The trail continues along a forest path (10.5 km), then passes through the picturesque village of Grands-Fonds, before a long descent into the Malbaie River valley, offering sweeping views. A varied and enjoyable route.
Refuge l’Épervier, Sentier l’Orignac, La Traversée de Charlevoix,
Chemin Grand Fonds N, La Malbaie (Quebec) G5A 3G6
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353 Saint-Étienne Street, La Malbaie, Quebec G5A 1T8
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Distance
29 KM
Route duration
DAY 1
Difficulty level
MEDIUM
Elevation gain
230 M, MAINLY DOWNHILL
Plan for today's drive
Planning for the Road Ahead
Samuel de Champlain named the bay “ La Malle Baye” in 1608 because of the shoals that made it difficult for boats to approach the shore. The first settlers arrived inthe 18th century to fish, hunt, and farm. A century later, the adaptation of the seigneuries inherited from New France in Charlevoix to the British system strengthened the economy and shaped a dynamic community. Tourism developed rapidly starting in themid-19th century, thanks to the region’s scenic beauty and mild climate. The opening of the Manoir Richelieu in 1899 cemented the region’s reputation as a vacation destination, and the arrival of a casino in June 1994 added another tourist attraction.
The municipality was established in 1896 but was not officially designated a city until 1958.
Today, it has a population of no fewer than 9,000, following the merger of villages such as Rivière-Malbaie, Pointe-au-Pic, Sainte-Agnès, Cap-à-l’Aigle, and Saint-Fidèle, with the city serving as the central municipality.