The Route du Fjord

The Route du Fjord crosses both shores of the unique Saguenay Fjord, mainly on routes 170 to the south and 172 to the north. It covers a total of 235 km between the municipalities of Petit-Saguenay and Tadoussac. It can be accessed from the Charlevoix, Quebec City and North Shore regions. It can be discovered by car, motorcycle or bicycle, since the Véloroute du Fjord runs along its entire length. A cycling route adapted to lovers of challenges, mountains and pleasures. Along the way, you will pass through picturesque villages, each one as picturesque as the next, and you won't want to miss a stop to contemplate the postcard-like landscapes. Two of them are even classified among the most beautiful in Quebec: L'Anse-Saint-Jean on the south shore and Sainte-Rose-du-Nord on the north shore.

The Navettes maritimes du Fjord offers different tours between the municipalities of Saguenay (Arr. La Baie) and Tadoussac in order to observe the highest headlands of the Fjord directly by navigating its waters aboard one of its 3 boats. Several other companies also offer various possibilities of navigating this mythical portion of the Saguenay River such as kayaking, zodiac, sailing and even rabaska!

Outdoor enthusiasts will be pleased with the many activities offered in the area, including several hundred kilometers of hiking trails, two Via Ferrata courses, an aerial park, two national parks and a marine park. Cultural enthusiasts will also find something to their liking with a mythical show presented on summer evenings and fascinating museums recounting the history of the region and its inhabitants.

The fjord was created from the power of the glaciers that once carved its immense corridor. Sandwiched between steep cliffs, the Saguenay Fjord runs smoothly along kilometers of waterway where cruise ships and light craft cohabit. What makes it a special waterway is that on the surface, there is fresh water coming from the Saint-Jean Lake and at depth, salt water that is drawn from the St. Lawrence River at high tide. This means that its fauna is just as rich in its depth as it is on its surface. In summer, you can observe belugas, harbour seals and minke whales. You can also fish for about forty species such as redfish on the ice in winter. Its shores are populated with pretty riverside villages nestled in quiet bays that look like postcards.