curiousgirl964

Hi, we are looking for advice on June 2024 road trip thru the Charlevoix and Gaspe peninsula areas of Quebec, focusing on hiking, scenery, cute small towns, and maybe whale-watching. We are traveling as a couple and would welcome any advice (activities, lodging, etc.) on the rough game plan outlined below, and we’d also welcome thoughts on whether early June makes sense for this trip. We have been to Montreal and Quebec City, which are lovely, so our focus is elsewhere this trip.

We are looking at travel the second week in June and we have two main questions: (1) are hiking trails in the Charlevoix area national parks likely to be open and in decent condition (not too slushy or muddy) in June? and (2) we’ve read about blackflies that time of year – minor nuisance in select areas, or major annoyance in the whole region?

As to itinerary, here’s our current game plan, flying into and out of Bangor, Maine (much better flight options for us than Quebec City airport), and staying in B&Bs, Inns, and small motels rather than large hotels whenever possible:

Day 1 – Fly into Bangor (land around noon), pick up rental car, head toward Quebec, and depending on our energy level stop for the night anywhere from northern Maine to Quebec City area (no reason to say in the city unless necessary), possibly as far as Ile d’ Orleans.

Days 2-3 – Area just northeast of Quebec City, potentially including Montmorency Falls, Ile d’ Orleans, and Canyon St. Anne.

Days 4, 5, and/or 6 (two or three days) – Charlevoix area, likely staying in Baie Saint Paul and/or La Malbaie, hiking in National Parc des Grand Jardin and National Parc des Haute Gorges de la Riviere Malbaie (and maybe river cruise there too?), and strolling art galleries and shops in Baie Saint Paul.

Days 6 and/or 7 (one or two days) – Tadoussac area, for whale watching (via boat, Zodiac, or hike), scenic drive and/or short hikes around Fjord de Saguenay, and possibly walk on beach to high dunes in/near Tadoussac.

Day 7 or 8 – Travel day from Tadoussac area toward Gaspe peninsula, crossing the St. Lawrence via ferry (likely from either Les Escoumins or Forestville), possibly a quick stop at National Parc du Bic on the south shore (is it worth the time, e.g., for a short hike or bike ride?), and trying to spend the night well-positioned for Gaspe peninsula activities the next few days.

Days 8, 9, and/or 10 (two or three days) – explore Gaspe Peninsula, focusing on scenic roads along the coastline, hiking in two national parks (Parc National de la Gaspesie and Parc National Forillon), checking out the Rocher Perce, and maybe whale-watching if we didn’t do that in Tadoussac. Not sure where we’ll spend the nights – possibly one night at the lodge in Parc National de la Gaspesie, and one or two nights in B&Bs, Inns, or motels near Forillon, Gaspe, or Bonaventure. If time, maybe check out Le Bioparc de la Gaspesie near the town of Bonaventure on the southern part of the peninsula.

Days 10 and/or 11 (Next 1 or 2 days) – drive from Gaspe peninsula back to Bangor, Maine for our flight home, ideally spending the night somewhere in between if we have time.

Thoughts/recommendations on that game plan? We know we’re covering a lot of ground, but we’ve done long road trips of this nature many times before, and we’re not averse to long drives if scenic or broken up with cute small towns along the way.

Thanks very much!