Sentier Les Cascades – La Mauricie National Park

This Tour explores the waters of La Mauricie National Park. You’ll walk along the river, admire the beautiful reflections in the lake and listen to the soothing sound of the waterfall, the trail’s namesake. There’s a huge network of hiking trails in La Mauricie, some of which lead deep into the forest, or to different viewpoints along Lake Wapizagonke. You can also cycle and go canoeing in the park.

The hike starts in the car park next to the Shewenegan picnic area, then heads towards a viewpoint on the long Wapizagonke Lake. Wapizagonke Lake was a major road and food source for the Atikamekw people, and the region has been their home for thousands of years. Wapizagonke is the word for a rare species of duck, but there are many other animals to observe along its waters.

Next, you’ll head towards the waterfall, hearing the torrents long before you see the beautiful cascade. Continuing along the trail, you’ll follow a wooden walkway along the riverbank amidst the towering trees of the forest.

Mauricie National Park is just north of the city of Trois-Rivières, halfway between Montréal and Québec. It takes less than two hours to get to the park from Québec by car, and just a little longer from Montréal. Entry to the national park costs around ten Canadian dollars.