques-Cartier, which attract thousands of hikers every year. Very accessible, the Lac aux Américains and Ernest-Laforce trails are perfect for family outings. Dogs are only permitted in certain areas of the park.
Forillon National Park Gaspé National Park - Paid access, over 70,000 visitors

Credit: Mathieu Dupuis

Forillon National Park

Soak in the beauty of Forillon as you explore the park’s trails. Les Grave leads to a lookout at Land’s End, which offers a view of the sea as far as the eye can see. Follow the Mont Saint-Alban trail to an observation tower that offers a 360-degree panoramic view. Another option is the La Chute trail, which ends at a 17-metre waterfall. You can explore these and other trails in the park with your dog on a leash.
Percé UNESCO Global Geopark Percé Interpretation Sites

Credit: Mathieu Dupuis

Percé UNESCO Global Geopark

The Percé UNESCO Global Geopark offers 18 km of trails, all of which can be explored with your dog. Along the way, you will find several lookouts as well as a suspended glass platform overlooking Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island at an altitude of 200 metres. You can also admire twisted trees in the Magic Forest with your family and discover a bottomless hole and a crevasse.
Parc régional du Mont-Saint-Joseph Carleton-sur-Mer Regional and Municipal Park

Credit: Roger St-Laurent

Parc régional du Mont-Saint-Joseph

Overlooking Carleton-sur-Mer, the Mont-Saint-Joseph regional park offers breathtaking views of Chaleur Bay from a lookout that is 555 metres in altitude. Explore 30 km of trails featuring bridges and staircases that lead to streams and waterfalls. The interconnected trails allow for hikes of varying lengths. Dogs are permitted in certain areas of the park.
Sentier international des Appalaches (SIA) Québec GR A1 Matane Hiking - Services

Credit: Marie France L'Ecuyer

International Appalachian Trail (IAT)-GRA1

The International Appalachian Trail (IAT) crosses the region of Gaspésie from Matapédia to Cap-Gaspé via the Réserve faunique de Matane, Parc national de la Gaspésie and Forillon National Park. You can explore this trail on short hikes or trek the whole distance in about 40 days with overnight stays in huts or at campsites. This unique experience is a great way to challenge yourself and discover the mountains at the heart of Gaspésie.