Located in the northern part of the Lanaudière region, the trail crosses the area’s most beautiful natural environments from West to East. The National Trail will make you discover wild nature and diverse landscapes. On your adventure, you will also have the opportunity to visit some other regional parks of the Matawinie region.
• Trail temporarily closed from Km 0 to KM 5.8 (close to the Chemin du 5e rang): the trail must be cleaned up and the footbridge rebuilt after floods destroyed it.
• Trail closed from Km 5.8 to KM 9. We must close down the trail because it crosses a private property. The Northern section of the Chemin du 5e rang (towards the Domaine Bazinet) remains open.
The Northern portion of the trail is temporarily closed (between the Route 347 and the Copping Lake). This section is being developped and should be reopened during the summer of 2025.
Hydro-Québec is working on the Northern end of the trail located in front of the Sept-Chutes park. It is still open, but roadwork is expected to take place.
The National Trail isn’t only kilometers upon kilometers of discovery: it’s also a gateway to the Ouareau Forest, Chute-à-Bull, and Sept-Chutes Regional Parks.
| Trail name | Length (km) | Elevation gain | Level of difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentier Inter Centre | 28 | Intermediate, Advanced | |
| Sentier du Mont-Ouareau | 13,1  | 240 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier du crique Saint-Loup | 9,6 | n/d | Intermediate |
| Sentier de la rivière Dufresne | 11,5 | n/d | Intermediate |
| Sentier du Massif | 25,5 | 235 m | Advanced |
| Sentier des Contreforts | 27,3 | 350 m | Advanced |
| Sentier Swaggin | 7,4 | 300 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier de la Boule | 20,2 | 270 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier des Perces-Brumes | 6,9 | 200 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier de l’Ours | 10,1 | 200 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier de la Matawinie (secteur Nord) | 19 | 265 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier des Nymphes | 15,8 | 200 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier Mistikush | 11,2 | 100 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier Chériore | 14,6 | 210 m | Intermediate |
With a length of 1,650 km, the National Trail in Quebec (NTQ) is the longest nature trail in Quebec dedicated to hiking, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing. The Trail crosses nine touristic regions of Quebec: Outaouais, Laurentians, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Quebec City, Charlevoix, Manicouagan, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Gaspésie. Learn more (in French) about the National Trail in Quebec.
The tourist company Au Canot Volant in Saint-Côme offers this activity which combines hiking on a 5 km portion of the National Trail and leads you to your canoe for a 6 km descent of the L’Assomption River. Au Canot Volant specializes in canoeing and is also a member of Aventure Écotourisme Québec. Learn more
Get your snowshoes and crampons on! In winter, the National Trail is discovered from a different but just as spectacular angle. Our many refuges will allow you to fully enjoy your stay, even during the cold season.
Be sure to plan your hike carefully, as snowshoeing requires a more sustained effort than hiking.
| Trail name | Length (km) | Elevation gain | Level of difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentier Inter Centre | 28 | Intermediate, Advanced | |
| Sentier du Mont-Ouareau | 13,1 | 240 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier du crique Saint-Loup | 9,6 | n/d | Intermediate |
| Sentier de la rivière Dufresne | 11,5 | n/d | Intermediate |
| Sentier du Massif | 25,5 | 235 m | Advanced |
| Sentier des Contreforts | 27,3 | 350 m | Advanced |
| Sentier Swaggin | 7,4 | 300 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier de la Boule | 20,2 | 270 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier des Perces-Brumes | 6,9 | 200 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier de l’Ours | 10,1 | 200 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier de la Matawinie (secteur Nord) | 19 | 265 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier des Nymphes | 15,8 | 200 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier Mistikush | 11,2 | 100 m | Intermediate |
| Sentier Chériore | 14,6 | 210 m | Intermediate |
The National Trail is also accessible to Nordic skiers. However, the trails are not reserved exclusively for Nordic skiing. Please respect those using the trail for snowshoeing! If you want to access a trail exclusive to Nordic skiing, head towards Saint-Donat. The Inter-Centre trail is offered exclusively to Nordic skiers for the winter season.
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:
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).
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.
| 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.
On the territory of the Lavigne and Nymphs ZECs (des Contreforts, Swaggin, de la Boule, and des Nymphes trails)
On the territory of the Pourvoirie du Domaine Bazinet (De l’Ours Trail and Des Perces-Brumes Trail), you must:
ACCESS AND STAYING FEES
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
CAMPING/REFUGE STAY
CAMPING SITE
CURFEW AND QUIET TIME
SPECIFIC MEASURES FOR DRONES
The following maps are displayed from West to East
Information and reservation:
450 883-2730 / 1 866 266-2730
Chemin Régimbald
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Mésangeai Refuge
GPS
46.2601790, -74.2474080
Road 329, chemin Wall
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Paul-Perreault Refuge
GPS
46.262750, -74.232222
Le Grand R, 251, chemin Fusey, Saint-Donat
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Paul-Perreault Refuge
GPS
46.26856, -74.17758
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
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
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
(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
(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
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
46.272818, -73.883829
(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
(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
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North, Laporte Road
GPS
46.302320, -73.850802
(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
(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$/car/day
Plowed parking lot
Swaggin campsite
Swaggin and Lavigne refuges
GPS
46.317714, -73.835774
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North to Saint-Côme, chemin de la Ferme
Access/Accommodation
No parking (trail access only)
GPS
46.343718, -73.842175
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North until Saint-Côme, chemin de la Ferme
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Lavigne and Boule refuges
GPS
N46 19.062 W7349.229
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North to Saint-Côme, Des Venne rang, Du Lac Guenard/Émile street.
Access/Accommodation
This parking lot is only available to the Boule Trail and refuges customers users.
Plowed parking lot (you must park at the entrance of the second entrance of the Chute-à-Bull park, in front of the gate)
Lavigne and Boule refuges
To access the Chute-à-Bull park, you must park at 101, Théophile-Gauthier street, Saint-Côme.
GPS
46.310108, -73.764815
(East entrance of the trail)
Route 131 North, 5 km after the village of Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie, take the 5th row (in a curve), 4.5 km to the outfitter (pourvoirie)
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot and parking fees ($).
Check the opening hours on www.domainebazinet.com.
Bazinet Refuge
GPS
46.368739, -73.734433
(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
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
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
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
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
Société de développement des parcs régionaux de la Matawinie
A parking meter has now been installed between those two trails. The fee is $10 per vehicle. Your contribution is important to us as it is 100% going towards the improvement and upkeep of the trails. Thank you, and enjoy your hike!
Société de développement des parcs régionaux de la Matawinie.
A parking meter has now been installed between those two trails. The fee is $10 per vehicle. Your contribution is important to us as it is 100% going towards the improvement and upkeep of the trails. Thank you, and enjoy your hike!
