Walking the Trans Canada Trail in Quebec: Research, Resources and Planning Information

Communities, resupply, camping and distances along the Sentier Transcanadien in Quebec

 

Preparing to Walk Across Quebec

 
Before setting out on the Trans Canada Trail in June 2019, we spent more than a year researching and planning the route of the national pathway across Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec. With no single comprehensive guide to walking the entire national trail network, we gathered information from maps, provincial trail organizations, tourism resources, community websites and other available sources. Our research focused on the practicalities of travelling long distances on foot: identifying communities, estimating distances, locating grocery and convenience stores, investigating formal camping opportunities and determining where supplies might be difficult to obtain.

 
The following information brings together our research for Quebec, the fifth province of our #Hike4Birds journey across Canada. We have condensed our extensive planning notes into an overview intended to help future walkers understand the distribution of communities, available services and significant logistical challenges along the route. Our research began in 2018–2019 and was subsequently revised as we continued preparing for our journey, including a February 2020 revision of our provincial guide.
 
However, this information should be treated as a historical planning resource rather than a current directory. Anyone preparing to walk the trail must verify existing services, camping regulations, access arrangements and trail conditions before departure.
 

The Trans Canada Trail in Quebec

 
The route of Quebec's Sentier Transcanadien extends approximately 1,300 km, although the precise distance will depend on the connections and alternatives selected. The province presents a remarkably diverse network of former railway corridors, dedicated cycling pathways, rural roads, forest trails, mountain footpaths and urban greenways. Unlike the relatively continuous rail trails encountered in Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, Quebec's route involves significant changes in terrain, available services and the type of pathway being followed.

 
Our research begins at the New Brunswick border near Dégelis, where the Petit Témis follows a former railway corridor northward through the Témiscouata region to Rivière-du-Loup on the St. Lawrence River. From there, the route of the TCT requires a ferry crossing to Saint-Siméon before entering the Charlevoix region, where the network includes natural footpaths, mountainous terrain and sections requiring special access arrangements. Notably, however, the Charlevoix section of the TCT requires reservations, permits and must be trekked west to east.
 
Beyond Charlevoix, the route descends toward Baie-Saint-Paul before continuing through the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix, the Beaupré region and Quebec City. South and west of Quebec City, the planned route follows portions of the extensive Route Verte cycling network through communities including Plessisville, Victoriaville, Richmond, Sherbrooke, Magog, Granby and Chambly before reaching Montreal.
 
The final portion of our crossing continues north from Montreal through Laval and Saint-Jérôme, following the P'tit Train du Nord toward Mont-Laurier before turning south through the Gatineau Valley and toward Ottawa, Ontario.
 
While many of Quebec's dedicated cycling routes appear to offer frequent communities, well-developed trail surfaces and convenient services, the mountain paths and longer rural connections present different logistical challenges. Our research therefore distinguishes between the more accessible rail trails and cycling corridors, and the sections requiring additional preparation for terrain, accommodation and resupply.
 

Communities and Resupply

 
The following communities were identified during our research as offering groceries, convenience stores, restaurants, accommodations or other useful supplies. The table provides a general overview rather than a complete listing of individual businesses.
 

Community or region	Supplies identified during research
Dégelis	Grocery shopping, pharmacy, restaurants and accommodations
Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac / Cabano	Supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants and camping
Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!	Limited grocery and convenience opportunities
Saint-Modeste	Limited services and nearby camping possibilities
Rivière-du-Loup	Extensive groceries, pharmacies, accommodations, general retail and ferry transportation
Saint-Siméon	Grocery stores, pharmacy, restaurants, accommodations and camping
Saint-Urbain	Limited groceries, hardware, farm products and restaurants
Baie-Saint-Paul	Major regional resupply centre with supermarkets, pharmacy, restaurants and accommodations
Petite-Rivière-Saint-François	Village grocery, accommodations and limited food services, requiring a detour from some trail sections
Saint-Tite-des-Caps	Grocery and convenience supplies
Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges / Mont-Sainte-Anne	Groceries, restaurants, accommodations and outdoor services
Beaupré / Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré	Grocery shopping, restaurants and other community services
Quebec City / Lévis	Extensive groceries, pharmacies, outdoor equipment, medical services and transportation
Saint-Nicolas / Saint-Apollinaire / Dosquet	Grocery and convenience possibilities
Plessisville / Princeville	Supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants and general services
Victoriaville	Extensive groceries, pharmacies, retail and medical services
Warwick / Kingsey Falls / Danville	Grocery and convenience supplies, restaurants and accommodations
Richmond / Windsor	Grocery stores, restaurants and community services
Sherbrooke	Major resupply centre with supermarkets, pharmacies, outdoor retail and hospitals
Magog	Supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, accommodations and general services
Eastman / Waterloo / Bromont	Groceries, convenience stores, restaurants and accommodations
Granby	Extensive grocery shopping, pharmacies and general retail
Farnham / Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu	Grocery stores, restaurants and other services
Chambly / Longueuil	Supermarkets, pharmacies, accommodations and metropolitan services
Montreal	Extensive groceries, outdoor equipment, pharmacies, hospitals and transportation
Laval / Rosemère / Sainte-Thérèse	Supermarkets, convenience stores and suburban services
Saint-Jérôme	Major resupply centre with groceries, pharmacies, retail and accommodations
Prévost / Saint-Adèle / Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts	Grocery shopping, convenience supplies, restaurants and accommodations
Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré / Labelle	Grocery and convenience stores, food services and accommodations
Rivière-Rouge / Nominingue	Grocery stores, pharmacy and smaller community services
Mont-Laurier	Major regional resupply centre with supermarkets, pharmacies, retail and medical services
Grand-Remous / Messines / Maniwaki	Grocery and convenience supplies, with broader services in Maniwaki
Gracefield / Low / Wakefield	Groceries, convenience stores, restaurants and accommodations
Chelsea / Gatineau	Grocery shopping, pharmacies, restaurants, medical services and transportation

Our research identifies Rivière-du-Loup, Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec City, Victoriaville, Sherbrooke, Granby, Montreal, Saint-Jérôme, Mont-Laurier and Maniwaki as particularly useful resupply centres because of the broader range of supplies available.
 
Between these larger communities, Quebec offers numerous smaller towns and villages where basic groceries, bakeries and convenience supplies may be available. However, their proximity to the trail varies considerably. Some businesses appear directly accessible from rail trails and urban pathways, while others require travelling along local roads or leaving the main trail corridor.
 
The Charlevoix and Sentier des Caps wilderness sections present a different situation. Our research indicates that once walkers enter the longer natural footpaths, ordinary shops and supermarkets may be unavailable for several days. Food, water, accommodation and any required reservations must therefore be arranged before beginning these sections.
 

Distances and Significant Gaps Between Services

 
Our research identifies several sections of Quebec where distances, terrain and access arrangements are particularly important.
 
The Petit Témis, connecting the New Brunswick border region with Rivière-du-Loup, is part of an approximately 135 km former railway trail. Communities such as Dégelis and Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac offer resupply possibilities, while smaller settlements may provide only limited services. The relatively developed pathway does not eliminate the need to plan for distances between reliable grocery stops.
 
From Saint-Siméon to Baie-Saint-Paul, our original guide identifies approximately 168 km of proposed travel through Charlevoix. This section includes the Sentier de l'Orignac, identified at approximately 31.35 km, and La Traversée de Charlevoix, identified at approximately 109.68 km. These wilderness routes differ considerably from Quebec's cycling corridors, requiring greater preparation for terrain, accommodation and access. There are few services in this stretch.
 
A particularly important issue is the approximately 20 km shuttle connection associated with Route 381. Our research indicates that this should not simply be treated as a walkable trail connection along the road and that arrangements must be made with the appropriate trail organization. The original notes also identify restrictions and registration requirements for La Traversée de Charlevoix. These arrangements need to be confirmed directly before departure.
 
The Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix, identified in our notes at approximately 42.4 km for one section of the broader trail network, presents further natural footpaths and limited opportunities for conventional grocery resupply. The length of a particular itinerary will depend on the trail connections selected.
 
Beyond Quebec City, the Route Verte provides more frequent communities and services. Nevertheless, the distance between towns, the location of trail junctions and the need to leave the cycling corridor for groceries or accommodations remain important planning considerations.

North of Montreal, the P'tit Train du Nord offers a long former railway corridor connecting a succession of Laurentian communities toward Mont-Laurier. Larger settlements provide opportunities for substantial resupply, while smaller communities may offer more limited supplies.
 
The route south from Mont-Laurier through Grand-Remous, Maniwaki and the Gatineau Valley requires additional attention because portions follow roadways or less-developed trail connections. Our notes identify longer stretches where the availability of formal camping, groceries and convenient water access may be limited.
 
These distances are estimates drawn from our research. Individual routes, connecting trails and access arrangements may differ, and the figures should not be substituted for current trail maps or measurements.
 

Formal Camping Opportunities

 
Our research identifies a broad range of provincial, municipal, private and designated wilderness camping possibilities across Quebec, although their distribution varies considerably between regions.  Given the size of the cities – especially from Quebec City to Montreal – it is likely that TCT trail users should expect to stay in B&Bs, hotels or other indoor accommodations.
 
Along the Petit Témis, our notes identify camping facilities near Dégelis, Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha! and Rivière-du-Loup. Some established stopping areas on the rail trail were also identified as offering camping platforms or other facilities. These should be distinguished from ordinary picnic shelters and rest areas, which do not necessarily permit overnight camping.
 
In the Charlevoix region, the research identifies municipal and private campgrounds around Saint-Siméon, as well as regulated wilderness accommodation associated with La Traversée de Charlevoix. The latter requires advance investigation of registration, limitations on the direction of travel, available accommodation and transportation arrangements.
 
Further west, facilities were identified around Grands-Jardins National Park, Saint-Urbain, Baie-Saint-Paul, Petite-Rivière-Saint-François and Mont-Sainte-Anne. Our notes also identify camping and accommodation arrangements associated with the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix, including trail refuges and designated overnight facilities.
 
South of Quebec City and later north to Montreal, the research identifies a mixture of private campgrounds and municipal camping possibilities near larger communities and recreational areas. These are not always situated directly on the Route Verte and may require leaving the planned pathway.
 
Along the P'tit Train du Nord, our research identifies various camping facilities and accommodation possibilities in the Laurentians, including locations near Saint-Jérôme, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Labelle, Rivière-Rouge and Mont-Laurier.
 
Further south, toward the Gatineau Valley, our notes include camping possibilities around Grand-Remous, Maniwaki, Gracefield and other communities, although not every identified facility is situated conveniently along the Trans Canada Trail.
 
The availability of camping in Quebec depends on the land-management authority and the particular trail – though wild camping and camping along the trail are strictly forbidden.  Designated wilderness campsites and refuges may require reservations or permits, while municipal and private campgrounds may operate seasonally.
 
For walkers planning a continuous route, the distance between authorized overnight facilities may be as important as the distance between grocery stores. All camping arrangements should be confirmed before travelling.
 

Other Practical Considerations

 
Trail access and navigation: Quebec's Trans Canada Trail combines dedicated cycling corridors, natural footpaths, mountain trails and public roads. Although the Route Verte and several former railway corridors appear well developed, not all connections are straightforward. The Charlevoix region requires particular attention because of trail access arrangements, incomplete or changing connections and designated shuttle services.
 
Wilderness trail preparation: The natural footpaths of Charlevoix differ substantially from the rail trails and cycling corridors. Our research identifies rugged terrain, significant elevation changes and sections requiring more time than their distance might suggest. Walkers should investigate current trail conditions, seasonal restrictions and any required registration before departure.
 
Water: Although rivers, lakes and streams are common throughout Quebec, natural water sources are not always readily accessible from raised rail trails or developed cycling routes. Water quality cannot be assumed, and reliable drinking-water arrangements require attention on both rural and wilderness sections.
 
Food and supplies: Quebec's larger communities offer extensive shopping and equipment replacement opportunities. However, the location of smaller village stores may require significant detours, while the mountain sections provide few opportunities for ordinary resupply. Seasonal availability should also be considered.
 
Trail refuges and accommodations: Some wilderness routes such as Sentier des Caps offer managed refuges or designated overnight facilities rather than conventional campgrounds. Availability, booking requirements and access arrangements differ between trail organizations. A structure marked as a shelter on a map should not automatically be assumed to permit overnight accommodation.
 
Transportation: Our research identifies ferry connections across the St. Lawrence River, particularly between Rivière-du-Loup and Saint-Siméon, Quebec City and Levis, together with regional coach services, railway connections and the special shuttle arrangements associated with Charlevoix. These services may be seasonal and require advance planning.
 
Weather and seasonal limitations: Quebec's large geographic range creates substantial differences in weather and hiking conditions. Mountain areas may experience cold temperatures and snow earlier than more sheltered lowland communities. The length of daylight and the availability of seasonal facilities should be considered when planning autumn travel.
 
Medical and emergency services: Major centres such as Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec City, Victoriaville, Sherbrooke, Montreal, Saint-Jérôme, Mont-Laurier and Gatineau offer medical and other essential services. Emergency access in remote mountain areas may be considerably more difficult, making suitable equipment and communication arrangements important.
 

A Note for Future Walkers

 
These notes represent the research we assembled while preparing for our crossing of Quebec on the Trans Canada Trail. They were intended to answer the practical questions associated with travelling through a province where developed cycling corridors, remote wilderness trails, extensive urban networks and rural roads form part of the same national pathway.
 
The Trans Canada Trail is an evolving network, and businesses, camping facilities, transportation services and trail connections may have changed since our original research. We encourage future walkers to consult current trail organizations, provincial resources, maps and service providers before departure, particularly where access arrangements, reservations or shuttle connections are required.
 
For a fuller account of the landscapes, communities, wildlife, histories and experiences of our journey, we invite you to explore our daily Quebec#Hike4Birds entries.
 
For more detailed information, check out our Reflections on Hiking the Trans Canada Trail in Quebec.
 
See you on the trail!