5 Places to See Fall Colours in Gaspésie

Admire the changing leaves in Gaspésie this fall! Here are 5 places where you can soak up spectacular views of colourful foliage in our region.

Station de montagne sur mer de Mont-Saint-Pierre

In the last fall, the Delta and Crête trails, which lead to the top of Mount Saint-Pierre (430-metre), were completely redesigned to make them accessible to all visitors. Connected to the International Appalachian Trail (GRA1), which will take you through the legendary Chic-Choc Mountains, this natural amphitheatre is a great place to admire some of the most beautiful sunsets! A shuttle service with Carrefour Aventure will take you to the top, which offers an exceptional view of the St. Lawrence and a glacial valley, until September 30, 2023. 

Mont-Saint-Pierre. Photo: Carrefour Aventure

Cap-Bon-Ami is a site of rare beauty located in Forillon National Park, where the cliffs plunge into the endless sea. While admiring the panoramic view of fall colours, breathe in the fresh sea air and observe the seabirds, whales and seals that sometimes steal the show! From Cap-Bon-Ami, you have two hiking options: you can enjoy a 7.8-km loop trail to Mount Saint-Alban, or you can walk to the 283-metre observation tower and back (3.6-km round trip). After your exertions, reward yourself with a picnic on the beach featuring local flavours!

Forillon National Park. Photo: Roger St-Laurent

Suspended from the side of Mount Sainte-Anne at an altitude of 200 m, the glass platform in the Percé UNESCO Global Geopark allows you to see the forest under your feet! You will also have a front-row seat to admire majestic Percé Rock, Bonaventure Island and the sea. Open until October 13, 2024. You will also find, in the mountain, a network of hiking trails totaling 18 km, accessible year-round.

Percé UNESCO Global Geopark. Photo: Roger Saint-Laurent

Access the summit of Mount Saint-Joseph, at an altitude of 555 m, by car via Rue de la Montagne or by foot via the road or a hiking trail. At the top of the mountain, you will find a long wooden footbridge and a lookout offering a breathtaking view of the Carleton-sur-Mer barachois as well as Chaleur Bay and the coast.

In the fall, you can also admire the beautiful colours of the leaves. Along the footbridge, interpretive panels will reveal highlights of the region’s history and geography. You can also visit the Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Saint-Joseph oratory (1935) as well as enjoy hiking trails for all levels, intermediate mountain bike trails and a natural climbing wall with beginner and intermediate routes.

Mont Saint-Joseph. Photo: Dany Vachon

In the fall, driving through the Matapédia-et-les-Plateaux region, which is home to crystal-clear rivers and colourful hills, is an experience in itself… For an even more spectacular view, you can get up high thanks to two structures with exceptional architecture Route des Belvédères (Lookout Route).

In Matapédia, the Deux-Rivières lookout is a curved wooden tunnel at the top of a cliff. It offers a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Matapédia and Restigouche rivers. The Coeur des Plateaux lookout, in Saint-André-de-Restigouche, is a curving wood and metal tower standing on one of the highest points in the region. From the platform at the very top, you can admire a 360-degree panoramic view of beautiful agricultural landscapes that extend for 100 km on a clear day!

Built several years ago, the Horizon de Rêve lookout in Saint-Alexis-de-Matapédia offers a stunning panoramic view of the Restigouche River from an altitude of 300 metres. While you are in this region, don’t miss the observation tower and the Picot Falls in Saint-André-de-Restigouche, the Robitaille Falls in Saint-Alexis-de-Matapédia as well as the colourful maple groves.

Deux-Rivières lookout, Matapédia. Photo: Dany Vachon

The ideal time to observe fall colours in Gaspésie is hard to predict, although traditionally the leaves are at their best during the first two weeks of October. You can also admire the landscape from the sea. Whether you opt for a cruise aboard a sightseeing boat, go on a boat tour to Bonaventure Island in Percé, participate in a Zodiac excursion or go out in a sea kayak, you will experience Gaspésie in the fall from a completely different perspective!

Admire spectacular views of Gaspésie this fall! 

For more ideas for your fall vacation, read the following blog posts:

• 5 Fall Activities in Gaspésie
• 5 Colourful Fall Hikes in Gaspésie
• Sea Excursions in Gaspésie in the Fall