Geographical localization
The region of Charlevoix is located about 75 minutes drive from Québec City. To get there, you take Route 138 along the St. Lawrence River; you will enjoy the wonderful scenery all the way to Baie-Saint-Paul. You will see breathtaking landscape that will make your car ride very attractive. Like on Ile d’Orléans, the river is along this road and the surrounding mountains. If you feel like praying to have your ride in Charlevoix blessed, you may stop in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré where you will find the word famous basilica. With its various landscapes, the route will give you a taste of what you are going to discover in this wonderful region.
History
The region of Charlevoix offers uneven terrain where many villages are set in valleys. It is known to have been shaped by a gigantic meteorite that hit the ground of Charlevoix about 400 million years ago and the village of Baie-Saint-Paul is now located at the bottom of that huge crater.
Winter in Charlevoix
Charlevoix is blessed with large amount of snow, about 600 cm per year. Federated trails cover 500 km and are maintained during 16 to 18 weeks. Snowmobilers take about 48 hours to ride all over this network.
Snowmobile clubs
Six snowmobile clubs take care of the trail circuit in the region of Charlevoix : the Association des motoneigistes de l'Arrière-Pays (Lac-Beauport), the Club de motoneige des Sorciers de l’Île d'Orléans and the Club de motoneige de l'Île-aux-Coudres for the eastern part, the Club auto-neige Les Aventuriers de Charlevoix (La Malbaie). The Club de motoneige Le Petit Sentier (Saint-Émile) and the Club d’auto-neige Le Sapin d'Or take care of the western part of Charlevoix with 375 km of groomed trails that give access to the region of Québec City.
On the trails of Charlevoix
I had the chance to explore this huge territory as soon as I arrived in Charlevoix. I was accompanied for this ride by nobody else but the owner of Aventure Laurentienne, Mr Philippe Benoit. We had agreed to meet at the Hôtel Baie-Saint-Paul where the snowmobile trail leaves in the backyard. By the way, this motel is well suited for snowmobilers and offers a large and safe parking lot.
All day long, I learned the history of Charlevoix from my companion, which allowed me to describe this region in my introduction. The sun was shining over the wide steep territory. To my greatest pleasure, we crisscrossed remote areas, yet reachable by snowmobile. We could see the church towers of the villages located in valleys.
Seigneurie de Beaupré, lands of the Séminaire de Québec
After a short exploration of the region, we headed for the western part of Baie-Saint-Paul to reach the relay Michelieu for lunch. When we crossed this territory of mountains, I thought about the grooming machine operators and I must applaud them! In such surroundings, it must be very hard to operate and they have to be truly fearless.
All the way up, we could see the village of Baie-Saint-Paul, so small, at the bottom of the scarp. From up here, we could see all the region. You have to stop here to take a look at this incredible panorama.
On the lands of the Séminaire filled with lakes, rivers and mountains over 95 km long by 20 km wide, we ride on a lane that is parallel to the St. Lawrence River. What is great is that the owners of the Séminaire allow us to practice our sport of snowmobiling!
At the relay Michelieu located in Saint-Placide on the lands of the Séminaire, I had the chance to meet the owner, Mrs Martine Simard, who told me that her restaurant was open all winter long to let snowmobilers warm up and eat before continuing their trip. The site is surrounded by mountains and it is incredibly crowded. This place is very appreciated by snowmobilers.
After a good meal, we come back to our point of departure and the slope is abrupt, yet very safe because trails are well groomed and marked. Back to the motel, I felt happy with my exploration of this region and I think that all snowmobilers of the province should come here. Nature offers nice surprises with its various landscapes. I thanked my companion and told him my total satisfaction; it has been a magical day. If you wish, you can rent a snowmobile and ride the same circuit I did. You can reach Philippe at [email protected]. He is a truly passionnate.
So, this is my report about my first day in the region of Charlevoix. I will present another article next week, so please follow my adventure. You will discover the trails between the Manoir Richelieu and the Saguenay. Do not miss it! You will be surprised, as my companions had prepared quite a day for me. Untill next time!
