Covering a little over 150 km², the Ouareau Forest Regional Park is the perfect territory for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. It can be accessed from the following sectors: Massif, Grande-Jetée, Grande-Vallée, Pont Suspendu, and Contreforts. The park has over 120 km of mountainous massif, incorporating a network of multifunctional trails which can be enjoyed by hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. But the fun doesn’t end there: numerous shelters and rustic camping sites allow hikers to extend their stay! Crossed by a magnificent river, the Ouareau Forest highlights many wilderness lakes and a climbing wall recognized and managed by the Fédération québécoise de la montagne et de l’escalade (FQME). The Ouareau Forest Regional Park is sure to satisfy any outdoor lover!
Parks
Ouareau Forest Regional Park
Chertsey | Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci | Entrelacs | Saint-Côme
Trail conditions
Hikes: All the other trails are open at all times.
When the front desk is closed, you must pay your daily fee at the parking meter.
Have a good day!
Last update :28 November 2025
Activities
Lodging
Services
Pricing
Regulations
Maps
Contact
Activities
Lodging
Lodging
Services
Services
Luggage transportation
NOTE: This service is only available in the Ouareau Forest Regional Park area (Massif trail).
Why tire yourself with your heavy backpack all day? Make the most of your stay in a refuge by using our luggage transportation service. Your luggage will be carried from the welcome station to the refuge of your choice or from refuge to refuge.
The following rules apply:
- During the park’s opening periods, luggage transportation is available until 5:00 P.M. during the week and until 11:30 A.M. on weekends.
- The minimum price is $75.00, taxes included, (for 4 bags) and $15.00 per additional bag. Rates are for one-way travel, from one service point to a shelter or from one shelter to another.
- The bag must have a maximum capacity of 45 pounds. Only reasonably loaded bags will be accepted. Avoid large, heavy loads.
Snowshoe rental
NOTE: This service is only available in the Ouareau Forest Regional Park area (Massif Trail).
Want to rent snowshoes to go on an adventure on the park’s trails? Snowshoe rentals are now available at the Massif front desk in Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci. Rate: $18 (including access fee) or $10 (with refuge rental).
Taxi transportation
Want to get to the beginning of your trail or back to your car at the end of your hike? You can contact our local businesses: Taxi Bruneau: 450-886-2331.
Pricing
Pricing
| Rustic camping (night): Saint-Côme: Swaggin sector Forêt Ouareau : Massif and Pont-Suspendu sectors | 39,14 $ / site / night 30,44 $ per additional tent |
| Refuge | 30,44 $ / night / person (Swaggin: minimum 4 pers. on weekends)* |
| In exclusivity | |
| Swaggin Refuge (20) | 208,74 $ |
| Refuge Boule (8) | 95,67 $ |
| Refuge Bazinet (8) | 95,67 $ |
| Refuge Lavigne (8) | 95,67 $ |
Note: Prices do not include taxes and can change without notice.
The National Trail generally offers free access for hiking except when the trail crosses a regional park, then you must pay the access fee in effect in the park. This fee ($9/adult) is applied in the Ouareau Forest Regional Park (Massif, Contreforts, and Pont-Suspendu sectors) and in every other Matawinie regional park.
Furthermore, hikers must also respect the rates of our partners, notably at the Domaine Bazinet outfitter. At the Domaine Bazinet outfitter, whether you are on a short or long hike, the parking fee is $10 per car per day.
Thank you for respecting these fees. It allows us to support the development of the National Trail and showcase exceptional natural areas.
Booking
To book your stay, you can use the online reservation service.
*For one rental per person (45$/night/pers.), please call 1-866-266-2730 no later than 48 hours before your arrival date. Before this time, exclusivity takes precedence. Applies only to Paul-Perreault, Lavigne, Boule, and Bazinet huts.
Regulations
Regulations
Throughout the National Trail
- Respect the Rando Québec Hiker’s Code of Ethics.
- Bring back all your waste.
- Respect the “Leave No Trace” principles.
- Do not cut trees.
- Respect the fire ban.
- Dogs are allowed on a leash, but they must not be allowed inside the buildings (welcoming station, non-designated huts, etc.)
- Pay your access fee (Ouareau Forest) or camping fee (applicable only for the Ouareau Forest and the Swaggin Sector in St-Côme)
Territory of the Lavigne and des Nymphes ZECs
On the territory of the Lavigne and Nymphs ZECs (des Contreforts, Swaggin, de la Boule, and des Nymphes trails)
- You have the right to walk on the National Trail by following the path and markings of the trail, but you cannot practice other hunting, fishing, or gathering activities without registering at the ZEC first.
- It is important to respect trail closures during hunting season. Signs are posted at the start of the trails. Since the dates change yearly, check out the following website www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca or our website every fall.
- If you access the ZEC by vehicle, you must register at the ZEC’s front desk. For more information, check out www.zeclavigne.com and zecdesnymphes.reseauzec.com
Territory of the Domaine Bazinet Outfitter
On the territory of the Pourvoirie du Domaine Bazinet (De l’Ours Trail and Des Perces-Brumes Trail), you must:
- Pay the parking fee for your vehicle (10$/vehicle/day);
- Respect the closing of the trails during the hunting season;
- Respect the ban on outdoor fires.
Matawinie Regional Parks
ACCESS AND STAYING FEES
- All persons accessing the regional park and using infrastructures or services for which a fee applies must register and pay the required fees.
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
- Domestic animals are accepted in a regional park, provided that they are kept on a leash not exceeding two (2) meters in length at all times, with the exception of public beaches, as well as on the cross-country ski trails of the Ouareau Forest Regional Park during the winter period.
- At all times, the owner must pick up their animal’s droppings and dispose of them in an appropriate place.
- The animals must not enter the buildings (reception area, sanitary block, shelter, etc.) at any time.
- Animals must be under the constant supervision of their owner.
CAMPING/REFUGE STAY
- Camping in a regional park is prohibited other than in areas specifically designated for that purpose.
- It is forbidden to camp in a regional park without having paid the camping fee.
- The arrival time for short stays is between 3:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M.
- All persons camping in the park must vacate their campsite by 12:00 noon on the last day of their stay. The site must be left in the same condition as when you arrived.
CAMPING SITE
- A campsite may contain one (1) piece of camping equipment, with the exception of sites determined by the park administration, which may receive additional equipment.
CURFEW AND QUIET TIME
- The curfew is from 11:00 P.M. to 8:00 A.M. During that time period, no noise that could be heard from the neighboring sites is allowed within the campsites.
SPECIFIC MEASURES FOR DRONES
- In order to minimize the impact on the guest experience and wildlife, the use of drones for recreational purposes is not permitted in regional parks.
Maps
Maps
The following maps are displayed from West to East
De l’Inter-Centre Trail
Saint-DonatDu Mont-Ouareau Trail
Saint-Donat and Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci
Du Crique Saint-Loup Trail and De la rivière Dufresne Trail
Notre-Dame-de-la-MerciMassif Trail
Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci This map shows all the trails in the Massif and Pont-Suspendu sectors of the Ouareau Forest Regional Park. An entrance fee applies to access these trails. The map includes the Massif trail from km 0 to km 23. The end of the trail (km 23 to km 25.5) is on the Contreforts Trail map (National Trail).Contreforts Trail
Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci and Saint-Côme Note: This map also includes the end of the Massif trail from the 24th km to the 26.5 km as well as the Capucines, Haut-Perché and Pont-Suspendu refuges.Sentier des Perces-Brumes and Sentier de l’Ours
Saint-Côme and Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie Note: Parking fees apply to access the trails from the Domaine Bazinet outfitter.Matawinie Trail (South Sector)
Sainte-Émélie-de-l’ÉnergieMatawinie Trail (North Sector) and Des Nymphes Trail (West Sector)
Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie and ZEC des NymphesDes Nymphes Trail
ZEC des NymphesMistikush Trail
Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve.Chériore Trail
Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve.Contact
Contact information
Information and reservation:
450 883-2730 / 1 866 266-2730
Access to the National Trail in Matawinie
Inter-Centre Trail
Saint-Donat
Chemin Régimbald
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Mésangeai Refuge
GPS
46.2601790, -74.2474080
Mont-Ouareau Trail
Saint-Donat
Road 329, chemin Wall
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Paul-Perreault Refuge
GPS
46.262750, -74.232222
Saint-Donat
Le Grand R, 251, chemin Fusey, Saint-Donat
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Paul-Perreault Refuge
GPS
46.26856, -74.17758
Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci Sector
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North
(8 km North of Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci)
Access/Accommodation
Parking fees: 10$/car/day
Plowed parking lot
Paul-Perreault Refuge
GPS
46.252127, -74.128402
Massif Trail
Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci | Ouareau Forest | Massif Sector
Highway 125 north to Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, chemin du Canard Blanc, chemin du Massif
(reception post of the Ouareau Forest Regional Park)
Access/Accommodation
Entry fees (Ouareau Forest Regional Park)
Plowed parking lot
Forêt Ouareau Refuges
GPS
46.224229, -74.046516
Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci | Ouareau Forest | Pont-Suspendu Sector
Highway 25 North, route 125 North to Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, route 347 South, follow directions, Ouareau Forest, Pont-Suspendu Sector
Access/Accommodation
Entry fees (Ouareau Forest Regional Park)
Plowed parking lot (junction of 347 road and chemin de la Forêt Ouareau)
Pont-Suspendu ande Des Capucines Refuges
GPS
46.251987, -73.970874
Sentier des Contreforts
Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci | Ouareau Forest | Contreforts Sector
(West entrance of the trail)
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North to Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, Route 347 South
Access/Accommodation
Entry fees (Ouareau Forest Regional Park)
Plowed parking lot
Pont-Suspendu ande Des Capucines Refuges
GPS
46.26684, -73.97990
Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci Sector
(Emergency exit)
Highway 25 North, route 125 North to Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, route 347 South
Access/Accommodation
No parking (Emergency exit)
GPS
46.268270, -73.938642
Saint-Côme | Val Saint-Côme Touristic Station
Highway 25 North, route 125 North, route 337 North, route 343 North to Saint-Côme and route 347 North
(follow directions for Val Saint-Côme)
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
GPS
46.27343611824915, -73.88674437341466
Saint-Côme | ch. du Lac Clair
(East entrance to the trail via Lac Clair Road)
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North, Lac Clair Road
Access/Accommodation
The parking lot is located near the Montagne du Tranchant climbing wall
GPS
46.289835, -73.855316
Swaggin Trail
Saint-Côme | ch. du Lac Clair
(East entrance to the trail via Lac Clair Road)
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North, Lac Clair Road
GPS
46.295805, -73.865672
Saint-Côme | Chemin Laporte access
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North, Laporte Road
GPS
46.302320, -73.850802
Saint-Côme | rue Simon Lussier
(West entrance of the trail, Swaggin refuge and bridge)
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North to Saint-Côme, Chemin de la Ferme, Simon-Lussier street
Access/Accommodation
Parking fees: 10$/car/day
Plowed parking lot
Swaggin and Lavigne refuges
GPS
46.317514, -73.836032
De la Boule Trail
Saint-Côme Sector
(West entrance of the trail, Swaggin refuge and footbridge)
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North to Saint-Côme, Chemin de la Ferme, Simon-Lussier street
Access/Accommodation
Parking fees: 10$/car/day
Plowed parking lot
Swaggin campsite
Swaggin and Lavigne refuges
GPS
46.317714, -73.835774
Saint-Côme Sector | Chemin de la Ferme access
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North to Saint-Côme, chemin de la Ferme
Access/Accommodation
No parking (trail access only)
GPS
46.343718, -73.842175
Saint-Côme Sector | Connecting trail, Chemin de la Ferme
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North until Saint-Côme, chemin de la Ferme
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Lavigne and Boule refuges
GPS
N46 19.062 W7349.229
Saint-Côme Sector | Chute-à-Bull Park, connecting trail
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North to Saint-Côme, Des Venne rang, Du Lac Guenard/Émile street.
Access/Accommodation
This parking lot is only available to the Boule Trail and refuges customers users.
Plowed parking lot (you must park at the entrance of the second entrance of the Chute-à-Bull park, in front of the gate)
Lavigne and Boule refuges
To access the Chute-à-Bull park, you must park at 101, Théophile-Gauthier street, Saint-Côme.
GPS
46.310108, -73.764815
Des Perces-Brumes Trail
From Pourvoirie du Domaine Bazinet
(East entrance of the trail)
Route 131 North, 5 km after the village of Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie, take the 5th row (in a curve), 4.5 km to the outfitter (pourvoirie)
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot and parking fees ($).
Check the opening hours on www.domainebazinet.com.
Bazinet Refuge
GPS
46.368739, -73.734433
De l’Ours Trail
From the Pourvoirie du Domaine Bazinet
(North entrance of the trail)
Route 131 North, 5km after the Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie village, take the 5th row (in a curve), continue driving 4.5 km until the outfitter (pourvoirie)
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot with parking fees ($).
Check the opening hours at www.domainebazinet.com.
Bazinet Refuge
GPS
46.368739, -73.734433
From the 5th row
Route 131 North, 5 km after the Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie village, take the 5th row (in a curve). The trail crosses the road.
Access/Accommodation
Access to the trail (no parking)
GPS
46.358339, -73.687656
Matawinie Trail
South entrance
Highway 40 East, exit 122, highway 31 North (Joliette), route 131 North (3 Km north of Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie)
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking
GPS
46.352767, -73.659367
North entrance
Highway 40 East, Highway 31 North (Joliette), Route 131 North (Saint-Zénon) (you can use the Sept-Chutes Regional Park parking lot)
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking
GPS
46.468400, -73.719417
Des Nymphes Trail
West entrance of the trail
Highway 40 East, Highway 31 North (Joliette), Route 131 North (Saint-Zénon) (you can use the Sept-Chutes Regional Park parking lot)
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking
Sept-Chutes refuges
GPS
46.468400, -73.719417
