This Fall, Explore La Matapédia, a Quad Biking Paradise!

Here is a suggested itinerary for a 4-day adventure in La Matapédia in Gaspésie in the fall. Whether you are a beginner or experienced four-wheeler rider, you can discover the best viewpoints in the Matapédia Valley along 700 km of exceptional trails.

To make the most of your stay, download the free “Club VTT de La Matapédia” mobile app, which will give you your location on the trails as you ride as well as provide you with all the information you need during your adventure.

To start your adventure off on the right foot, set off on a 69-km ride through the forest to discover hidden treasures such as the waterfall in Alfred Lake and the lookout on the Saint-Pierre Mountain at the heart of the Appalachians. This ride also gives you the opportunity to admire the Lac-Alfred wind farm.

Your second ride of the day is a tour of majestic Lake Matapédia. This adventure will take you along about 70 km of trails and gives you the opportunity to enjoy sandy beaches as well as take in views of the Matapédia Valley from several lookouts.

Other options for activities: La Vallée de la Framboise economuseum, observation from the top of the mountain in Parc régional Val-d’Irène, hiking in Parc régional de la Seigneurie du lac Matapédia (until October 5, 2024)

Local flavours to try: Head to Cantine La Paysanne to try their famous subs!

Four-wheelers along a trail in the Matapédia Valley. Photo: CHOK Images

Set off to explore a neighbouring area, Les Plateaux, with a round-trip ride along 175 km of trails. This adventure will immerse you in nature for about 50 km between Sainte-Florence and Saint-François-d’Assise. Discover the lookouts and many waterfalls along the Matapédia-Les Plateaux tour. When you return to Amqui, enjoy a relaxing meal on a terrace.

Other options for activities: Route des belvédères (scenic drive, open until October 14, 2024), canoeing with Nature Aventure (until September 15, 2024)

Local flavours to try: Enjoy a good meal at the Restaurant Pastali and then, stop in at Microbrasserie La Captive in Amqui to try their craft beers

Deux-Rivières lookout in Matapédia, one of the structures along the Route des Belvédères scenic drive. Photo: La Semelle verte

La Matapédia is named after its famous salmon river, which attracts hundreds of local and visiting anglers every year who want to try their luck at catching this combative fish. You can learn more about the king of our rivers during a ride that will take you to Causapscal, among other places, where you can visit a salmon fishing museum and a natural salmon observation site: watch up to 500 salmon in season! Be sure to stop at one of the rest areas along the Matapédia River to enjoy a picnic.

Other options for activities: Site patrimonial de pêche Matamajaw (fishing heritage site, open until October 13, 2024), Sentier des Berges et des Mémoires (hiking trail)

Local flavours to try: Visit Auberge la Coulée Douce to enjoy their table d’hôte menu

Panel in the exhibition on the history of salmon fishing at the Site patrimonial de pêche Matamajaw. Photo: Site patrimonial de pêche Matamajaw

We have saved the best for last with the ride to Saint-Alexandre-des-Lacs where the local ATV club has built the second highest suspended lookout in the world! Shaped like the bow of a boat, the lookout juts out over the Matapédia Valley, giving you a breathtaking view of the 33-metre Chute à Philomène waterfall. The lookout sways gently as you walk on it and, if you are brave enough, you can admire the treetops under your feet through the glass panel in the floor. Don’t worry, this architectural gem is completely safe!

Other option for activity: Course of the Via Ferrata - Chute à Philomène (until September 22, 2024)

Local flavours to try: Sample the Chocolatrie BelJade products (chocolate shop).

Admiring the view through the floor of the lookout over the Chute à Philomène waterfall. Photo: Zone Blanche

Please note that this itinerary is intended for information purposes only; it is not a package. It is meant to inspire you and may be modified as you wish.

This blog post is sponsored by MRC de La Matapédia.

• Check the trail closures during the hunting periods in fall in zecs and wildlife reserves. More information (in French only).

This fall, explore La Matapédia, a quad biking paradise!

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

• Discover La Mitis in the Fall, at the Gateway to Gaspésie
• Experience the Pulse of La Baie-des-Chaleurs in the Fall