Gaspésie

You will be required to make your way by your own means to the Mont-Albert Lodge for the appointed time. From Montreal, expect an 8-hour trip by car, not counting any stops, and about a 5 hours 40 minute trip, should you depart from Quebec City. Be sure to arrive in time for dinner and to meet your accompanying guide, and for the first briefing covering events of the following day. Dinner included.

You’ll begin the day with breakfast at the Mont-Albert Lodge, followed by a group departure by shuttle to the start of the trek at Thibault Lake. The trek begins with an approximated 500-meter ascent, heading for the top of Arthur-Allen Mountain which stands at 980 meters above sea level. A group lunch is planned at the top of Arthur-Allen Mountain and the trek then continues towards the peak of Blizzard Mountain… and does it ever deserve its name! Continuing toward Aube Peak (translates as “dawn” peak) which rises to 920 meters; on a clear day, you can admire the steep walls of the northern flank of the Chic-Chocs. As a rule, the winds blow very intensely on that very spot. After 12 km of trekking, you will come upon the Mésange lodge and refuge for the night. A much more rudimentary stay when compared to the 4-star hotel of the previous night, it is required in order to discover the wild path to the Chic-Chocs. The accommodations are still comfortable with bunk beds, wood stove, tables and outside amenities. Dinner and night at the refuge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Distance: 12 km / Elevation and drop: +500 m, -360 m.

Start of the 14 km trek that will lead to Cascapédia Lake. Walk towards Ernest-Ménard Mountain on a trail leading alongside sharp cliffs that suddenly give up a series of viewpoints on the Appalachian Mountains and the wind turbines of Cap-Chat, and on the Saint-Lawrence River. Let it be said that along this trek, you will discover magnificent fauna. Arrival at Cascapédia Lake for dinner and overnight stay, this time in a lodge adjacent to a beach, surrounded by a body of water and mountains. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Distance: 14 km / Elevation and drop: -350m.

Today, your trek takes you through Ells and then Milieu Moutains. From Cascapedia Lake, you will start a continuous ascent. Less than a kilometer from Ells Mountain, you’ll stop at Alain-Potvin Lake. The ascent continues to the top of Ells Mountain, standing at 1,000 meters high above sea level. From this vantage point, you will be able to admire Cascapédia Lake. Then a short descent followed by a climb to Milieu Mountain which is 950 meters high. Its name is derived from the French word ‘milieu’ (middle) as the mountain is seated halfway between Logan and Jacques-Cartier Mountains. After lunch, the trek continues towards Haymardet Lake and the Paruline refuge built facing a lake, where you will arrive during the afternoon for dinner later on, and your stay for the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Distance: 8.5 km / Elevation and drop: +500 m -200 m.

The program of the last day will see you through to the ascent, crossing and descent of Albert Mountain; it being the longest stretch of your trip at 20.5 km. Albert Mountain is made of an orange rock brimmed with heavy metals called serpentine (magnesium silicate). Vegetation at the site is quite unique to Quebec. Its barren plateau gives the illusion of being at a very high mountainous altitude. Woodland caribou come to this exceptional site. You’ll then go through a field littered with immense rocks; watch your step! And at the end, you will have seen fantastical sceneries, and will have gazed upon the infinite decorated by a generous fauna. You’ll have lunch during your trekking. Arrival at Mont-Albert Lodge for a festive dinner to celebrate the end of the adventure, and overnight stay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Distance: 20.5 km / Elevation and drop: +300 m -800 m.

Breakfast at the lodge before all part ways for the trip back home. Breakfast included.