Parc régional des Grandes-Rivières du lac Saint-Jean

Located to the north of legendary Lake Saint-Jean, La Passerelle du 49e is an outstanding tourist circuit for snowmobilers and quad riders. The 236-kilometre circuit with its numerous bridges features some of Québec’s most beautiful landscapes and rivers, revealing the boreal forest in all its splendour.

The Regional Park has a total of 27 km of snowshoe trails and 50 km of cross-country ski trails in the Pointe-des-Pères, Albanel and Racine-Vauvert sectors.

The Chemin pèlerin Monasteriorum is a 28-km pilgrimage path between Dolbeau-Mistassini and Saint-Eugène-d'Argentenay. Make time stand still by treading in the footsteps of Mistassini’s Cistercian monks. In a contemplative setting, visit the three sites of the Trappist Fathers’ monastery since the community was founded in 1892. Walkers and pilgrims will appreciate the pastoral serenity of the trail as it follows the Aux Rats River between farms and fields.
Open from mid-May to Thanksgiving. The starting point is at the Maison du Parc régional (Pointe-des-Pères sector). Trail maps and pilgrim's credentials are available at the Maison du Parc régional.

To fish in the Regional Park, consult the regulations on sport fishing in Quebec. Some rivers and lakes in the area of the Regional Park are part of the Lac Saint-Jean communal wildlife area (CWA). The CWA comprises Lake Saint-Jean, Lac à Jim and 17 rivers. Sport fishing in the CWA is managed by the Corporation de LACtivité Pêche Lac-Saint-Jean (CLAP).

Partner circuit Au fil des rivières : This 45-km circuit with its crushed-stone surface
is associated with the Véloroute des Bleuets. It links Albanel and Girardville and gives
visitors privileged access to the waterfalls on the Mistassini River, which can be viewed from a sandy beach.

Péribonka, Mistassini, Mistassibi, Ashuapmushuan … these four great rivers are fed by hundreds of lakes and streams in the region’s northern sector, deep in the heart of the boreal forest. They pour their waters into Lake Saint-Jean, Quebec’s largest inhabited lake, an inland sea covering more than 1000 square kilometres. Visiting the rivers in the Regional Park is a voyage back in time, a way to fully grasp the close ties connecting humans and water.

Péribonka, Mistassini, Mistassibi, Ashuapmushuan … these four great rivers are fed by hundreds of lakes and streams in the region’s northern sector, deep in the heart of the boreal forest. They pour their waters into Lake Saint-Jean, Quebec’s largest inhabited lake, an inland sea covering more than 1000 square kilometres. Visiting the rivers in the Regional Park is a voyage back in time, a way to fully grasp the close ties connecting humans and water.

Whether the focus is tourism, recreation or conservation, the various sectors of the Regional Park offer the visitor unique experiences all year long. While each has its own distinctive features, all of them put water front and centre. Shooting rapids at dizzying speed, hiking trails to glorious views, basking on sandy shorelines, exploring a ruined village, reliving the grand era of the log drive: these are just some of the adventures and discoveries in store.

The Regional Park has a total of 52 km of easy-level hiking trails, spread over ten sectors that are free to access.

Come and discover the different sectors of the park :

Albanel sector: Regional sports activities area
L'Écluse sector: Historical witness and vestiges of the past
Eaux-Vives sector: To see majestic landscapes
Saint-Eugène sector : For walking and observation
Chute-à-l'Ours sector: Timeless and legendary landscapes
Bouleau-Jaune sector: To discover the giant that lives in the area
Chute-Blanche sector: Walking and watching is worth it
Racine-Vauvert sector: For beaches, water, living the immensity, the quietness
Pointe-des-Pères sector: Historic site at the confluence of two rivers

Enjoy the ultimate encounter with nature, up close and personal: pitch your tent at one of these thickly wooded, totally isolated campsites. Dogs are allowed. Wilderness campsites are available in the L’Écluse, Eaux-Vives, Albanel and L’Énergie sectors. All sites are along the riverbank, each on its own wooden platform with fireplace and picnic table, and can be reached on foot from the parking area via maintained trails.

Located to the north of legendary Lake Saint-Jean, La Passerelle du 49e is an outstanding tourist circuit for snowmobilers and quad riders. The 236-kilometre circuit with its numerous bridges features some of Québec’s most beautiful landscapes and rivers, revealing the boreal forest in all its splendour.