5 Highest Peaks to Hike in Gaspésie

Climb any of the 5 highest peaks in Gaspésie during a day hike in the Chic-Choc Mountains!

Located in the eastern part of parc national de la Gaspésie, Mount Jacques-Cartier is home to the only herd of caribou south of the St. Lawrence. With a bit of luck and patience, you may spot a few of these animals at the top of the mountain, at over 1000 m in altitude, where they like to feed on tundra plants. The Mont-Jacques-Cartier trail is a difficult 8.2-km round-trip hike with an elevation gain of 465 metres that takes 4 to 5 hours. The trail is open from July 1 to September 30, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You must take a shuttle bus to the trailhead. 

Located in the McGerrigle sector, on the south side of the park, Mount Richardson is one of the park’s most stunning challenges. The Mont-Richardson trail is an expert-level 11.6-km round-trip hike with an elevation gain of 705 m that takes about 6 hours. The trail is rocky and steep, but your efforts will be rewarded by a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding peaks. This long hike is a great option in the spring or fall.

One of the park’s most popular trails, the Mont-Albert is often the first trail that visitors hike during their stay in this area. The view from the top is spectacular—the expression “a sea of mountains” takes on its full meaning here!

You have two options: an 12.6-km (5.5 hours) round-trip hike to the top of the mountain, with an elevation gain of 850 m (from June 15 to October 14, 2024), or a 17.8-km loop hike that takes from 6 to 8 hours (from July 1 to September 30, 2024). (Both are expert-level trails.)

Mont Albert. Photo: Roger St-Laurent

Located on the western side of parc national de la Gaspésie, on the border between the park and the Réserve faunique de Matane, Mount Logan is accessible by shuttle bus from the park’s Discovery and Visitors Centre or by backpacking (with overnights in huts or campsites along the trail). Once at the top of the mountain, you can admire impressive views: the St. Lawrence and the wind turbines in Cap-Chat to the north and Mount Fortin, Mount Collins and Mount Matawees to the east.

Mont Logan. Photo: Mathieu Dupuis

Also located in the McGerrigle sector, the Mont-Xalibu trail in parc national de la Gaspésie is a difficult 10.6-km round-trip hike with an elevation gain of 540 m that takes 5 to 6 hours. In addition to a magnificent view from the top of the mountain, this trail gives you access to beautiful Lac aux Américains right from the start of your hike. The trail is open from June 15 to October 14, 2024.

Are you looking forward to climbing a mountain in a day in the Chic-Chocs?

See also: 

• 5 Hiking Sites in Gaspésie
• Long Hikes in Gaspésie
• 5 Waterfalls in Gaspésie