Quebec
Gaspé Peninsula

At the northern reaches of the St. Lawrence seaway lies an immense peninsula, known as The Gaspé. Here the imposing Appalachian mountain chain approaches the sea to create a dramatic landscape of rugged mountains and islands. Five centuries ago the Micmac Indians called this land 'Gespeg' or 'Land's End'. Today's inhabitants or 'Gaspesians' are mainly fisherman of French descent. Docks and wharfs abound in the tiny coves, where clusters of ocean capes form the villages of the Gaspé.

The land is dominated by the St. Lawrence, the world's longest, widest and deepest waterway and any tour of this area would be incomplete without taking to the waters. In fact, day one of our six-day hike takes us by boat past the multi-colored Percé rock to Bonaventure Island. Here we disembark to hike through meadows and woods and along cliffs. We will be treated to an abundance of bird life and rare plant life on our way to a typical French Canadian picnic.

Nights one, two and six of our trip are spent hugging the Gaspé coastline, with one day spent exploring the Forillion Federal Park, where the rugged coastline illustrates the powerful contrast between land and sea. Home for two nights of our coastal explorations will be The Hotel Bonaventure Sur Mer set right in the heart of the town of Percé and the last night we will be at The Auberge Les Commandants just minutes from the Gaspé airport. The Bonaventure is known for its great local fare (seafood) and spectacular dining room and both oceanside lodgings offer very comfortable, motel-like accommodations.

The middle part of our trip takes us up to the altitudes of Parc de Ia Gaspesie and three nights at the grand Hotel Gite du Mont Albert. The peaks here soar to over 4000 feet from sea level. The sub-arctic tundra is comparable to that found on the 60th parallel in Quebec's far north, creating an ideal environment for rare flora and fauna (including the woodland Caribou). One of the highest mountains in Quebec, Mont Jacques Cartier is the pride of the park. Its surface is dotted with lakes and hills, broken only by the deep-walled valleys carved out by The Madeleine River and her tributaries. From the peak, the Chic Choc and McGerigle ranges appear as a sea of mountains rising out of the waters below.

Our final day allows us one more chance to discover the coves and pebble beaches of Cape Gaspé.

Trips begin with dinner Saturday and end after hiking and lunch Friday.