Jacques Cartier National Park July 9-10th

We had planned to visit Quebec City and walk the old streets on our way to Jacques Cartier National Park from Montreal but with the heavy rain we decided to go directly to the park. We did detour and went the more scenic route 138 the historic Chemin du Roy (King’s Way). Built in 1731 this is Canada’s oldest highway with many beautiful old villages along the St Lawrence.

Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier is only 30 minutes by road from Quebec City and is home to some of Quebec’s most beautiful glacial valleys.  This park offers many opportunities for canoe/kayak rentals and 100 km of mountain bike and hiking trails.

On arrival Saturday afternoon it was overcast with a light rain but the view of the valley in the Laurentian’s was still amazing. The rain and clouds moved down the valley and the smell of the sap from the forest trees was so strong.

I went out and enjoyed a few of the mountain bike trails ranging in level from easy to very difficult. These trails were along and over the spectacular Jacques-Cartier River.

Les cascades

Another river crossing

We enjoyed an early campfire that evening. It was a nice site in the Les Alluvions section with lots of privacy and close to the river, trails and services. 

Boys chilling 

On Sunday it was still overcast with light rain but we decided to do the bike trails instead of the raft/canoe rental due to the weather. We did watch a one group come down the river. Looks like it would have been great on a nice day.

Yes that button Mom 

Monday morning was bright and sunny so Josh and I did a 14 km ride along the Jacques-Cartier River before heading out to Saguenay Fjord National Park.  

Stopped for a break to watch a fly fishermen trying his luck for salmon