Day 1: Montreal to Gaspesie National Park
I recommend leaving Montreal bright and early for the start of your road trip to Gaspesie. This ensures you have plenty of time to stop and visit along the way. The majority of the road is along route 132 which follows the Saint-Lawrence river. Expect plenty of scenic viewpoints that will tempt you to pull over and snap a few photos.
I made three stops on the way to Gaspesie National Park. The first I recommend is to grab lunch at the Fabrique Micro-brewery. If you are lucky enough not to be the designated driver definitely have a pint and enjoy the outdoor terrace. Otherwise the food is equally great. I always opt for a seasonal variety of beer and in the summer I definitely prefer a white or blond.
The next recommended stop on the itinerary is the city of Matane. They are reknowned for their shrimps as well as other fish. I also strongly encourage sampling some of their local cheese by Fromagerie du littoral (200, route 132 Est).
Finally, given that Gaspesie National Park is fairly isolated from a major town, make sure you stock up on food and supplies before arrival.
Make sure you keep track of your time because you don’t want to arrive at the park when it is dark. There is very little lighting on the road and a lot of wildlife.
Estimated driving time: 8 hours
Day 2-5: Gaspesie National Park
Gaspesie National Park is an amazing and expansive park that would need at least a week to fully explore. Depending on your interests there is hiking, swimming, canoe/kayaking, wildlife observation, camping, and even fine dining at the Gite St-Albert. I recommend spending a day dedicated to hiking or walking the easier forest trails, and definitely another day at Lake Cascapaedia. For a complete list of recommendation see my detailed post here.
During my stay at Gaspesie National Park, I opted to camp in a tent. I thought the site were pretty much on par with other campsite in the SEPAQ network. They are mostly wooded sites which provides privacy from your neighbours. You can purchase wood and ice at the main reception building and there are bathrooms/showers for all the campers to use. Book a campsite here: https://www.sepaq.com/camping/
Day 5: Gaspesie National Park to Forillon National Park
Another long driving day with so many potential options for pit stops along the way. I stopped at Saint-Anne-des-Monts for some dessert at Marie 4 Poches and Couleur Chocolateries. For a fun stop, especially if travelling with kids is Framboisier Lepage for picking raspberries. It gives everyone the opportunity for everyone to stretch out their legs, gather some fruit, and visit the small farm animals.
Forillon National Park is also pretty isolated from large chainstores, so again make a plan to do some grocery shopping before arriving on site.
Estimated driving time: 3 hours
Day 6-7: Forillon National Park
Overseen by Parks Canada, Forillon National Park encompasses the end of the Gaspesie peninsula and is a dream destination for nature lovers. I found it difficult to fit everything I wanted to see and do in just three days. Forillon has a number of stunning white sandy beaches, a portion of the Appalachian trial, the oldest lighthouse in Canada, and a rich history of the explorers that set to colonize the land and the strategic role in WWII. With so much to do check out my top 10 activities here to help make the most of your time visiting the park.
Day 8: Perce and Ile Bonaventure
One of the days during a trip to Gaspesie has to be a stop at the tourist town of Perce and a boat trip to Ile Bonaventure. I absolutely loved visiting Ilse Bonaventure for its tremendous beauty and well preserved historical buildings. Most people are drawn to Ile Bonaventure for the colony of fou basin that call the island home. It’s truly a sight to behold to see so many birds living together.
I recommend taking the time to walk around the island on the King’s trail. The terrain is fairly flat making it an accessible trail for families. The King’s trail provides breathtaking panamoras of the Saint-Lawrence river. I would plan for about 4-5 hours to visit the entire island.
Day 9: Forillon National Park to Matapaedia
While you can return to Montreal by returning along the same route you arrived, I recommend rounding out the peninsula with a stop at Carlton-sur-le-Lac. This small town is known as a popular windsurfing destination due to the great wind conditions and shallow waters that make it easier for beginners. You can also find many quaint restaurants and cafe that line the main road along the waterfront. It’s a great place for lunch and relaxing in the sun before finishing the drive to Matapaedia.
Matapaedia is known for wildlife observation and fishing. Accommodations in the area are mainly cabins and small bed and breakfasts making it ideal for cozying up in nature.
Estimated driving time: 4.5 hours
Day 10: Matapaedia to Montreal
The last day of the road trip was mostly spent driving back to Montreal. However, I made a stop in Rimouski to pick up some beer from the local brewery, Le Bien Le Malt. Expect to be home by early evening depending on how many stops you make along the way.
