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Photo credit: Geneviève Raymond
With so much open space and nature to discover, the Charlevoix region will not disappoint families fond of entertainment and the outdoors.
Our list of top 6 things to do in Charlevoix is therefore exclusively composed of sports and outdoor activities.
Whether it is to discover the region’s flora and fauna or to stretch your legs, the activities that are on our list are sure to fill you with enthusiasm!
To find out what to do during your family stay, check out our article on the 6 things to do with your family in Charlevoix or check out our other two articles on things to do in the winter and during the summer in Charlevoix.
Book a cottage for rent in Charlevoix.
Photo credit: Steve Deschênes
Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes (“Swan Lake Mountain”) is the highlight of the Grands Jardins National Park, an important part of the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve.
It allows you to discover a particular flora and fauna through a unique ecosystem, the taiga.
Throughout the hiking trails, there are information signs to inform families about the peculiarities of the natural features found in the surrounding environment.
Numerous marked hiking trails line the park and make Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes a perfect place for family walks in Charlevoix.
Finally, don’t miss anything from the two most impressive views in the whole region: one of the Laurentian region’s mountainous landscape and one on the Charlevoix astrobleme, a crater left by the impact of a meteorite that fell several hundred million years ago.
Photo credit: Émilie Langevin
Baie-Saint-Paul is a small village nestled in the hollow of a valley.
The quai du village is the perfect place to go for a walk or a picnic outing with your family on the banks of the St. Lawrence River.
There, you can opt to sunbathe or go for a short swim - be careful, however, as you may have to brave the cold!
The walk can also be extended to the Boisé du quai (“the wharf woodlands”), a nature haven that extends out from the wharf alongside the St. Lawrence.
In the pine forest that makes up the woodland, there is abundant fauna and flora that is very appreciated by budding birdwatchers since several beautiful species of birds can be seen there.
An observation tower located at the western end of the woodland allows you to discreetly observe the marshes below from up close. It’s a real pleasure for children.
Photo credit: La Reine et le Millionnaire
Allowing yourself the opportunity to glide over the snow bundled up at the far end of a dog sled as your canine friends chart their way at low speed is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be lived.
You have two options if you want to experience the pleasures of dog sledding with La Reine et le Millionnaire.
The first is to be guided by a professional musher (the driver of a snow sled pulled by a dog team) who will direct your ride along the trail.
The second is to take control of the hitch yourself.
In any case, the mushers that will accompany you will tailor the experience according to your physical condition and interest in learning more about the profession.
The dog sled ride is one of the most authentic activities you can experience with your family, and young and old alike are likely to remember it for a long time!
Note: You can now hire the services of La Reine et le Millionaire in the summer and go for a “cani-trotinette” in which you will be led by your faithful Husky friends while aboard a scooter.
Photo credit: Francis Gagnon
Charlevoix has the privilege and immense advantage of being situated in a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve.
Consisting of two national parks, the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park and the Grands Jardins National Park, this nature reserve is ideal for discovering a natural setting of unparalleled richness.
The many hiking trails that run through these two parks are marked and designed to provide you with information and keep you safe while respecting the environment to protect the national parks
The different hiking trails in the national parks are rated according to their level of difficulty. You are sure to find one that is apt for your fitness level.
To learn all about the hiking trails in Charlevoix, visit the Charlevoix Tourism website or don’t hesitate to visit them at one of their seven service points.
Photo credit: Francis Gagnon
At the Centre écologique de Port-au-Saumon ecological centre, you can explore the bay to discover its tidal ecosystem.
The uniqueness of the Port-au-Saumon bay’s shoreline lies in the different types of wetlands that make up its shoreline.
Equip yourself with your rain boots to explore the surroundings with your tour guide and discover flocks of beautiful birds coming to feed at low tide.
This unique corner of the country is a favourite place for bird watching. You can observe the great blue heron, spotted sandpipers and the golden eagle during their migration in the spring and autumn.
Thanks to its various trails, the Centre écologique de Port-au-Saumon is the ideal place for children to learn a lot about the St. Lawrence, animals, nature and the Charlevoix region as a whole.
In short, it's the educational outing par excellence!
Photo credit: Groupe Le Massif
The Massif de Charlevoix is the highest elevation east of the Canadian Rockies.
At 806 metres (2644 feet) high, the ski mountain offers a magnificent view of the St. Lawrence River; it gives skiers the amazing impression of being able to dive into it.
The Massif de Charlevoix ski resort attracts many winter sports enthusiasts thanks to its alpine skiing and snowboarding trails, but there’s more!
In wintertime, one can also practise sledging, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and even take a helicopter ride.
Now open year-round, you can also go hiking and mountain biking in the warmer months.
As the Massif is one of Charlevoix’s most popular destinations, several activities have been adapted to accommodate the entire family.
Check out our other articles on the best things to do in the Charlevoix region!