The International Appalachian Trail in Quebec covers more than 650 km of trails. It starts at Matapedia, then heads towards the Valley to Amqui before reaching the Matane wildlife reserve. It crosses the Parc de la Gaspésie including the Albert and Jacques-Cartier mountains, then descends towards Mont-Saint-Pierre where it follows the sea, from village to village, to Forillon National Park. Ranging from a rural setting in an agricultural setting to the steep cliffs of Forillon which overlook the sea, passing by the summits of the Chic-Chocset of the McGerrigle, the trail offers several possibilities for hiking. The trail is suitable for routes of varying duration (1 to 40 days) and difficulty (slight or steep drop).

Depending on the season, some sections can be covered from mid-May, but overall the trail is accessible from mid-June to the end of October. Services for hikers and members are offered along the trail in collaboration with our partners (transportation, accommodation, guide, supplies, information, topographic maps, books, etc.).

Access to the trail is free, but a daily access fee is required in the parks (de la Gaspésie and Forillon ).

From Madeleine River to Forillon National Park 122.6 km

Between the sea and the mountains, the path unrolls its ribbon of landscapes and surprises. Impossible to describe everything; the fauna, flora and geomorphology are too rich and diverse there. By browsing the SIA you will discover how to live the Gaspé people and how they manage their territory: forest roads, cutting beds, rivers where salmon are caught, outfitters offering different services, cultural or historical places, maple groves and fishing harbors are not only a few examples of their achievements.

The path takes you to visit, from village to village, the Gaspé coast. Each agglomeration has its own story. Each municipality has a soul, a peculiarity. To you to discover them. For example: Madeleine and her singular bell tower; Grande-Vallée and its covered bridge; Petite-Vallée and its song festival; Saint-Yvon which was attacked by a torpedo; Anse-à-Valleau, which experienced the exile of the Pointe-à-la-Renommée lighthouse. You can also take a detour to Cloridorme and its 15 lakes, Saint-Maurice-de-l'Échourie and its picturesque harbor and find out in Rivière-au-Renard about the fishermen's revolt of 1909. In all these villages there are Information panels to guide you on the SIA and allow you to plan a day of hiking. You can also leave your car in each of these villages and explore the SIA for one or more days.

As everywhere else, on the trail, you can find accommodation, either by taking advantage of the services offered in the villages or, at intervals of 8 to 15 kilometers, on camping sites or in refuges arranged by the SIA and rented by SÉPAQ.

Follow the beacons and signs of the SIA and travel along the Côte-de-Gaspé: the end of the land, the cradle of Canada. Welcome!

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