It’s been a long winter, and we’re going to make the most of spring. The first blade of grass we spotted between two patches of cracked asphalt made our hearts beat faster, and the first time we sat in the sun to enjoy the warm rays of the sun – it was the foretaste that makes us want to spend more time outside…
But we don’t just want to wander in the forest, or in Montreal – we want to fill our eyes and hearts with the sublime natural beauty that, let’s face it, is pretty easy to find in Quebec. Here, we’ve found a hike that’s truly off the beaten track…
We’re planning ahead, because it opens in mid-May!
It’s 35 kilometers south of downtown Rimouski, and it’s a treasure trove of natural beauty, the aptly-named Canyon des Portes de l’Enfer.
It’s smaller than the Grand Canyon, but the steep walls plunge down to a small river for almost 5 kilometers – enough for a nice hike with the family.
Immense beauty, and a little adrenalin
Not only can you hike the trails that follow the canyon’s rim, but you can also cross the highest suspension bridge in Quebec (very Indiana Jones) and look down into the Canyon… A welcome shot of adrenalin to kick-start the summer!
You can also go down (and up) the 300 steps leading to the Rimouski river, to immerse yourself in the forest and meditate at the bottom of the canyon, surrounded by the smell of fresh fir sap, the deafening sound of the river’s rapids and the soft spring sunshine through the branches.
Adventure for families
After the hike, you can enjoy the night show “The Legend of the Evil Boat”, a multimedia haunted historical tale, from July 5. We know it won’t be spring again, but we can also plan this summer’s hikes…
But already, you can take the interactive forest walk La Route du Diable, an immersive experience with a bit of local folklore and a bit of magic…
And from June, you can also visit the Labyrinthe des Secrets, a mysterious maze, also in the forest.
Practical info
How do I get there? Canyon des Portes de l’Enfer is in Saint-Narcisse-de-Rimouski, a 5h30-6h drive from Montreal. It’s also possible to take the bus to Rimouski, and the Canyon is a 30-minute drive from the city.
Where do we sleep? In Rimouski or on site, in Terfa’s chalets (or yurts), or camping (even if it’s a bit chilly at night).
Do I need to reserve for the hike? You don’t need to make a reservation for access to the trails, just turn up at the welcome chalet – but if you prefer, you can buy daily access tickets online beforehand. For immersive trails and other activities, you’ll need to book online.
How much does it cost? The daily pass for families (2 adults, 2 children) is $51.73, for adults $18.35 and for children (5-17) $9.95. For activities, bookings must be made on the Terfa website.
Where to eat? The restaurant is open from the end of June, so we’ll be buying sandwiches and petits québec in Rimouski for our picnics, and of course bringing our water bottles, sun cream and mosquito repellent.
Nice hike!