There’s no shortage of nature in Québec City—the downtown core is surrounded by lush parks and reserves. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a relaxation expert, you’re sure to have a memorable experience with all the great activities on offer.
Here are 6 outdoor experiences to try in Québec City:
1 Cross a Majestic Waterfall or a Dizzying Canyon
Adventurers and dreamers alike can visit several amazing waterfalls in the Québec City Area.
Marvel at the power and height of the waterfalls at Montmorency Falls Park, which are taller than Niagara Falls. Jump into the void and go whizzing over the falls on a zip line, solo or with a friend. It’s guaranteed to send a shiver down your spine!
At Canyon Ste-Anne, you can cross one of three suspension bridges over the deep canyon, then hop on the Air Canyon or try one of the via Ferrata adventures that are open all year round.
2 Hike Through Breathtaking Landscapes
If you love to hike, you’ll love the kilometres of hiking trails around Québec City that are open year round. Trek through ever-changing scenery and stop off at the many jaw-dropping viewpoints overlooking the valley and the St. Lawrence River. Wind your way along rivers and around crystal-clear lakes, and cut through forests rich in biodiversity.
At Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, you can visit one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Québec. Or hike up to the spectacular summits of Sentier des caps in Charlevoix.
3 Cycle on Beautiful Bike Paths or Epic Mountain Trails
You can access the whole Québec City Area from downtown thanks to the many bike paths that link the city to its suburbs and greenbelt. Take a ride around Île d’Orléans and enjoy the island’s rolling countryside and charming heritage buildings.
Mountain bikers will feel the burn on nearly 300 kilometres of singletrack they won’t find anywhere else in Eastern Canada. There are also several easy but exhilarating forest trails for beginners looking to give mountain biking a try.
4 Navigate Calm Waters or Tackle some Rapids
The Québec City Area is bursting with calm, winding, and turbulent rivers. Let the current carry you along as you raft through the stunning scenery.
Try paddle boarding, kayaking, or canoeing on a lake, valley river, or even on the majestic St. Lawrence River. And you can always take a break and chill out on the gorgeous sandy beach at Baie de Beauport.
5 Embrace the Québec Winter and Try a Winter Sport
Winter in Québec isn’t the off-season—it’s the place to be for outdoor enthusiasts, what with the abundant snow cover and all the winter activities on offer. So do like Quebecers do and go play outside!
Carve up the slopes with some downhill skiing, take in the beautiful landscape and the snow-laden trees while cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, explore hundreds of kilometres of trails by snowmobile or fatbike, or try dogsledding.
6 Observe and Photograph Québec Wildlife
Stop for a moment at the bend in a forest path or at the river’s edge and you may get a chance to observe the wildlife. Or take a whale-watching cruise in the St. Lawrence Estuary. You might spot a blue whale, the biggest animal in the world, or a beluga.
Increase your chances of a sighting by going on a bear- and moose-watching tour. And all you avid birdwatchers out there won’t want to miss the Marais du Nord marsh and the Cap-Tourmente flats with their abundance of Québec bird species.
