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Departure
Petit-Saguenay

Option 1 to Les Palissades
52.2 km

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

A fairly busy road with lots of traffic, farms, cottages, and wooded areas.

Start

50 Tremblay Street, Petit-Saguenay, Quebec G0V 1N0
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Finish

1000 Route 170, Saint-Siméon, Quebec G0T 1X0
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Distance

52.2 KM

Route duration

DAY 1

Difficulty level


E OF THE ROUTE

Elevation gain

90 M

Itinerary

OPTION 1:
From Petit-Saguenay to Les Palissades

From Petit-Saguenay to Saint-Isidore Church in Sagard, Lac Deschênes (24 km)

  • Turn left onto Route 170 South (toward Saint-Siméon de Charlevoix), and see if a taxi or other form of transportation would help reduce the number of kilometers you have to walk (24 km).

From Saint-Isidore Church to Les Palissades de Charlevoix (28.2 km)

  • Turn right back onto the road; the entrance to the public beach at Lac Deschênes (restrooms) is on the left. (19 km)
  • Continue on Route 170 to the left. Pass the entrance to the Club Bataram outfitter. (4.7 km)
  • Once you reach Les Palissades de Charlevoix, pull into the parking lot to access the Visitor Center . 1000 Route 170, Saint-Siméon, Quebec G0T 1X0, Tel. (418) 647-4422. (4.5 km)

SEE OPTION 2

Practical Tips

Plan for today's drive

  • Water, snacks
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Insect repellent in a generous amount

Planning for the Road Ahead

  • Bring your own food (4 meals: 2 lunches + dinner and supper—mostly dry food) to Les Palissades.
  • Be sure to pack enough food (5 meals of dry rations) for the Charlevoix Crossing route via the Bataram Outfitter and the L’Épervier Shelter. If you plan to take this forest road, spend the night at the L’Épervier Shelter on your way to La Malbaie.
  • Insect repellent in a generous amount

Other practical tips for the day

  • It would be a good idea to check with the staff at the Coop grocery store, church officials, or even the municipality (35 Rue du Quai, Tel. (418) 272-2323) to see if there is a taxi service or someone available to drive the walkers to Saint-Isidore Church in Sagard, thereby saving 24 km of the 52.2 km route.

Points of View

Mountains and Dairy Herds (Mini-Switzerland)

About 5 km outside Petit-Saguenay, it’s worth stopping to look back and take in the view of the towering mountains behind you, which are reminiscent of Switzerland. The sight of two or three dairy herds in the area reinforces this impression.

Occasional Glimpses of Lake Deschênes

Through the trees and vacation homes, you can see a lake whose length is impressive, with the forest bordering it on the east side.

A fabulous view on the climb up the Palissades

The elevation, which overlooks the region, highlights the Noire River, which winds its way through the surrounding mountains like a vast swamp and is difficult to cross.

Restaurants / Food

Palissades de Charlevoix

No food service, no restaurant.

Accommodations

Charlevoix Palisades

1000 Route 170
Saint-Siméon, Quebec G0T 1X0
Tel. (418) 647-4422

Book a few weeks or even a few months in advance to ensure bed availability. Dormitory (minimum 2-night stay required).

A minimum 2-night stay is required, as the dormitory is reserved for guests who spend at least one day hiking or climbing on the various rock faces.

 

Things to Do in Les Palissades de Charlevoix

NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS

Palissades Trails

A mountain park in Charlevoix with towering cliffs that attract hikers and rock climbers, offering a variety of trails and recreational activities such as zip-lining.

NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS

Zip Line

An activity located at the foot of a mountain that takes participants from one point to another via a cable securely stretched between the two (2) ends of the course. The speed reached at certain points gives participants a sense of athletic excitement.

A Brief History of the Stopover Town

The Fences

The Palissades de Charlevoix site takes its name from the rocky cliffs that make up the area, which resemble a great protective wall. Just as conquerors of a city once devoted all their energy to seizing and controlling the walls in their quest for conquest, today hikers and climbers take on this challenging mountain adventure park with the same boldness. There are plenty of hiking trails to explore the area, as well as recreational activities, such as a zip line, for example.

 

Photos: Nunzio Guerrera on Unsplash

Next Step: Departure from Les Palissades (2 options)

VIEW DETAILS Option 1

VIEW DETAILS FOR OPTION 2