ROUTE DESCRIPTION

A trail that takes your breath away: from the very first steps, the climb begins and gradually takes you higher above the river, offering ever-changing views of the landscape.

Then, the trail levels off onto a nearly flat secondary road, where a quiet rest stop—marked by a small parking lot and a picnic table—signals the start of the Sentiers de Charlevoix. Finally, a moderately steep descent leads back down to the river, before crossing the charming village—nestled between the mountains and the water—from the hamlet of Maillard to the Coop L’Affluent.

Itinerary

OPTION 1:
Athletes’ route: From Baie-Saint-Paul to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré via Petite-Rivière-Saint-François

Day 1

From the church in Baie-Saint-Paul, across from the bridge over the Du Gouffre River (Leclerc Street), take Ambroise-Fafard Street past the intersection with De la Lumière Street; (1.3 km)
At the intersection with Chemin du Relais, Rue Ambroise-Fafard becomes Rue du Bas-de-la-baie and continues to Chemin de la Pointe. (0.2 km)
Turn left onto Chemin de la Pointe until you see the sign for the Sentier de la Baie (2.6 km—across from house number 249). Follow this trail uphill to Rang Saint-Antoine Sud. (6.33 km)
Turn right onto Rang Saint-Antoine Sud, and continue to the first intersection on the left. Turn left onto Côte du Quêteux. Continue straight ahead at the junction and head up Chemin du Belvédère. (about 2 km)
When the Belvédère trail loops around the tourist information kiosk, turn right and head up to Route QC-138. Note: A short detour to the tourist information kiosk allows you to use the RESTROOMS.
Walk briefly to the left on Route 138 until you pass the truck checkpoint. (1.4 km) Turn left onto Rang La Martine, following the signs (black arrows on yellow diamonds), and continue down to the main road. (6 km)

Petite-Rivière-Saint-François

Turn left, follow the main road, and pass through the hamlet of Maillard in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. (2 km)
Walk past Saint-François Church. (4 km)
Then walk past the post office (0.5 km) and stop at the village grocery store. (0.5 km)
Arrive at Coop L’Affluent, 1300 Principale Street. (0.5 km)

Days 2, 3, and 4

Toward Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

Getting up and leaving early in the morning
The trail starts at the Coop property, and hikers follow the L’Ancestrale private trail upstream along the Saint-François River, which runs to the east, until they reach the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix. Turn left—not right—at the first junction with the Gabrielle-Roy West Trail, and also at the junction with the Bloc Erratique Trail. (1.5 km)
Turn left onto the Gabrielle-Roy West Trail. (0.5 km)
Then follow the markers on the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix trail to each of the shelters:

1. Liguori (7.4 km), L’Abbatis (7.2 km), Cap du Salut (6.9 km), Anse aux vaches (6 km),
2. Cap Gribane (7.7 km), La Faille (6.4 km)
3. Cap Tourmente and Wildlife Reserve (restrooms). (7.4 km)

Finally, you’ll reach Route Royale, which leads to the right toward Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. (12 km)

See Option 2

Practical Tips

Plan for today's drive

Water, snack
Lunch

Planning for the Road Ahead

If you haven’t already done so, CALL the Charlevoix Caps office (1-866-823-1117) to:
- Register ($) to use the trails for three (3) days of hiking, including access to the Cap Tourmente Wildlife Reserve ($);
- Book or confirm the Anse-aux-vaches and La Faille mountain huts for the next two nights ($).
You can buy groceries for dinner, tomorrow’s breakfast, and the three days in the mountains.

Reservations must be made in advance

Route 1: For Athletes

HIKERS taking the Sentiers des Caps trail (4 days) must first travel to Petite-Rivière-Saint-François on Day 1, which will serve as their base for climbing the Caps on the following days. (30 km)

CALL Coop L’Affluent (Tel. 418-632-5653), the only lodging option in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, to book a room ($).

CALL the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix office (1-866-823-1117)

Register ($) to use the trails for three (3) days of hiking, including access to the Cap-Tourmente National Wildlife Area ($);
Reserve the Anse-aux-vaches and La Faille mountain huts for the next two nights ($).

Masses at St. Anne's Basilica

Sunday: 8:00 a.m. / 9:30 a.m. / 11:00 a.m. / 4:30 p.m.
Monday–Friday: 6:30 a.m. (Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament – crypt) / 11:30 a.m.
Saturday: 6:30 a.m. (Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament – crypt) / 11:30 a.m. / 4:00 p.m.
Summer: 7:00 p.m., followed by a torchlight procession

Check the schedule on the Sanctuary’s website.

All schedules

Points of View

Descent from the Main Road toward Maillard

On a clear day, this hamlet stands out beautifully against the waters of the St. Lawrence River—seen from above—with its houses and trees.

Throughout the walk along the St. Lawrence River, you’ll pass between the mountains and the sea on a road dotted with houses of various styles.

A short, optional detour from Main Street to the wharf. It’s almost like being right there, so close to the St. Lawrence River at its estuary. The view stretches far and wide, from Île-aux-Coudres in the east to Île-aux-Oies in the west, not to mention the various mountains that plunge into the river.

At the cross at the edge of Principale Street, halfway up the hill near the Coop L’Affluent, you can pull over and, turning around, enjoy a breathtaking view to the east of the widening St. Lawrence Estuary.

Restaurants / Food

Village Grocery Store in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François

1133 Principale Street
, Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, Quebec G0A 2L0
Tel. (418) 632-0606

Open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays)

The only grocery store in the area, located 1.5 km from the lodging.

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Monastery

Meals are available at the monastery on weekdays (by arrangement with the Father in charge of hospitality).

Picnic tables are available on the grounds of the Basilica.

IGA (supermarket)

10505 Sainte-Anne Boulevard
, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0
Tel. (418) 827-2828

www.iga.net

Super C, Shopping Center

101 Sainte-Anne Boulevard, #10516
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0
Tel. (418) 827-3474

The Marie-Beaupré

110-9749 Sainte-Anne Boulevard
, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0
Tel. (418) 827-3446 (closes at 9 p.m.)

www.mariebeaupre.com

The Montagnais

9450 Sainte-Anne Boulevard
, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0
Tel. (418) 827-3681 (closes at 9 p.m.)

www.restaurantmontagnais.com

Saint-Hubert Express

9752 Sainte-Anne Boulevard
, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0
Tel. (418) 827-1234

Subway

9731 Sainte-Anne Boulevard
, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0
Tel. (418) 827-3299 (closes at 10 p.m.)

A & W

9675 Sainte-Anne Boulevard
, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0
Tel. (418) 702-1811 (closes at 10 p.m.)

McDonald’s

9781 Sainte-Anne Boulevard
, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0
Tel. (418) 827-8312

Dine-in or takeout – Delivery. Closes at 10 p.m.

Salvatoré Pizza

9272 Sainte-Anne Boulevard
, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0
Tel. (418) 746-2222

Accommodations

L’Affluent Solidarity Cooperative

1300 Principale Street  
Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, Quebec G0A 2L0
Tel. (418) 632-5653

Sign up at the Coop counter; they will tell you where you’ll be staying for the night.

Cost: local rate.

Email: info@laffluent.com

Anse-aux-Vaches and La Faille Shelters

Phone (866) 823-1117

Redemptorist Fathers’ Monastery Inn

Basilica of Saint Anne of Beaupré
10018 Royale Avenue
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0
Tel. (418) 827-3781 (hotel manager: (418) 808-6870)

A welcome under the church steeples.

Amenities: private rooms, shared restrooms and showers
Please make a reservation for meals at the Monastery—except on Saturdays and Sundays
Overnight stay and meals: DON (donation in cash or by check)

Hotels and Motels

By quantity (at tourist rates)

Things to Do in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

HERITAGE AND CULTURE

St. Anne’s Basilica

Visit the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, its three chapels in the basement (except during services), and take a stroll through its gardens.

The Father in charge of hospitality is pleased to offer guests of the Monastery a guided tour of the Basilica.

SPIRITUALITY

Celebrations and Processions

The schedule of services (in several languages) is posted at the entrance to the shrine. During the novena and through the Feast of St. Anne (July 17–26) and the Feast of the Assumption (August 15), torchlight processions are held every evening.

An adoration chapel is available in the basement for quiet reflection.

NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS

A Stroll Along the Waterfront

You can walk to the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré pier, which is a 15-minute walk (1 km) from the Basilica, and enjoy the view of the St. Lawrence River and the tip of Île d’Orléans.

LEISURE AND RELAXATION

Tourist and Religious Shops

On the shrine grounds, you’ll find the shrine shop, which carries a wide variety of religious items and books, and in the surrounding streets, there are a few tourist shops.

A Brief History of the Stopover Town

Saint Joachim of Montmorency

Shortly after the founding of Quebec in 1608, Samuel de Champlain, as a geographer, recognized the quality and importance of the land at the foot of Cap Tourmente for agriculture and decided to turn it into a breadbasket for the nascent colony of Quebec; he began settling families there as early as 1626. Thirty-five years later, Bishop François de Laval opened a school of arts and crafts there. Thus, a village took shape with the establishment of a parish in 1721. The battle against the British army in 1759 resulted in the confirmed deaths of seven residents and the burning of the church and neighboring buildings. Everything was rebuilt two kilometers west of the original village. Snow goose hunting is part of the area’s reputation.

Learn more about Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (Option 3)

Next Stop: Departure from Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

VIEW DETAILS

Departure Baie-Saint-Paul

Option 1 via Petite-Rivière-Saint-François 30 + 63 km