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Departure
Sagard

Option 2 to Les Palissades
34.2 km

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

A fairly busy road, lined with many cottages and wooded areas.

Start

Sagard Recreation Center, 2640 Route 170, Petit-Saguenay, Quebec G0V 1N0
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Finish

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

34.2 KM

Route duration

DAY 1

Difficulty level

ROUTE TO
: HEAVY TRAFFIC

Elevation gain

30 M

Itinerary

OPTION 2:
From Sagard to Les Palissades de Charlevoix

  • Take Route 170 to the left until you reach Sagard Falls; the entrance is on the right (-100 m). Stop there to cool off if you’d like. (6 km)
  • Turn right back onto the road; the entrance to the public beach at Lac Deschênes (restrooms) is on the left. (19 km)
  • Drive past the entrance to the Club Bataram outfitter. (4.7 km)
  • Once you reach the Les Palissades de Charlevoix site, drive past the parking lot to reach the Visitor Center. 1000 Route 170, Saint-Siméon (Québec) QC G0T 1X0, (418) 647-4422 (4.5 km)

SEE OPTION 1

Practical Tips

Plan for today's drive

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

Planning for the Road Ahead

  • Lunch, snacks, and dinner
  • Insect repellent in a generous amount
  • Bring your own food (4 meals: 2 lunches + dinner and supper—mostly dry food) to Les Palissades
  • Be sure to bring your own food (5 dry meals) for the Charlevoix Crossing route via the Bataram Outfitter and the L’Épervier Shelter if you plan to use the Bataram Trail and the L’Épervier Shelter to reach La Malbaie

Points of View

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

There are no grocery stores or restaurants nearby.

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

Sagard

This forest hamlet, founded in 1919, takes its name from Brother Théodat Sagard, known in the religious order as Brother Gabriel, a Recollect. He was a missionary among the Huron Indigenous people, and his significant legacy is reflected in three (3) works he authored:

  • A Great Journey Through the Land of the Hurons, Located in America Toward the Freshwater Sea, to the Farthest Bounds of New France, Known as Canada [archive], Paris, Denys Moreau, 1632 — On Gallica
  • Dictionary of the Huron Language [archive], Paris, Denys Moreau, 1632 — On Google Books
  • History of Canada and the Journeys Undertaken There by the Friars Minor Recollects for the Conversion of the Infidels. Written and Compiled by Friar Gabriel Sagard, Theodat, C. Sonnius, 1636 — Spelling not modernized.

The hamlet of Sagard is home to about 145 residents and is crossed by two rivers, the Petit-Saguenay and the Deschênes. It was recently annexed by the municipality of Petit-Saguenay. The area is known for its lakes teeming with fish, and even more so for the Laforest estate, located on unorganized land in Charlevoix. Commonly referred to as Sagard, this estate is owned by the Desmarais family, the estate of Paul Desmarais (Sr.).

Next Step: Departure from Les Palissades (2 options)

VIEW DETAILS FOR OPTION 1

VIEW DETAILS FOR OPTION 2