TOP 10 most beautiful fall landscapes in Quebec

Fall is my favorite season.

The landscapes of Quebec are changing day after day, letting yellow, red and orange take over the soft green foliage. The sun is shining, but you can feel the cold in the crisp air: warming oneself by the fireside after an autumn outing is unlike any other feeling.

When you visit Quebec, you know that lush forest is never far away. Which is all the more enjoyable when the fall colours are around.

Here are 10 places that I particularly like to visit during the autumn months.
 

#1- Port-au-Persil

Localisation : Charlevoix

Here's one that would make the list for the most beautiful villages in Quebec : Port-au-Persil is a peaceful hamlet that is worth seeing when the province starts changing colours.

Located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, between La Malbaie and Baie Sainte-Marguerite, it is an ideal stopover for a picnic or a bucolic break.

Take the opportunity to stretch your legs by strolling along the dock, then head to the white wood chapel, the true symbol of Port-au-Persil.

Here, everything is calm. Let yourself be lulled by the murmur of the fall and the song of the birds. Sit on the rocks and simply gaze at the horizon: you may be fortunate enough to spot whales and seals from the shore.

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#2- Vallée Bras-du-Nord

Localisation : Portneuf

Vallée Bras-du-Nord, located an hour and 15 minutes west of Quebec City, is an outdoorsy destination that is one of Quebecers' favorite secret places.

You can go hiking, canyoning, mountain biking, canoeing or kayaking when weather permits it. Winter sports enthusiasts, for their part, enjoy exploring the territory on a fatbike, ski or snowshoe.

To admire the fall colours, go to one of the many hiking trails: you have a wide variety of choices, with different lengths and levels of difficulty.

Or, for a change, I suggest you discover the colorful landscapes from the rock wall where the via ferrata is installed. Beginner level, this activity will delight the whole family and give you an unforgettable experience.

#3- Mont-Orford National Park

Localisation : Cantons-de-l’Est

A classic, if not THE classic of Indian summer in Canada.

Located in the Eastern Townships region, whose reputation is well established as the colours are blazing in the fall, the Mont-Orford Park is a destination of choice to be amazed.

Hiking is, in my opinion, the best way to discover the park and access many of the most spectacular viewpoints in the region.

Take the Mont-Chauve trail, a 10.6 km loop, and reach the summit, which rises to nearly 600 meters.

For a shorter walk, go to the Étang-Fer-de-Lance trail: a 3.5 km loop that winds through a maple grove leading to a beautiful viewpoint over Mount Orford and the Fer-de-Lance pond.

If the weather allows it, take a boat and sail on Lake Stukely or the Cherry Pond, and admire the spectacular landscapes that serenely surrounds you.

#4- Jacques-Cartier National Park

Localisation : National Capital (Quebec)

The Jacques-Cartier Park is ideally located less than 30 minutes away from Quebec City and is one of the National Parks you should discover in Quebec.

It is also a must stop if during your road trip in Quebec if you are driving down the 175 towards Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

The park is home to one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Quebec and offers a striking contrast in the fall since the territory is covered with deciduous and coniferous trees, the latter remaining green.

In the hollow of this deep valley, a river flows in sections of rapids and calm waters, which delight both novices and whitewater enthusiasts.

To admire the colours of Indian summer with a little height, you will have a wide choice of trails, and they are some of the most beautiful hikes in Quebec.

The Wolf trail and the Éperon trail in particular will leave you speechless facing the breathtaking and colourful view you will have of the Jacques-Cartier valley.

The Cascades trail is perfectly suited for a family hike.

#5- Mauricie National Park

Localisation : Mauricie

Mauricie is a must-see on any road trip in Quebec.

And one of the best places to visit in the region is La Mauricie Park.

I suggest you discover the park by taking the scenic Promenade road that runs along Lake Wapizagonke for nearly 16 kilometers.

Go to the Passage or the Île-aux-Pins lookouts to enjoy a magnificent view of the lake and the surrounding forests.

For hiking, I suggest the Cascades, Falaises and Lac-Solitaire trails.

Canoe enthusiasts will love the Waber Falls excursion. It will require some effort, but it doesn't get any better!

#6- Mount Pinacle

Localisation : Eastern Townships

Mount Pinnacle is located in the Harold F Baldwin Park in Coaticook, in the Eastern Townships, not far from the American border.

The mountain rises to an altitude of 665 meters and overlooks Lake Lyster and Little Lake Baldwin. When the sky is clear, you can see other mountains in the region such as Mount Orford, Mount Sutton and Monut Owl’s Head, which are also great options for a fall hike.

To reach the summit, you have to take one of the park's trails, ranging from easy to difficult. By combining them you can make a nice 5.5 km loop.

This is a great hike for the whole family: if you are looking to introduce your little ones to hiking, don't miss it.

#7- Fjord-du-Saguenay

Localisation : Saguenay

Those who have read me for a while know how much I hold the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region in my heart.

The Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park is one of my favorite spots all year round, but when the fall foliage hits... Wow!

To appreciate all the colours of the Indian summer, the activities are endless: hiking for those who like to have their feet on the ground, the Via Ferrata for those who aren't afraid of heights, sailing, sea kayaking or even a zodiac outing!

If I have to recommend two hikes it would be the Statue trail and the Caps trail to the Giant's viewpoint. Allow 7.6 km round trip for the first and 10.2 km for the second.

A park to discover in Quebec, without any hesitation.

#8- Forillon National Park

Localisation : Gaspésie

Head to the Gaspé Peninsula to see the fall colours that contrast wonderfully with the blue of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Gaspé Bay.

Venturing into Forillon Park is a bit like reaching the tip of the end of the world, there is also this famous sign announcing it, at the end of the Graves trail.

But if I had to recommend only one hike to appreciate all the beauty of fall in this magnificent region of Quebec, it would undoubtedly be the Mont-Saint-Alban trail.

Whether you are leaving from the North sector (Cap-Bon-Ami) or the South sector (Petit-Gaspé beach), you will have the choice between hiking a loop or a round trip. In any case, you will climb to the top of the Observation Tower where a breathtaking and a very colourful panorama await you.

A road trip in Gaspésie is something you must do at least once in your life, and you will quickly understand why.

#9- Mont-Sourire

Localisation : Lanaudière

Mont-Sourire is a summit located in Saint-Donat, in the Lanaudière region.

From its 490 m altitude, it offers a magnificent view of Lake Ouareau as well as the Ouareau, Kaaïkop and Montagne Noire mountains.

Very easy to access, it certainly offers one of the best effort to view ratios in the province. It is also very popular with families.

If you feel like it, when you reach the top, you can continue on the path "Le Petit Carcan" which goes around Lake Carcan and offers other beautiful views.

#10- Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie Park

Localisation : Charlevoix

As you will have understood, you have to take advantage of autumn in Quebec (which goes by far too quickly) to walk in nature, breathe deeply and recharge your batteries before the cold season.

The Hautes-Gorges-de-la Rivière-Malbaie Park is the perfect place for a colourful return to basics.

Serenely admire the valley of the Malbaie River on a riverboat cruise, or walk one of its many hiking trails.

The most popular, the Acropole des Draveurs, is also one of the most difficult trails in Quebec.

But honestly, if you are in good shape, do not hesitate for a single second because up there, the view is breathtaking. Just a word of advice: bring hiking sticks!

Locate the most beautiful fall landscapes of Quebec

And there you have it !

I stopped at 10 but in reality, the superb fall landscapes in Quebec are almost as numerous as the maple trees in the province. 

Now it's up to you to share with us your most beautiful landscapes in Quebec during the Indian summer in the comments box below.