Bridges cross peaks and cut through forest on the Charlevoix Traverse | Pierre Bouchard

Enjoy serene hiking along the Malbaie River | Leigh McAdam

Porcupines can be found along the Traversee de Charlevoix | Leigh McAdam

A spectacular day hike from the first hut on the Charlevoix Traverse | Leigh McAdam

Hiking the optional Mont Du Four trail, Charlevoix | Tourisme Charlevoix, BESIDE

Guided Charlevoix Hut to Hut

Canada

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6 reviews

8 Days from

$1840 USD

Trip Code: GCV

View dates to Book

Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement (Quebec City hotel only)

$130 USD

Duration

8 Days

Activities

7 days guided hiking

Accommodation

1 night hotel
6 nights multi-share basic huts

Meals

6 Dinners
7 Lunches
7 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

5 / 10

Moderate

Carbon Footprint

35kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(248kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Hike one of the best long-distance trails east of the Canadian Rockies
Experience the freedom of thru-hiking while carrying only a daypack
Enjoy the untouched wilderness of UNESCO-designated Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve
Take in the beauty of Parc des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-riviere-Malbaie
Look out for rare caribou in Parc des Grands-Jardins
Meet like-minded outdoor enthusiasts on the trail and at the huts

Overview

The Traversée de Charlevoix is one of the longest and most magical hiking trails in Quebec at 105km/60 miles from start to finish. Located in the mountainous hinterland of the Charlevoix region, at the heart of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, this rugged trail offers outdoor enthusiasts a real challenge through a pristine forest environment. Six backcountry huts line the trail, each equipped with a 2-burner camp stove, cooking/dining equipment, and comfortable mattresses in an upstairs sleeping area. The huts, combined with daily luggage transfers, allow hikers to tackle the rugged trail without the need to carry camping equipment. With your luggage transfers, we've included drinking water refills, easy-to-prepare meals, and daily fresh food items. This means that you only have to carry a day pack on the trail and no advanced food planning is required - We'll take care of it all!

Itinerary

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Arrive in Québec City, the renowned provincial capital. Quebec City is famous for Old Quebec, the fortified historical and cultural heart of the city and a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be staying in or near the Old town tonight, and the treasured city will be available for you to explore. Québec City has plenty to see and do, and we suggest extending your stay here before or after your tour. We can assist with reserving extra nights so that you can fully experience one of the oldest European cities in North America.

Meals: Nil

This leg has lovely downhill slopes. From Lac-de-l'Écluse, the trail runs along the Ruisseau aux Mouches, then the southwest Gouffre River. Crossing forests and plains, today's highlights include old and imposing fir and spruce trees, a lush array of shrubs and herbaceous plants, and a view over the edge of an impact crater. The crater was created by a meteorite some 360 million years ago. Overnight Chalet la Marmotte. (Elevation gain/loss: +160m/-420m or +520ft/-1380ft )

Meals: B,L,D

Today's hike culminates with with panoramic views at the top of Mt. Noyee. The view is beautiful - on clear days you can even see the St-Lawrence River in the distance. The descent that follows soon leads to the Chalet La Chouette, located near the lake of the same name. (Elevation gain/loss: +550m/-400m or +1800ft/-1310ft)

Meals: B,L,D

Awaiting you today is a real treat - the Hautes-Gorges Valley and the beautiful Malbaie River, the region's majestic 160km/100mile long waterway. While covering a long distance, today is mostly downhill and offers amazing views, bridge crossings, and the gigantic trees of Grands-Ormes ecological reserve. After an initial uphill bringing you to amazing views of the Acropole des Draveurs and Mont Félix-Antoine-Savard, a long downhill brings you to the entrance of Parc National des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviere-Malbaie. This Parc National is a protected area where you will be wonderfully immersed for the next two hiking days. The location of your hut tonight is spectacular with views of the Malbaie River and the surrounding mountains. Overnight Chalet Gaie Bleu. (Elevation gain/loss: +440m/-780m or +1440ft/-2560ft)

Meals: B,L,D

There is an uphill climb for most of the day, but it is gradual. After following the Malbaie River, the trail leaves it and climbs along Chouinard stream (Ruisseau Chouinard), leading to some lovely panoramic lookouts of the narrow valley and the surroundings. Overnight Chalet Le Coyote. (Elevation gain/loss: +550m/-180m or +1800ft/-590ft)

Meals: B,L,D

The trail today is mostly comprised of former forestry paths, making for a lovely walk. Along the way, you will walk through an area of regrowth as the site was once destroyed by forest fire. In the summer, note the wide array of berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) growing along the trail. Keep your eye out for a beaver dam - the patient hiker may even get a glimpse of its resident. Overnight Chalet l'Épervier. (Elevation gain/loss: +340m/-500m or +1120ft/-1640ft)

Meals: B,L,D

The trail continues from the Traversée de Charlevoix and offers breathtaking views of the river, especially in the first few kilometres. After circling Lake McLeod, the path leads towards Mount Orignac and onwards to your hut for the evening. Overnight Chalet Uapishtan. (Elevation gain/loss: +398m/-394m or +1306ft/-1293ft)

Meals: B,L,D

Your final day on the trail involves a climb to several interesting viewpoints over the valley. Afterwards, the trail heads towards the mountain peaks, passing by the Petit Lake Noir and continuing to the village of Saint-Siméon. Depending on timing, your pickup will either meet you here or by the Petit Lake Noir with your luggage for a transfer to Québec City. The group will make a well-deserved gourmet stop at a restaurant on the way back. (Elevation gain/loss: +599m/-1000m or +1965ft/-3281ft)

Meals: B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What's included?

Included

7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
Drinking water delivered daily to each hut
1 night double occupancy hotel
6 nights in multi-share back country huts (non-private)
Licensed wilderness guide
Pick-up from Québec City
Drop-off in Québec City
Daily luggage transfers
Sleeping mat
Sleeping bag (needs to be requested separately in advance)
Shared use of group camping equipment
Emergency assistance
Park entry fees

Not included

Travel to/from Québec City
Items of a personal nature
Meals and transfers not indicated in the itinerary
Travel Insurance
Tips and gratuities
Applicable taxes of approx 15% when booking made in North America
Rental equipment such as backpacks, and walking poles (needs to be requested, limited supply)