GET OUTDOORS
Plan your outdoors vacation in La Matapédia!
La Matapédia is a perfect playground for any lover of the great outdoors.
Regional parks
Parc régional du Lac-Matapédia
📍 Amqui- Sayabec
One hundred and seventy kilometres of wilderness, the Parc regional du Lac-Matapédia park is the ideal place to explore the woods or simply take in the impressive Lac Matapédia. The park is accessible for free at all times, simply come and go as you please. There are several hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult, so you can find something for everyone, from family-friendly to challenging. In fact, if you’re up to the challenge, a section of the International Appalachian Trail cuts through the park.
🥾 Experiences :
- Hiking trails
- Lookout platforms
- Educational panels about nature and archaeology
- Access to the shores of Lac Matapédia
- Water sports (canoe, kayak, paddleboard) Camp Sable Chaud Rentals ($)
- Camp Sable Chaud summer camp ($)
- Cross-country skiing ($)
- Dog sledding ($)
🛎️ Services:
- Parking
- Dry/eco-friendly toilets
- Picnic areas
- Gazebos
Les Trois Sœurs trail | 📸 Isabelle Caissy Photography
📍 Sainte-Irène
In the summer, push your body to climb Val-d’Irène’s 274 metres of mountain on foot or bike. The park is open at all times in the summer months. A cross-country and downhill biking trail map is displayed at the foot of the mountain, and you must register at the self-service ticket machine. Cross-country trails are designed for beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, whereas the downhill trails are for experienced bikers, ranging from difficult to advanced. Picture “old school” trails covered in rocks and roots … well, that’s Val-d’Irène!
🥾Experiences:
- Mountain biking trails ($)
- Hiking trails
- Ski hill ($)
🛎️ Services
- Self-service ticket machine
- Parking
La Panachée Trail | 📸 Maxime Amyot Photography
Coopérative de Plein Air de La Matapédia
📍 Saint-Alexandre-des-Lacs
Explore the one and only Via Ferrata on this side of the St. Lawrence at the incredible Chute à Philomène. The adventurous rock wall climbing route is open to anyone over the age of 10. You don’t need to be an expert rock climber or outdoor athlete to have a go, you’ll be harnessed in with all the right gear, and with professionals right beside you, guiding you along the way.
🥾 Experiences:
- Via Ferrata ($)
- Zipline ($)
- Nature observation
- Suspended platform
🛎️ Services:
- Via Ferrata information and ticket office
- Via Ferrata store
- Parking
- Drinking water
- Public dry toilets
- Via Ferrata toilets
- Camion restaurant ($)
Chute à Philomène Via Ferrata | 📸 Maxime Amyot Photography
Water Sports
La Matapédia is a great place for water sports enthusiasts. From traditional vacation activities, like pedal boats (which are available in many of our campgrounds) to canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding, there really is something for everyone. Below you’ll find some of the local companies that provide water sports activities.
📍 Lac-au-Saumon
Located in the centre of Lac-au-Saumon in centenary park, the Le Saumonais water sports centre is the ideal place to enjoy the still waters of Lac au Saumon.
🥾 Experiences:
- Canoes ($)
- Single and double kayaks ($)
- Paddleboards ($)
- Paddle boats ($)
- Playgrounds
- Picnic areas
- Bike path
🛎️ Services:
- Information
- Rentals ($)
- Campground ($)
- Parking
Paddleboarding on Lac au Saumon | 📸 Zone Blanche Photography
📍 Amqui
You’re in for a big surprise as something new is coming to Amqui … surfing! But how exactly can you surf on a lake? With an e-surf board, that’s how! Discover this new, exciting activity with an instructor and explore La Matapédia’s lakes in a new way.
🥾 Experiences:
- E-surf lessons ($)
🛎️ Services:
- Instructor
- Equipment
- Surf board
E-surf board | 📸 Open source
Exploring La Matapédia on Foot
Défiez la Vallée — Directory of Walking and Hiking Trails
📍 MRC de La Matapédia
COSMOSS La Matapédia and partners have worked together to collate all the walking and hiking trails in the MRC de La Matapédia in one handy resource. You’ll find a map, information on the length of trails, start points and other relevant information.
🥾 Experiences:
- Walking trails
- Hiking trails
🛎️ Services:
- Parking
Lac Caché Trail | 📸 Maxime Amyot Photography