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Departure
Saint-André du Lac-Saint-Jean

20 km

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

After passing through a wooded area, the hikers now walk along a country road—that is, a minor rural road—lined with houses and small farms.

Then, as you gradually approach your destination, you can catch a glimpse of the western edge of the town of Métabetchouan.

Start

10 Rue Du Collège, Saint-André du Lac-Saint-Jean (Quebec) G0W 2K0
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Finish

1569 or 1773 Route 169, Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix, Quebec G8G 1A8
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Distance

20 KM

Route duration

DAY 1

Difficulty level

RURAL ROAD

Elevation gain

215 M

Itinerary

From Saint-André du Lac-Saint-Jean to Métabetchouan

  • Continue along Main Street to the right if you’re coming from the Community Center, or to the left if you’re coming from the cabin. Main Street will become Saint-André Road.
  • Walk past the small park, where you can admire the waterfall on the Métabetchouane River and the ruins of a former paper mill. (0.5 km)
  • Walk past the restaurant and bar. (0.4 km)
  • Continue along the Main Road, which becomes Saint-André Road. (7 km)
  • Then turn right onto the same road to head toward Métabetchouan and begin the long climb leading to this town nestled along Lac-Saint-Jean. (9 km)
  • When you reach the regional highway (Route 169), continue straight ahead onto Rue Saint-André to enter the town of Métabetchouan. (1 km)
  • Drive past the church in Métabetchouan, which is closed for repairs. Continue on Saint-André Street until you reach Route 169. Turn left toward the suggested accommodations. (2 km)

Practical Tips

Plan for today's drive

  • Lunch
  • 2-liter bottle of drinking water

Planning for the Road Ahead

  • Lunch

Point of View

Lake Saint-Jean

As you approach the town of Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix from the top of a steep hill, you can see Lake Saint-Jean stretching out in all its majesty.

Restaurants / Food

IGA

13 Villeneuve Avenue
, Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix, Quebec G8G 1L2
Tel. (418) 349-2266

Métabetchouan Convenience Store

91 Saint-André Street
, Métabetchouan, Quebec G8G 1H2
Tel. (418) 349-3447

Coco-Ricomonicia.ca Restaurant

1 Saint-Antoine Street
, Metabetchouan-Lac-à-La-Croix, Quebec G8G1G6
Tel. (418) 349-3645

Tim Horton’s Coffee

7 Rue Des Érables
, Metabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix, Quebec G8G 1P9
Tel. (418) 349-8956

Le Rond-Point Restaurant

1773 Route 169
, Tel. (418) 349-3413

This restaurant is attached to the Le Rond-Point Motel
www.motelrondpoint.com/#restaurant

Cook-Ziné-Me

22 Saint-André Street,
Métabetchouan (Quebec) G8G 1T9

Pasta flavored using traditional Italian methods, made with ingredients sourced from local and/or eco-friendly farms.

Mexican French fries

2 Saint-André Street
, Métabetchouan, Quebec G8G 1L8
Tel. (418) 349-8345

Le Rigolet Restaurant and Bar

18 Saint-André Street
, Métabetchouan, Quebec G8G 1T7
Tel. (418) 349-3696

Accommodations

Autentis

1569 Route 169
Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix, Quebec G8G 1A8
Tel. 418-349-2816 ext. 1 / Toll-free 1-877-349-2811

Rooms of various sizes, some of which can serve as mini-dormitories—prices vary accordingly.

Available from May through mid-June; also after mid-August.

Le-Rond-Point Motel

1773 Route 169
Métabetchouan, Quebec G8G 1M3
Tel. 1-877-504-4873

Adjacent to Le Rond-Point restaurant

www.motelrondpoint.com/#restaurant

With the owners’ permission, it seems possible to split the cost of the room among several pilgrims—for example, 4 to 6 people.

Things to Do in Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix

NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS

Swimming at Le Rigolet Beach

A family-friendly beach with interpretive trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and dining options on Lake Saint-Jean. Free admission. Check the hours of operation.

22 Saint-André Street
, Métabetchouan

NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS

Tour of the Croft Peninsula Arboretum

Nature walk along interpretive trails, wildlife viewing, picnic area, and amenities, all in an accessible and peaceful forest setting.

Accessible by car or bike. Drive to Lac-à-la-Croix (5 km), take Rue Saint-Louis, pass the church, and continue to Chemin 32, 150 meters ahead. (2 km)

2e rang Est,32e Chemin
, Lac-à-la-Croix area,
, Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix, Quebec G8G 2H1

LEISURE AND RELAXATION

Concerts

Occasional concerts are held at the Summer Music Camp at the Autentis High School dormitories (address: dormitories). Formerly a boarding school, the camp provides lodging and meals for campers and young musicians. For concert information, call (418) 349-2085.

1589 Route 169
, Métabetchouan–Lac-à-la-Croix, Quebec G8G 1A8

HERITAGE AND CULTURE

Économusée® of Cristal du Lac

On the road from Saint-André to Métabetchouane, there is a trail that leads to the Crystal du Lac Mineralogy Activity Center: pearl mining, gold panning, etc. (15 km from Saint-André – 5 km from Métabetchouane), $15 for 2–3 hours.

Watch the crystal miner at work, explore the shop filled with natural treasures, and learn about local geology. At the Excursion site, you can go crystal hunting. Experience life as a prospector: you’ll be able to dig and select your own quartz crystals while enjoying a hike.

1840 Route 169, Métabetchouan, Quebec G8G 1B3

A Brief History of the Stopover Town

Métabetchouan

Métabetchouan derives from an Indigenous name, indicating that the area had been frequented by Innu nomads for centuries. The arrival of Jesuit priest and missionary Jean Dequen in 1647 established a mission in this part of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.

A minor seminary named Marie-reine-du-clergé was established there in 1956 for day and boarding students. It became the site of a renowned summer music camp. In recent years, it has become Autentis High School, where the music camp’s activities continue.

In addition to agriculture—including the dairy industry—and forestry, the region has seen the growth of retail, local services, and tourism. The towns of Métabetchouan and Lac-à-la-Croix were twinned in 1999.

 

Photos: Mathieu BROSSAIS, CC BY 4.0, and Jeangagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Next Stop: Departure from Métabetchouan

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