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Departure
Saint-Siméon

Option 4 via the L’Orignac Centre Trail
31 km

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

For pilgrims coming from the Maritimes, the Gaspé Peninsula, the North Shore, Rimouski, or Rivière-du-Loup, there is a special way to set out on the Kapoah pilgrimage route.

Arrive in Saint-Siméon de Charlevoix via the magnificent boat crossing from Pointe de Rivière-du-Loup. Then choose one of the four (4) route options leading to La Malbaie.

Start

Quai, Route du Quai, Saint-Siméon de Charlevoix (Quebec) G0T 1X0
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Finish

Uapishtan and L’Épervier Shelters, L’Orignac Trail, La Traversée de Charlevoix, Chemin Grand Fonds N, La Malbaie (Quebec) G5A 3G6
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Distance

31 KM

Route duration

3 DAYS

Difficulty level

MEDIUM

Elevation gain

1,337 M

Itinerary

OPTION 4:
From Saint-Siméon to La Malbaie via the L’Orignac Centre Trail

  • Drive up Route du Quai to Rue Saint-Laurent (Route 138), then turn left toward the southwest. Continue to the end of Rue Saint-Léon. (2 km)
  • Take the La Jetée coastal path toward Ô-Bois. Pass the Ô-Bois visitor center and continue to the junction with the L’Orignac Centre trail. (3 km)
  • Take the L’Orignac Centre trail to the Uapishtan shelter. (18 km)
  • After spending the night, take the same trail toward the L’Épervier shelter. (14 km)
  • For your stays at the Uapishtan and L’Épervier lodges with La Traversée de Charlevoix. (418) 639-2284—you have received a code to gain access to each lodge on your selected dates.
  • Day 3: See Departure from L’Épervier

 

Practical Tips

Plan for today's drive

  • Water, snacks, and meals are available in Saint-Siméon
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Insect repellent in a generous amount

Planning for the Road Ahead

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

Other practical tips for the day

  • Plan to take the Rivière-du-Loup to Saint-Siméon ferry early in the morning so you can complete your chosen route.
  • Reservations are required for the Uapishtan and L’Épervier mountain huts through La Traversée de Charlevoix. (418) 639-2284. You will be given a code to access the interior of each venue on the selected dates.
  • Make sure you have enough mosquito repellent

Points of View

The Saint-Siméon Rest Area

If you have a little time in Saint-Siméon, you can head to the rest stop on Route 138 toward Tadoussac (a 21-minute walk) to stroll along the beach with your feet in the sand. This rest stop, located at the mouth of the Noire River, also has picnic tables. Sometimes, you might even spot a whale.

Arrival of the ferry

Tourists always enjoy watching the ferries dock as they shuttle back and forth—in about 70 minutes—between Trois-Pistoles and Saint-Siméon.

Lakes Along the Forest Trail

Along the way, pilgrims and hikers pass by and skirt lakes of various sizes that break up the monotony of the forested landscape, open up the view, and add to the enjoyment of the journey.

Restaurants / Food

There are no places to eat or restaurants along this forest trail.

There is a wood-burning stove with firewood available for boiling spring water and cooking your dinner—and possibly your lunch the next day. Be sure to bring matches.

Accommodations

Uapishtan and L’Épervier Cabins

L’Orignac Trail
The Charlevoix Crossing
Grand Fonds N Trail
La Malbaie (Quebec) G5A 3G6

Reservations for L’Épervier are required and must be made through La Traversée de Charlevoix. Tel. (418) 639-2284.

See the guidelines on what to bring on their website:

L’Épervier Chalet

Ô-Bois Charlevoix

100 Côte de la Jetée
, Saint-Siméon, Quebec G0T 1X0

Open 24 hours a day. Reservations: (418) 520-9359
On the Côte de la Jeté, a 3-km walk from the village.

A Little History

The Charlevoix Crossing

La Traversée de Charlevoix, a long-distance hiking trail that crosses this region from Saint-Urbain to Saint-Siméon—not to mention a trail leading to Mont Grands-Fonds in the village of the same name—was established in 1977. Originally designed for cross-country skiing by its founder, nature lover and passionate builder Eudore Fortin, it was adapted seventeen years later, in 1994, for hiking. Over the years, shelters have been added that serve as rest stops with wood-burning stoves for relaxation and everything needed for overnight stays, including mattresses for sleeping.

 

Photos: Veillg1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Next Stop: Departure from L’Épervier

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