Located on the northern part of the Lanaudière region the trail crosses the region from west to east criss-crossing the most beautiful natural environments of the northern Lanaudière region, the National Trail will make you discover a wild nature and diversified landscapes. On your way, you will also have the chance to cross some regional parks of the Matawinie.
The National Trail is kilometers and kilometers of discovery but also a gateway to the regional parks of the Forêt Ouareau, the Chute-à-Bull, and the Sept-Chutes.
| 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 tourist regions of Quebec: Outaouais, Laurentians, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Quebec City, Charlevoix, Manicouagan, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Gaspésie. Learn more about the National Trail in Quebec: Learn more (in French)
Au Canot Volant in Saint-Côme offers this activity by combining the hiking on a 5 km portion of the National Trail which will lead you to your canoe for a 6 km descent of the L’Assomption River. Au Canot Volant, a tourist company specializing in canoeing, is also a member of Aventure Écotourisme Québec. Learn more
Get your snowshoes and crampons! In winter, the National Trail is discovered from a different angle, but just as spectacular. The many huts 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 other snowshoers! If you want to access a section 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 exhaust yourself with your heavy backpack all day? Make the most of your stay in a refuge by using our luggage transport service. Your luggage will be transported 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.
Minimum price of $75.00, taxes included, (for 4 bags), $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.
Want to rent snowshoes to go on an adventure on the park’s trails? Snowshoe rentals are now available at the Le Massif welcome station in Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci. Rate: $18 (including access fee) or $10 (with refuge rental)
Want to get to the beginning of your trail or back to your car at the end of your hike? You can contact our local businesses: Taxi Bruneau: 450-886-2331
| Rustic camping (night): Saint-Côme: Swaggin sector Forêt Ouareau : Massif and Pont-Suspendu sectors | 40.00 / site / night 35,00$ per additional tent |
| Refuge | 35.00 / night / person (Swaggin: minimum 4 pers. on weekends)* |
| In exclusivity | |
| Swaggin Refuge (20) | 200,00$ |
| Refuge Boule (8) | 80,00$ |
| Refuge Bazinet (8) | 80,00$ |
| Refuge Lavigne (8) | 80,00$ |
| Refuge Paul Perreault (12) | 125,00$ |
The National Trail generally offers free access for hiking, except when the trail crosses a regional park, you must pay the access fee in effect in the park. This fee ($9/adult) applies in the Forêt Ouareau regional park (Massif, Contreforts and Suspended Bridge sectors) and in all other Matawinie regional parks.
Furthermore, hikers must also respect the rates of our partners, notably at the Domaine Bazinet outfitter. For 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 this fee! It allows us to support the development of the National Trail and to showcase exceptional natural areas.
Reservation
To reserve your stay, you can use the online reservation service.
*For a rental per person, 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.
The Swaggin hut must be reserved for a minimum of 4 people on weekends.
On the territory of the Lavigne and Nymphs ZECs (sentiers des Contreforts, Swaggin, de la Boule et des Nymphes)
On the territory of the Pourvoirie du Domaine Bazinet (sentier de l’Ours and sentier des Perces-Brumes), you must
ACCESS AND STAY FEES
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
CAMPING/SHELTER STAY
CAMPING SITE
CURFEW AND QUIET TIME
SPECIFIC PROVISIONS FOR DRONES
The following maps are proposed from West to East
Information and reservation
450 883-2730 / 1 866 266-2730
chemin Régimbald
Access/Accommodation
Parking lot cleared of snow
Refuge Mésangeai
GPS
46.2601790, -74.2474080
Road 329, chemin Wall
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Refuge Paul-Perreault
GPS
46.262750, -74.232222
Le Grand R, 251, chemin Fusey, Saint-Donat
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Refuge Paul-Perreault
GPS
46.26856, -74.17758
Highway 25 North, route 125 North
(8 km north of Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci)
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
Refuge Paul-Perreault
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
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 indications, Ouareau Forest, Suspended Bridge sector
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot (junction of 347 road and ch. de la Forêt Ouareau)
Pont-Suspendu sector and Refuge Capucine
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
Plowed parking lot
Pont-Suspendu sector and Refuge Capucine
GPS
46.26684, -73.97990
(Emergency exit)
Highway 25 North, route 125 North to NDM, 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 indications 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
Plowed parking lot
GPS
46.295805, -73.865672
(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
Plowed parking lot
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 over L’Assomption river)
Highway 25 North, Route 125 North, Route 337 North, Route 343 North and Route 347 North to Saint-Côme, Chemin de la Ferme, Rue Simon-Lussier
Access/Accommodation
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, Rue Simon-Lussier
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot
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
Autoroute 25 Nord, route 125 Nord, route 337 Nord, route 343 Nord et route 347 Nord jusqu’à 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, follow signs to Chute-à-Bull Park
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot (You must park at the entrance to the park, at the edge of the road).
Lavigne and Boule refuges
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
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot and parking fees ($).
Check the opening hours on www.domainebazinet.com.
Refuge Bazinet
GPS
46.368739, -73.734433
(Entrée nord du sentier)
Route 131 nord, 5km après le village de Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie, prendre le 5e rang (dans une courbe), 4,5 km à faire jusqu’à la pourvoirie
Access/Accommodation
Plowed parking lot and parking fees ($).
Check the opening hours on www.domainebazinet.com.
Refuge Bazinet
GPS
46.368739, -73.734433
Route 131 North, 5 km after the village of Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie, take the 5th rang (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
WARNING THIS NOTICE APPLIES TO ALL PARKS IN OUR TERRITORY! The Matawinie RCM demanded, June 4 in the morning, to evacuate the regional parks as a preventive measure. Until further notice, do not come to visit us. As soon as the situation changes, we will communicate the information. Take care of the forest! Please respect this ban!
WARNING THIS NOTICE APPLIES TO ALL PARKS IN OUR TERRITORY! The Matawinie RCM demanded, June 4 in the morning, to evacuate the regional parks as a preventive measure. Until further notice, do not come to visit us. As soon as the situation changes, we will communicate the information. Take care of the forest! Please respect this ban!
