Parc National des Hautes Gorges de la Rivière Malbaie


Work off all those Charlevoix goodies with an invigorating hike in this 225-sq-km provincial park, which has several unique features, including the highest rock faces east of the Rockies. Sheer rock plummets (by as much as 800m) to the calm Rivière Malbaie, creating one of Québec's loveliest river valleys. The park is located about 40km northwest of La Malbaie.

There are trails of all levels, from ambles around the 2.5km loop of the L'Érablière (Maple Grove) to vigorous hikes of up to 11km ascending to permafrost.

A highlight is the boat cruise up the river, squeezed between mountains. The river can also be seen from a canoe or kayak, which are available for hire, as are mountain bikes (each just over $50 per day). Boat tickets and rentals are available at the Le Draveur Visitor Center at the park entrance.

Many people make it a day trip from La Malbaie, but there are basic campsites available. Canoes can be used to reach the three riverside campgrounds. Bring all required supplies.

To reach the park from La Malbaie, head northwest on Rte 138 toward Baie St Paul, then take the turn for St-Aimé des Lacs and keep going for another 30km.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Maison du Bootlegger

21.34 MILES

This unexpected venue in a conventional-looking 19th-century farmhouse was surreptitiously modified by an American bootlegger during the Prohibition…

2. Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay

22 MILES

This park protects a wide swath of land along the banks of the Saguenay Fjord; the water itself is within Parc Marin du Saguenay–St-Laurent. The park is…

3. Les Jardins du Cap à l'Aigle

26 MILES

In Cap à l'Aigle, a little village 2km east of La Malbaie, are these gardens, where 800 types of lilac range up the hill between a waterfall, a footbridge…

4. Musée de Charlevoix

26.65 MILES

One of the most charming provincial museums in Québec, this waterfront gallery portrays the life and times of Charlevoix through a variety of media: from…

6. Emu Charlevoix

26.98 MILES

You might think you'd have to travel to Australia to spot emus, but this farm raises the tall flightless birds here in Charlevoix, partly for their meat,…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "canada/la-malbaie/attractions/parc-national-des-hautes-gorges-de-la-riviere-malbaie/a/poi-sig/1363000/1315557",
      "position": "superzone"
    }