Here are Top 5 – Snowmobile tours in Top 5 – Snowmobile tours in Gaspésie on more than 3,000 km of groomed and marked trails. Ride the trails, enjoy the abundant snow and discover breathtaking views of the mountains and the sea.
The Grand Tour
The mythical Grand Tour de la Gaspésie by snowmobile is 1,160 km of pure happiness! Following the Trans-Québec 5, it will take you 5 to 6 days to complete it. You will see the Chic-Chocs mountains, snow-covered trees, spectacular views of the sea and, of course, the imposing Percé Rock. A must-see at least once!
To reach Percé, you will have to leave the Trans-Quebec 5 by taking a local trail of 19 km. You will follow the Route d’Irlande, cross the Route des Failles and arrive in the heart of the village. You can also walk to the wharf and the promenade to get a closer look at the famous Percé Rock. There is no gas station in Percé, but you will find some in Barachois (east) and Grande-Rivière (west).
The Chic-Chocs loop, with Forillon option
Ce circuit de 385 km peut être effectué en 1 ou 2 jours. C’est une aventure dont les motoneigistes ne peuvent que rêver, mais qui reste très accessible et permet de voir des paysages magnifiques. Les éléments vedettes : les montagnes Chic-Chocs et beaucoup de poudreuse ! Vous verrez entre autres les monts Nicol-Albert, Lyall et McGerrigle qui figurent parmi les plus hauts sommets du Québec. Vous traverserez également les réserves fauniques de Matane et des Chic-Chocs, le pays des orignaux, Murdochville et les paysages côtiers du nord de la Gaspésie.
The loop includes trail 595 from St. Paulin to La Cache, where the Mi’kmaq community offers accommodation and good hot meals in a renovated building as well as gas. The tour continues on a local trail to Murdochville, followed by trail 597 north on the Trans-Quebec 5 to Mont-Saint-Pierre and then Saint-Paulin.
You can extend the circuit by adding a loop on the east side including the Forillon sector. You will then take the trails linking Murdochville, Gaspé, Rivière-au-Renard, Grande-Vallée and Mont-Saint-Pierre for a total of 673 km which can be done in 2 or 3 days.
The loop of the doors of Gaspésie
This 178 km loop is perfect for a day trip. It links Mont-Joli, Saint-Damase and Sayabec via the Trans-Québec 5 trail, the 591 towards Sainte-Irène, the 587 N and then the 579 passing by Les Hauteurs and Saint-Gabriel-de-Rimouski, before returning to Mont-Joli via the Trans-Québec 5.
It includes Saint-Pierre Mountain, renowned for its “snow ghosts”, trees covered with thick frost that give you the impression of being in the middle of a ghost forest! This particular appearance of the trees is caused by a meteorological phenomenon produced by the action of wind, humidity and atmospheric pressure.
You can also visit the summit of Radar Mountain, which offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the St. Lawrence, the windmills and the Matapedia Valley.
The Gaspé Peninsula is the cradle of wind power, and you will have the opportunity to be impressed by these immense structures at various points along your route. The region is one of the only places where you can ride near wind farms by snowmobile.
Located directly on the Trans-Quebec 5 trail, the Saint-Damase snowmobile relay is easily accessible, without detours. Offering a restaurant and a bar, the relay is the ideal place to enjoy a hot meal, have a drink in good company or simply warm up in front of the wood stove in a friendly atmosphere!
The Plateaux loop
Another beautiful circuit for a day trip is the Plateaux Loop which represents 210 km. It includes the Trans-Quebec 5 trail from Causapscal southward, then the 587 S to pass through Saint-André-de-Restigouche, Matapédia, Saint-Alexis-de-Matapédia, Saint-François-d’Assise and Albertville, before returning to Causapscal. The landscapes of this sector are picturesque, with different views of the rivers and villages.
The loop of the Petit Tour de la Gaspésie
Representing 833 km, the Petit Tour de la Gaspésie can be done in 3 or 4 days. It is a great alternative to experience the Gaspé Peninsula by snowmobile if you don’t have enough time to do the Grand Tour… or if you have already done it! The Petit Tour includes the Trans-Quebec 5 trail from Saint-Paulin to New Richmond (passing by Mont-Saint-Pierre, Grande-Vallée, Rivière-au-Renard, Gaspé, Percé and Chandler), before branching off into the heart of the Gaspé via the 595. The Percé Rock, the spectacular views of the sea, the crossing of the magnificent Chic-Chocs and the abundance of powder snow are the highlights of this tour.
The section of the Trans-Québec 5 trail, which runs along the St. Lawrence River, offers you impressive views of the Gulf, which stretch as far as the eye can see. Thanks to your snowmobile, you will be able to go to sectors that are otherwise inaccessible! A must-see, 1 km from the trail, is Mount Saint-Pierre, which has four fenced-in viewpoints on the edge of a cliff. You will see the villages, the sea and even the North Shore on a clear day. Also, at 0.6 km from the trail, Mount Bernèche offers another very impressive viewpoint.
Ready to take advantage of the multitude of snowmobile trails that the Gaspé Peninsula has to offer? Find the details of these tours and plan your stay at tourisme-gaspesie.com. Come and take your own tour!
Warning
The accessibility of the activities and trails described may vary for the 2020-2021 season. Before you travel, get informed.
Photos : Roger St-Laurent et Club motoneige Vallée
