Shared itinerary · Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec
Gaspé Peninsula in 4 days
Four days around the tip of Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula: the Reford Gardens and a night in the Chic-Chocs at Parc national de la Gaspésie, the lighthouses of Route 132 to Forillon, the cliffs at Cap Gaspé where the Appalachians end, then Percé Rock and the northern gannets of Bonaventure Island. 15 stops with times and notes. Most of it opens from June to early October; book the Gîte du Mont-Albert and the Bonaventure boat ahead.
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Updated
Distance
566 km
Reford Gardens → Pub Pit Caribou
Days
4
Stops
15
| Day | Route | Stops | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Reford Gardens to Gîte du Mont-Albert | 3 | 200 km |
| Day 2 | Lac aux Américains to Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse | 4 | 250 km |
| Day 3 | Cap Gaspé to Brise-Bise | 4 | 51.8 km |
| Day 4 | Bonaventure Island to Pub Pit Caribou | 4 | 64.7 km |
Day 1: Reford Gardens to Gîte du Mont-Albert
200 kmFour hours from Quebec City to the gardens, then the St. Lawrence shore and up into the mountains for the night.
- 11:00
Reford Gardens
Park & nature
Elsie Reford’s gardens on the St. Lawrence, with blue Himalayan poppies from late June into July. Lunch at the villa’s restaurant.
63.7 km · 45m drive to next
- 14:30
Matane Lighthouse
Sight
A white lighthouse at the edge of town. Buy Matane shrimp at the shops nearby.
136 km · 2h drive to next
- 17:30
Gîte du Mont-Albert
Stay
The park’s lodge under Mont Albert, 40 km inland from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. Book dinner with the room.
Day 2: Lac aux Américains to Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse
250 kmA morning in the park, then Route 132 around the coast to Forillon, three and a half hours of driving with the stops.
- 08:30
Lac aux Américains
Park & nature
A glacial cirque lake below Mont Xalibu, an easy walk from the lot. Carry on to the summit if the day is clear.
38.8 km · 1h drive to next
- 12:00
La Martre Lighthouse
Sight
An octagonal red wooden lighthouse on Route 132, with a small museum.
98.7 km · 1h 45m drive to next
- 14:30
Galipeault Covered Bridge
Sight
A covered bridge of 1923 over the river at Grande-Vallée, halfway round the coast.
102 km · 1h 45m drive to next
- 16:45
Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse
Sight
Canada’s tallest lighthouse, 34 m, at the gate of Forillon.
Day 3: Cap Gaspé to Brise-Bise
51.8 kmForillon National Park, the end of the Appalachians.
- 08:30
Cap Gaspé
Park & nature
The Land’s End trail, about 8 km return along the cliffs to the lighthouse where the Appalachians meet the sea. Seals below, and often whales.
8.6 km · 10m drive to next
- 13:00
Grande-Grave Heritage Site
Sight
A restored fishing settlement of the early 1900s: the Hyman and Sons store and the Blanchette farm.
2.2 km · 25m drive to next
- 15:00
Cap Bon-Ami
Park & nature
Cliffs over the Gulf from a lookout, and a stair down to the beach.
25.3 km · 40m drive to next
- 18:00
Brise-Bise
Food & drink
Dinner in the town of Gaspé.
Day 4: Bonaventure Island to Pub Pit Caribou
64.7 kmAn hour south to Percé. Take the first boat to Bonaventure; the gannets are loudest in the morning.
- 09:00
Bonaventure Island
Park & nature
The boat from Percé circles the Rocher, then lands you on the island. Walk 3 to 5 km across to the cliffs where more than 100,000 northern gannets nest.
5.5 km · 20m transit to next
- 14:30
Percé Rock
Sight
The pierced rock, from the beach at Mont-Joli off the main street.
1.7 km · 15m walk to next
- 15:30
Géoparc de Percé
Activity
A shuttle up to a glass platform 200 m over the town and the rock.
208 m · 15m walk to next
- 18:00
Pub Pit Caribou
Food & drink
Beer from the Gaspé brewery, and pub food on the main street.
