This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
In autumn, showers are not uncommon. No question, however, of giving up the hike.
The sky is threatening? A few drops of rain won’t stop you! A friendly tip: never cancel a hike on the pretext that your application announces precipitation; most of the time, we pass between the drops and, generally, the showers are temporary and localized. And that’s nothing compared to the disappointment we’ll have if we canceled our outing, when the weather is starting to get nice. For some, walking in the rain even has an incomparable charm: the scents of undergrowth are exacerbated and, between two showers, the thinnings reflect a very photogenic light on the landscape. And if we are lucky, we are entitled to a rainbow! As a bonus, we are sure that the trails will not be very busy. The condition: choose the right equipment and prefer undergrowth to exposed ridges. Here are three trails to test in the next downpour. Hunting period requires, they are located in parks to which hunters do not have access.
Grandes Coulées Regional Park
Two sectors make up this park located in Centre-du-Québec: that of the Grande Tourbière de Villeroy, which offers a 3 km circuit, including a wooden footbridge, but we will rather opt for that of the Old Forest, which offers 10 km of interconnected trails along the Black River. The low elevation makes it a course for everyone, even for families. If the rain intensifies, head for the shelter, located 2 km from the parking lot, where you can wait for the end of the downpour and have your lunch. A refuge is also accessible nearby, and you can even spend the night there, as it is equipped to accommodate four people.
Practical information: access is free for hikers and cyclists. Hut rental: $85 per night. Dogs allowed on a leash.
Mont-Orford National Park
In national parks, it is recommended to choose a wide trail, equipped with a good drainage system, in case the sky is threatening. They are generally shorter and located near the Discovery and Visitors Centre, which allows for quicker “repatriation” to take shelter if the rain increases. In Parc national du Mont-Orford, in the Eastern Townships, we therefore opt for the Boucle des Trois-Étangs (5.5 km) which starts at the Discovery Center and is located on a less prone bike path. to be flooded than an area of land. In two hours, the hiker links the viewpoints of the Bear, Cuvette and Martin lakes. If the weather permits — and for a little more challenge — head for the Le Pékan trail, longer (9.4 km) and with more elevation, especially on the hills of Les Pins and the Serpentine, and still accessible from the Discovery Center.
Practical information: the Discovery and Visitors Center is accessible via Orford (Lac-Stukely sector). Entrance fee: $9.25 (free for 17 and under).
Mauricie National Park
With more than 100 km of hiking trails, this federal park located, as its name suggests, in the Mauricie region, is a great place for walking in nature between Quebec and Montreal. For a short but charming outing, we choose the Les Cascades trail, rated easy, a small 2 km loop that starts near the Shewenegan picnic area. It “wet to siaux”? Back to shelter. The clouds are clearing off ? We continue with Les Falaises, a 3.8 km loop that includes three lookouts to prolong the wonder.
Practical information: these trails are accessible via the Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc entrance. Entrance fee: $8.50 (free for 17 and under).
For a successful rainy hike
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, relating to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.