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Parc national de la Jacques Cartier

We take you across the Atlantic to the second largest country in the world, Canada.

The country with the emblematic maple leaf is full of places to go hiking. From the Rockies to the Gaspé, via the province of Quebec, there's something for everyone.

Today, we're stopping off at Parc national de la Jacques Cartier, home of our French-speaking friends in the province of Quebec, Canada.

Parc national de la Jacques Cartier is a 30-minute drive from Quebec City. Within the park you will find an extensive mountain plateau, divided into different valleys. The Jacques Cartier valley is one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the region.

At the heart of Parc national de la Jacques Cartier is the Jacques Cartier River, which brings peace and serenity when the river is calm, or vice versa.

Of course, the park is full of activities to help you get back in touch with nature.

Starting with hiking.

With over 100km of hiking trails, Parc national de la Jacques Cartier offers a multitude of possibilities, to suit everyone's level.

Take the Confluence walk, for example. This 1.7km, 35-minute walk offers views of the Jacques Cartier and Sautauriski rivers. With just 10m of ascent, this trail is ideal for families looking for something to do on a sunny weekend.

If you're feeling more adventurous, you can try the Le Draveur du Nord trail. This hike lasts 8.5 hours and is 24.8km long. This breathtaking escapade offers memorable panoramic views of the valleys, crossings along rock faces and even refreshments by a waterfall.

Squirrels are a common sight in the Quebec region, and for the luckiest among you, you may be lucky enough to spot moose.

For more itineraries, take a look at the Sépac website , hiking section.

It's no legend that when winter arrives in Quebec, it doesn't come for nothing. In fact, with the first flakes falling on 18 October 2018 and an accumulation of snow of more than 350cm over the winter of 2018/2019, the region needs to diversify the activities on offer.

Snowshoe trekking is just one of the winter activities on offer in Parc national de la Jacques Cartier.

Parc national de la Jacques Cartier offers more than 94km of snowshoeing, divided into 13 trails. Based on the same principle as hiking, the trails vary in difficulty.

For a 1.5-hour family walk, opt for the 2.4km La Tourbière trail, which will take you through the deciduous and coniferous trees when they are covered in snow.

For the more adventurous, you can try Le chemin de la vallée, 15.4km, to discover Quebec' s landscapes during the beautiful winter season.

Other snowshoeing itineraries can be found on the Sépac website , under Snowshoeing.

But when can you enjoy these vast expanses?

The beauty of Canada, and particularly Quebec, lies in the fact that each season has its own charm.

Let yourself be tempted by the gentle heat of summer, the rainbow of colours in autumn, the change of scenery in winter, or the awakening of nature in spring. Each season has its own surprises.

Want to find out more about Parc national de la Jacques Cartier? Visit the Sépac website to find out more about activities, prices and the best time of year for each activity.

Need to equip yourself for your outings in the great outdoors? Take a look at our selection of products specially designed for outdoor activities on the Speck-Sports website.