Hiking

Friday noon. All packed and ready to go.

Camping is definitely my look.

C’est Vrai!

On our way to La Malbaie we decided to spend a couple hours walking the old city in Quebec City.

Super enjoyable.

#quebec

After our canoe camping trip we returned home to Montreal to drop off our canoe, shower, do laundry and re-pack our gear for car camping.

By the time we left the house for the Charlevoix region it was mid afternoon.

Knowing we wouldn’t get past Quebec City on day one we set our sights to camp southeast of Quebec City.

We found a great camp spot on the St. Lawrence in the municipal campground of Lotbiniere.

We learned next time to bring water with us, as there was no spigot on site to be found.

A very inexpensive site ($20) and very quiet even though we have neighbors on either side. Loved listening to the river all night.

This is the view in the morning.

#chaudiereappalaches

The view from Montagne Grise.

This hike is part of the trail system in Saint Donat. It’s an easy and relatively rewarding hike. Coming out in the other side of bug season (we don’t hike in bug season in QC) it’s rewarding to be back in the trails.

#valdeslac #laurentides

http://tourismesaint-donat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Carte_Estivale_2018.jpg

Parc des chutes de Denholm

I had been hoping to visit these falls someday and I was delighted that our somewhat random backroads tour brought us right past them.

Before visiting the falls I took a quick hike up the Sentiers des arts to the look out. Well worth the short hike up.

At this time of year, spring, the bugs are bad so bring bug net and bug spray. (Good to keep in your “grab ‘n go” gear all summer.)

http://denholm.ca/index.php/fr/communaute/le-parc-des-chutes

Swimming at the covered bridge in Wakefield.

This is a popular spot. I took a quick swim, water was very chilly this time of year.

Watched a group of young adults jump off the bridge into the water.

There’s a small historic park near here with old buildings, interpretive signs, and parking. In high season I imagine that fills up quickly. There is also road parking up the hill.

According to locals I chatted with, the “swimming rock” where I lounged in the sun is sometimes nearly covered with water if the Paugan Dam, upriver, is opened.

Wakefield itself is a beautiful little village, artsy & touristy with all the usual necessities/attractions - brulerie, boulangerie, patisserie....

For our long weekend trip we stayed at an Airbnb in Chelsea.

Chelsea is a cute place with good access to Gatineau Park. It also feels like the gateway to the Gatineau River valley region with all its outdoor recreation.

Or, you can head south into Ottawa for all the historic and cultural sites.

Lots of possibilities.

Carbide Willson Ruins in Gatineau Park.