The best 10-day itinerary in Canada
Want to take a road trip in Canada but you're not sure where to go? There are so many wonderful places to discover that it's not always easy to decide.
To help you out and give you some ideas, this article describes the best 10-day itinerary in Canada, according to me. Focusing on Quebec, this road trip combining city and nature is a sure value. Let's go!
Map of the 10-day Canada road trip
Summary of the best 10-day itinerary in Canada
Day 1 : Montreal
Welcome to the second-largest city in Canada after Toronto, but also the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris. This is where your Canadian tour begins. Make the most of your first day by taking the time to get your bearings after dropping your luggage off at the hotel.
Nothing is better for getting over jet lag than exploring the beautiful city of Montreal on foot. Begin in Old Montreal, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. This historic and charming district is sure to seduce you with its Old Port, art galleries, restaurants, cafés and museums.
Visiting Montreal also means discovering the downtown area and its skyscrapers. For some shopping, make your way to Sainte-Catherine Street and explore the underground city. This city within a city is made up of a 33-kilometre underground pedestrian network underneath the downtown core. And don't miss the magnificent Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral and the city's excellent fine art museum, the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal.
Next, head to the Plateau Mont-Royal. This lively, friendly neighbourhood is the perfect place to stroll among bookshops, independent boutiques and excellent bakeries. You can enjoy a lovely walk on Mount Royal and in Lafontaine Park. And if you're feeling peckish and wondering where to eat in Montreal, take a break at La Banquise. This restaurant serves the famous poutine and is a real institution here.
For your night out in Montreal, head back downtown to enjoy the lively bars and vibrant nightlife. After all that, you should have a good idea of the diversity and cultural richness Montreal has to offer!
Day 2 : Mauricie (181 km)
It's time to leave Montreal and set out to discover the great and incredible outdoors. After picking up your rental car, set a course for the Mauricie region. With its landscapes of forests, mountains, rivers and lakes, La Mauricie offers visitors truly postcard-worthy scenery.
During your Quebec road trip, you simply must make a stop in La Mauricie National Park. If at all possible, I highly recommend visiting it in the fall. You will quickly understand why this park is considered to have some of the most beautiful landscapes in Quebec. The park offers many activities such as camping, hiking, biking, and even swimming or canoeing.
For spectacular views, take an excursion to Waber Falls, paddle on Lac Edouard, and take the Scenic Parkway (Route Promenade), stopping at:
- The Le Passage lookout
- The Île-aux-Pins lookout
- Lac Édouard beach
If you have the time and your budget allows it, I highly recommend a scenic seaplane tour of La Mauricie. The immensity of this vast wilderness is even more impressive from the air.
Calculate the price of your Quebec car rental
Days 3-4 : Jacques-Cartier National Park (201 km)
Your 10-day Quebec tour continues with a visit to Jacques-Cartier park, a magnificent national park north of Quebec City. While it's definitely one of the best parks for viewing spectacular fall colours, this park is open year-round and will dazzle you in every season.
Nature lovers come here in summer to hike, canoe and mountain bike in the forest or along the river. With 100 kilometres of hiking trails and a river renowned for unforgettable canoe runs just 30 minutes from Old Quebec, it would be a shame to miss it! The park rangers are always happy to help you learn about the local flora and fauna.
In winter, the park is ideal for snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, fatbike riding or even snow scooter rides.
If you'd like to discover Jacques-Cartier National Park on foot, here are some ideas of hikes you should enjoy.
Sentier des Cascades Trail
Distance (round-trip): 4-km loop
Time (round-trip): 1:30
Level: Easy
Elevation gain: 156 m
The Sentier des Cascades trail is a short, easy, enjoyable walk that is great for children. Follow the course of the stream and take footbridges over waterfalls. The trail is well maintained and doesn't require any particular equipment or fitness level.
Sentier les Loups Trail
Distance (round-trip): 11 km
Time (round-trip): 3:30
Level: Difficult
Elevation gain: 447 m
This more challenging trail is suitable for experienced hikers. But nothing is impossible! There is some elevation gain, but the steep section is quite short. The 11-kilometre hike leads to spectacular panoramic views of the entire Jacques-Cartier river valley. Accessible from mid-May to mid-October.
Water sports enthusiasts will love canoeing down the Jacques-Cartier River. In fact, it's one of the park's signature activities. The Jacques-Cartier River offers over 26 km of navigable waters for hours of enjoyment.
Families with children will prefer calm water canoeing, while thrill-seekers may prefer to tackle the rapids.
The park offers a variety of watercraft for rent: kayaks, mini-rafts, classic canoes, inflatable canoes and inner tubes.
Days 5-6 : Saguenay Fjord (258 km)
After Jacques-Cartier park, the Saguenay Fjord awaits. In this glacial valley through which the Saguenay River flows, spectacular views are everywhere. A two-day stay will allow you to really take in its vertiginous cliffs and wild shores.
Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park offers a wide range of outdoors activities such as hiking, sailing on the Saguenay Fjord, scenic riverboat cruises, and sea kayaking on the fjord.
The park is made up of two main sectors: Baie-Éternité (south shore of the fjord) and Baie-Sainte-Marguerite (north shore of the fjord).
When it comes to hiking, I particularly recommend the following:
Sentier de la Statue Trail
Distance (round-trip): 7.6 km
Time (round-trip): 3-4 hrs
Level: Intermediate to difficult
Elevation gain: 472 m
While some effort is required to reach the top, this very popular hike will not disappoint. The view of Baie-Éternité and the Saguenay Fjord is simply breathtaking, as is the climb to get there!
Sentier des Méandres-à-Falaises Trail
Distance (round-trip): 1.6 km (loop)
Time (round-trip): 45 to 60 min
Elevation gain: 30 metres
Level: Easy
Perfect for families with children and beginner hikers, the Sentier des Méandres-à-Falaises Trail is an easy and enjoyable walk. The trail begins at the Le Fjord du Saguenay Discovery and Visitors Centre. You will learn interesting facts from the interpretative signs, see traces of beavers, and discover a fascinating unique natural environment.
If you're not afraid of heights, spend a few hours doing a via ferrata circuit. Halfway between climbing and hiking, this adventurous activity promises incredible views.
After all this excitement, take a well-deserved break in Sainte-Rose-du-Nord. This tiny municipality surrounded by mountains and capes is one of the most beautiful villages in Quebec. You're sure to enjoy this picturesque spot.
Before leaving the Saguenay Fjord behind, make a stop in Tadoussac. This pretty town is listed as one of the 50 most beautiful bays in the world in addition to being the oldest village in Canada. Tadoussac is also an excellent spot to take a whale-watching boat cruise. The best time to see the whales is from mid-May to mid-October. They are at their most numerous and most active in September.
Day 7 : Charlevoix (179 km)
Next, your 10-day Canadian tour takes you to the Charlevoix region! With its maritime and mountain landscapes, Charlevoix is full of surprises. Its steep cliffs, grandiose parks and pretty mountainside villages will make you want to take hundreds of photos. You'll bring home beautiful memories of your trip to Quebec.
If you're wondering what to do in Charlevoix, then Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park should be your first stop. The distinctive course of the Malbaie River, the valleys and the surrounding high rock faces give this park an enchanting feel.
If you are in good physical shape, try the Acropole des Draveurs Trail, one of the best hikes in Charlevoix.
L’Acropole des Draveurs Trail
Distance (round-trip): 10.4 km
Time (round-trip): 5 hrs
Level: Difficult
Elevation gain: 800 m
This famous Quebec hiking trail is quite demanding because it climbs steeply over a relatively short distance. But trust me, your efforts will be well rewarded once you reach the top!
Continue your visit of Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park with an Hautes-Gorges discovery cruise on board a riverboat. The captain and the park warden/naturalist will share fascinating information about the local flora and fauna. Don't forget your camera - you're going to need it! If you choose to take the dusk cruise, you can expect to see lots of wildlife.
The Charlevoix coast will be a highlight of your time in the Charlevoix. As you travel down Route 138 from Tadoussac to Quebec City, be sure to take the scenic route that winds along the St. Lawrence River from la Malbaie to Baie-Saint-Paul. Known as the St. Lawrence Route (Route du Fleuve), it is easily one of the most scenic routes in Quebec.
Don't leave Charlevoix without a visit to Baie-Saint-Paul. You're sure to be charmed by this lovely little town. As picturesque as it gets, Baie-Saint-Paul abounds in art galleries and craft boutiques.
Just off the Charlevoix coast is Île-aux-Coudres. This little 11 km by 5 km island has preserved its rural charm and serenity. The perfect way to explore it is by bike.
Days 8-9 : Quebec City (93 km)
After getting your fill of nature and the great outdoors, it's back to the city, and what a city it is! The cradle of French civilization in North America, Quebec City is a human-sized city on the banks of the St. Lawrence.
The best way to discover it is on foot. Take a stroll along lively Petit-Champlain street. Explore its many boutiques and art galleries and then take a break at one of its restaurants to rechange your batteries. You can also take a private walking tour of Old Quebec to discover all the secrets of Quebec City.
Continue your walk to Place Royale and stop in front of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church. Next to the church is the Musée de la civilisation, an excellent place to learn more about the First Nations, current civilizations and Quebec history. If you only have time to visit one museum in Quebec City, this one is a sure bet.
An original way to get some great photos of Quebec City is to take the Quebec-Lévis ferry. As you cross the river, you'll have one of the best views of the city.
Now leave the Lower Town (Basse-Ville) for the Upper Town (Haute-Ville). Look up to see the impressive Château Frontenac rising above you. Terrasse Dufferin, an iconic Old Quebec photo spot, is the perfect place from which to admire this marvel of Canadian architecture.
The Quebec Citadel and Promenade des Gouverneurs are also worth a visit.
Before setting off on new adventures, take an unguided or guided tour of the Quebec Parliament Building. The nearby Plains of Abraham Park is the perfect spot for a picnic.
Before leaving Quebec City, don't hesitate to go to the top of the Observatoire de la Capitale to admire the panoramic view of Quebec City and its suburbs, or drive the few kilometres to see the majestic Montmorency Falls.
Day 10 : Montreal (248 km)
Your 10-day Canadian tour ends in Montreal. If you have time, stretch your legs and explore some of Montreal's other neighbourhoods before embarking on your long flight home.
For example, you could go for a stroll in Little Italy, home of the famous Jean-Talon Market. Pick up some fresh local treats and enjoy a picnic in nearby Jarry Park.
The creative, hipster Mile-End district, the industrial heritage of the Lachine Canal, and Verdun on the banks of the St. Lawrence are also worth the detour.
$885 / adult
The best 10-day road trip itinerary in Canada ends here. Time to leave Canada filled with memories and perhaps the desire to come back... for a Western Canada road trip, for example!
If you have any recommendations to share, or questions to ask, feel free to use the comments section below. It will be my pleasure to hear from you!
An enthusiast of both our vibrant cities & great oudoors, my life revolves around travel & adventure. It's a no brainer that I have to share the wonders & secrets of my neck of the woods with other travelling souls. Enjoy the journey!
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