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Departure
Rivière-Éternité

Option 1
15.5 km + 18.5 km

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

In the heart of the boreal forest, this unforgettable , starting from Rivière-Éternité, reveals magnificent panoramic views of the mountains and rivers, while offering the opportunity for enriching encounters.

Start

410 Principale Street, Rivière-Éternité, Quebec G0V 1P0
View on Google Maps

Finish

5 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street, L’Anse-Saint-Jean (Quebec) G0V 1J0
View on Google Maps

Distance

15.5 + 18.5 km

Route duration

1 OR 2 DAYS

Difficulty level

NONE

Elevation gain

N/A

Itinerary

OPTION 1:
Via discounted public transportation to Anse-Saint-Jean and/or Petit-Saguenay

  • This option allows you to bypass the 2- or 3-day stretch of challenging hiking trails in the Caps section of Saguenay Fjord National Park (Sépaq).
  • Departure in the morning for Anse-Saint-Jean and/or Petit-Saguenay. Check the schedule the day before by 3:00 p.m. LIMITED SEATS. For information and reservations: Tel. +1 (418) 540-4150.
  • You can stop for a day in Anse-Saint-Jean (see the “Viewpoints” and “Things to Do in Anse-Saint-Jean” boxes): it’s an 8-km walk from Route 170 to the heart of the village.
  • RENEW the agreement / transportation from Anse-Saint-Jean to Petit-Saguenay.
  • LODGING and GROCERY STORE on Route 170.

If you’re traveling directly from Rivière-Éternité to Petit-Saguenay

  • Or take an extra day for an outing: walk along the waterfront starting from the church—Rue Tremblay—4 km there and 4 km back—unforgettable scenery.
  • GROCERY STORE in the center of the village.
  • Either stock up on supplies and head straight out on Route 170 toward Sagard. Estimated arrival time: 4:00–5:30 p.m. It all depends on how often you stop to admire the majestic mountains.

See OPTION 2

Practical Tips

Plan for today's drive

  • Nothing in particular

Planning for the Road Ahead

  • Nothing in particular

Point of View

The Anse-Saint-Jean Marina

An 8-km round-trip hike (4 hours) starting from Route 170. See the bread ovens that bear witness to the past, then head to the marina pier. Between the fjord and the village, treat yourself to a swim in this magnificent and very popular setting.

Restaurants / Food

Bonichoix Market

160 QC-170
, L’Anse-Saint-Jean, Quebec G0V 1J0
Tel. (418) 272-2666

Richelieu Market

213 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street
, L’Anse-Saint-Jean, Quebec G0V 1J0
Tel. (418) 272-3080

The Craving

32 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street
L’Anse-Saint-Jean (Quebec) G0V 1J0

The restaurants are all in the center of the village, 8 km from Route 170—a 2-hour walk

East Anse-Ciel

150 QC-170
, L’Anse-Saint-Jean, Quebec G0V 1J0
Tel. (418) 272-4004

L’Anse Bistro

319 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street
, L’Anse-Saint-Jean, Quebec G0V 1J0
Tel. (418) 608-8559

Café on the Wharf

358A Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street
, L’Anse-Saint-Jean, Quebec G0V 1J0
Tel. (418) 272-1190

Petit-Saguenay Solidarity Cooperative (Intermarché)

60 Dumas Street
, Petit-Saguenay, Quebec G0V 1N0
Tel. (418) 272-2034

Lez’Arts Café Bistro

59 Dumas Street
, Petit-Saguenay, Quebec G0V1N0
Tel. (418) 272-3000

Auberge du Jardin Restaurant

71 Dumas Street
, Petit-Saguenay, Quebec G0V 1N0
Tel. (418) 272-3444

French cuisine

Le P’tit Sag Snack Bar

66 Dumas Street
Petit-Saguenay, Quebec G0V 1N0

Accommodations

Le Camp de Base Youth Hostel

5 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street
L’Anse-Saint-Jean, Quebec G0V 1J0
Tel. (418) 272-3359

Recommended accommodations.

Allows you to resume your next day’s trip nearby.

Church of St. Francis of Assisi

50 Tremblay Street
Petit-Saguenay, Quebec G0V 1N0
Tel. (418) 272-2091

(groups). Don. Accommodations subject to availability.

Les Deux Pignons Vacation Rental

115 Dumas Street
Petit-Saguenay, Quebec G0V 1N0
Tel. (418) 272-3091

Auberge du Jardin

71 Dumas Street
Petit-Saguenay, Quebec G0V 1N0
Tel. (418) 272-3444

Website

Things to Do in L’Anse-Saint-Jean

NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS

Covered Bridge

Discover one of Quebec’s few covered bridges at the foot of the church and near the intersection with Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street; walk across it and back to soak up its unique atmosphere.
Located on Rue du Faubourg in L’Anse-Saint-Jean, it stands as a testament to the past and is open year-round.

HERITAGE AND CULTURE

St. John the Baptist Church

Surrounded by mountains and built in the traditional Quebec style, it overlooks the small valley of L’Anse-Saint-Jean.

263 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street in L’Anse-Saint-Jean

NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS

Petit-Saguenay: A Trip to the Pier

Walk along the river (4 km one way). A beautiful and popular spot along the Saguenay River

A Brief History of the Stopover Town

Anse-Saint-Jean

At this site, where the Innu and Mi’kmaq nomads would stop to rest and regain their strength during their journeys between Tadoussac and Lac Saint-Jean, a missionary priest built the first chapel in 1668. It was not until 1838 that settlement and colonization began under the auspices of the Société des Vingt-et-un, focusing on forestry, fishing, and agriculture—including maple syrup production. They even went so far as to build boats there. L’Anse-Saint-Jean became a municipality in 1859.

This place, so beautiful and charming today, has weathered many hardships: famine in themid-19th century, fires in 1875 and 1908, the Spanish flu in 1918, and floods, the most devastating of which occurred in 1996.

The tourism industry has become the area’s mainstay: supported by a marina, visitors can enjoy sea kayaking, sailing, and various types of fishing; horseback riding and hiking with numerous scenic overlooks; skiing in the winter, snowmobile trails, and more. Finally, it is worth noting that the town had a municipal monarchy—a unique occurrence—from 1997 to 2000.

Next step: Departure from Petit-Saguenay (Option 1) or Departure from Sagard (Option 2)

VIEW DETAILS Option 1

VIEW DETAILS FOR OPTION 2