Gaspé Park

Le Parc national de la Gaspésie (Gaspésie Park) is a provincial park located in the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula. The main attraction of the park is the Chics Chocs mountains, one of Quebec's highest mountain ranges located in the northern chain of the Appalachian Mountains (Les Appalaches).

Understand

Gaspé Peninsula is a sparsely populated region. Most settlements are on or near the coast, meaning that the interior of the peninsula is rather untouched. The park is one of the southernmost places in North America where caribou can be seen in their natural environment. The place is also full of moose.

Get in

By car

From Montreal, take highways 20 and then 132. The trip takes approximately 8 hours. If you have the stamina and an early starting time, you can do the trip in a day. Otherwise, it is very pleasant to take 2 days and discover some of the towns along the way. Once you reach St Anne des Monts, the turn-off for the Parc de la Gaspésie is signposted, although it can be easy to miss (small brown sign). Look for the Tim Horton's - it is on the same road that you need to drive down. To get to the Gîte du Mt-Albert will take about half an hour's further driving. The times will vary to get to the different camping grounds. If you want more information before driving into the park, there is a tourist centre in St Anne des Monts but it is only open during summertime.

By bus

By bus: http://www.orleansexpress.com/Search.aspx

Get around

A car is advisable.

See

The Chic-Chocs mountain range offers very scenic views, especially atop the many mountains in the park. To see the caribou you have to either camp at or take a shuttle bus to the Mt. Cartier campsite. This camp site is very remote and located pretty far from the main info. centre. The only way to go up is to buy a ticket on the shuttle bus from the campsite at scheduled times. It's well worth the hike up for the nice view. It takes about 3-4 hrs. to hike to the top and back. Rangers are mostly bi-lingual.

Do

Hike. Climbing mountains (there are many paths) or walking around the Mont Albert are popular activities (though the last one lasts about 6h).

Eat

Budget

• Visitor's Interpretation Centre -- There is a "supplies" area in the shop here which is fabulous for those camping and/or

hiking. It carries many camping packet foods, cooking fuel, other camping necessities and water.

• St Anne des Monts -- Approximately half an hour from the park, this town has all the usual convenience stores, fast food eateries and local restaurants.

Mid-range

• Gîte du Mt-Albert -- The dining facilities here are superb and the food is prepared by a chef using local produce and in many cases, it is organic. It is advisable to book, as it can get very busy here with guests already seeking tables as part of their package deals.

Drink

• Gîte du Mt-Albert -- This establishment has a bar in the front entrance area that non-guests are welcome to use.

Sleep

Budget

You can sleep at the park camping. If you don't have camping equipment, you can rent a hut, but you should reserve early.

Mid-range

• Gîte du Mont-Albert -- For a resort with a 4 star rating, it is hard to beat the Gîte du Mont-Albert. This mountain lodge resort is run by the Quebec Parks Network (SEPAQ). If you take a package deal, you will get luxurious accommodation plus breakfast and 3 course dinners cooked by a chef. The chef is able to accommodate any dietary requests, even vegan. The Gîte rooms are spacious and all have magnificent views over Mont Albert. The package deal works out to be very reasonable - as at 2007, a 5 day package per person during winter a little under $600. During winter, the lodge offers many skiing and snowshoeing trails, many of which commence from the site, meaning that you can leave your car and completely relax. In summer, these become hiking trails. Be warned, the rooms are without TV, to help you truly relax and enjoy the great outdoors surrounding you. There is also a pool during summer (completely snowed in during winter) and a sauna all year round. The front entrance area features many places to sit and while away the evenings with puzzles, games, reading, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from the bar and delicious snacks. All in all, it is an amazing place to stay and given all that you get for the price, incredibly reasonable.

Contact

• Gîte du Mt-Albert -- This resort can be reached on a toll free number 1 866 727-2427. See further the website: Gîte du Mt-Albert.

Stay safe

The usual precautions occur. Use snow tires during winter and drive carefully. You will probably see the snow piled into embankments on either side of the road due to diligent snow-plowing but take extra care when plowing has not taken place. During summer, be aware that there are black bear in this region. Moose during rutting season should be avoided and drive carefully when visibility is poor, or it is dark, to avoid a possible moose collision. The Park enforces strict rules on hiking near caribou territory for the protection of the caribou herd - ask at the Visitor Interpretation Centre for more information.

Get out

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