“We were riding along a fairly wide trail lined with tall fir trees that gave our ride a cozy feel. A few rays of bright sunlight pierced through the branches and warmed the atmosphere. That’s when it appeared! The majestic St. Lawrence Estuary, with its sparkling blue water stretching as far as the eye could see! A striking vision among many others that can only be found here in the Gaspesia Peninsula.”
Snowmobiling in the Gaspesia Peninsula is more than just a trip. It’s a quest, a wonderland of over 3,000 km of trails maintained, marked, and signposted by 17 snowmobile clubs affiliated with the FCMQ. For lovers of powder snow and breathtaking panoramas, this peninsula offers a scene where the sea meets the mountains in a dazzling white setting.
Every snowmobiler should experience the Grand Tour on the TQ-5 trail at least once in their lifetime, contemplate Mont Saint-Pierre overlooking the river and revealing the Chic-Chocs, or observe Percé Rock from the summit of Mont Sainte-Anne. And what about the view of Chaleur Bay from the top of the mountain at Bouchard in Carleton-sur-Mer, or the “ghosts” personifying trees laden with snow? These are just some of the unique features you will find only on the Gaspesia Peninsula.
The Grand Tour of Gaspsia Peninsula
Fasten your helmets, the Grand Tour of Gaspesia begins in Matane, or why not Mont-Joli, whichever you prefer.
This wide loop of 1,152 km of extraordinary discoveriesusually takes 5 to 6 days to complete. The main route follows the Trans-Québec 5 (TQ-5) trail and runs along the shores of Chaleur Bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
We will choose to head down to La Matapédia before going up to Percé and continuing on to Mont-Saint-Pierre, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, and back to Matane, at your own pace, which we will divide into three major stages. This choice allows us to save the splendid view of the St. Lawrence from above as a grand finale.
First step: from Matane to Matapédia
Starting from Matane, several establishments such as the Riôtel Matane, the Motel Le Portage, or the Quality Inn & Suites Matane welcome snowmobilers with customized packages and services. The TQ-5 first takes us southwest. A short detour via trail 587 N will lead you to Montagne Saint-Pierre in La Rédemption, with its fields and snow-covered trees, nicknamed “the ghosts.” Then you’ll head for the magnificent Matapédia Valley and its picturesque villages. In Causapscal, home to the Auberge La Coulée Douce, you’ll find yourself in the heart of varied landscapes, with views of rivers and hamlets.
Stage 2: From Matapédia to Percé
The Grand Tour (TQ-5) continues eastward, skirting Chaleur Bay. This is the perfect time to enjoy breathtaking views, such as the view of Chaleur Bay from the Bouchard mountain in Carleton-sur-Mer. You’ll find accommodations such as the Riôtel Carleton-sur-Mer or the Auberge Cap Chaleurs in Caplan.
The road eastward offers a beautiful portrait of the diversity of the Gaspé Peninsula. The further you go, the more you feel the presence of the sea. Arriving in Percé is one of the highlights of the trip. You leave the TQ-5 to follow an 18-km local trail to the heart of the village. The emotion is palpable in front of the imposing Rocher Percé. One of the best places to admire it is from the summit of Mont Sainte-Anne in Percé, which offers a unique perspective on the sea and the rock. Accommodation options in the immediate vicinity of Percé are limited to a few seasonal establishments, including the Dômes Rocher Percé at Domaine Renard and Camp de base Gaspésie.
Third step: from Percé to Matane
From Percé, the TQ-5 runs along the east coast, passing through places steeped in history and beauty such as Gaspé (with the Hôtel Plante or the Auberge Le Caribou), Rivière-au-Renard and Grande-Vallée (with the Hôtel-Motel Grande-Vallée). Due to major construction work, the footbridge at Sainte-Madeleine-de-la-Rivière-Madeleine (on the TQ-5) is closed for the 2025 season. From Gaspé, the detour route uses the 597 via Murdochville to reach Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis. A free shuttle service may be set up. Check the FCMQ interactive map or the iMotoneige app for updates.
The trail then leads you to the spectacular cliffs of the Haute-Gaspésie. The passage through the Mont-Saint-Pierre region is memorable.
Mont Saint-Pierre itself offers breathtaking views of the sea and the Chic-Chocs. You can stay at establishments such as the Hôtel Motel Mont-Saint-Pierre.
The TQ-5 runs along the sea in this area, passing through Cap-Chat and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, where you’ll find the Auberge la Seigneurie des Monts and Panora – Loges fluviales. It’s also an opportunity to see the immensity of the Chic-Chocs mountains up close. The option of taking Trail 595 even allows you to cross these majestic mountains, offering panoramic views of the Mur des Chic-Chocs near Cap-Chat. Thirty kilometers before Matane, check out the new Observatoire Chic-Chocs near St-Jean-de-Cherbourg, then the new Scandinavian chalet at Mytik Shack Sucré. The “Njord” can accommodate up to 10 people in Saint-René de Matane. (See box). It’s a beautiful way to end this hike, your mind filled with unforgettable images: the sea, the mountains, and the immaculate trails.
The shortened riding itinerary: Western Peninsula Loop
If you don’t have 5 to 6 days ahead of you, other shorter rides allow you to discover several attractions on the peninsula.
The most complete is the itinerary for the Western Peninsula Loop.
This 704-km trek can be completed in 2 or 3 days. It allows you to quickly immerse yourself in the mountainous area with views of the Chic-Chocs mountains, including Mount Nicol-Albert. It takes the back roads to discover 597 and Murdochville, a former mining town that has focused on tourism to become a place dedicated to outdoor recreation. The circuit also provides access to the coastal landscapes of northern Gaspésie and offers the chance to see wind turbines and perhaps even moose.
Other circuits on offer include La Virée, a one- or two-day excursion, Les Plateaux, a 213-km day trip, and Petite Gaspésie Est, a three- or four-day circuit covering a total of 847 km. You can find out more on the Tourisme Gaspésie website.
The Gaspésie by snowmobile lives up to its promise. It offers a unique combination of maritime and mountain scenery. Between the spectacular landscapes of Mont-Saint-Pierre, the excitement of Rocher Percé, and the immensity of the Chic-Chocs, every kilometer of the TQ-5 trail is a revelation. Whether you choose the large loop or one of the shorter circuits, the peninsula guarantees more than 3,000 km of quality trails, warm hospitality, and cuisine that showcases local flavors, from fresh fish to local meats, not to mention the region’s famous lobsters and crabs.
Gather your gear and come experience the ultimate Quebec winter adventure: a memorable journey in the heart of snowmobile paradise.
New attractions for winter 2025-2026
New attractions are being added to the already abundant offerings in the Gaspé Peninsula.
- The Chic-Chocs Observatory in Matanie: this new observatory will be accessible to snowmobilers starting this winter. It is located 7 km from St-Jean-de-Cherbourg. Access will be via the TQ-5 trail via a 3.5 km loop, which will be groomed by the Club de Matane. The view will stretch from Lake Matane to Cap-Chat. It is a beautiful addition to the itineraries in the Gaspé Peninsula.
- New cottage at Mytik Shack Sucré: for group stays, “Le Njord,” a large Scandinavian cottage, can accommodate up to 10 people in Matane. The cottage has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and indoor and outdoor fireplaces. The site is easily accessible by snowmobile trails and has a large parking lot for trailers. Mytik Shack Sucré also offers meal boxes (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) delivered to the cottage to simplify meal preparation.
By François Cominardi, photos: Dany Vachon, Roger St-Laurent
