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International Appalachian Trail (Québec)

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” -John Muir


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Trail Stats


  • Distance: ~630km (~390 miles)
  • Elevation gain: ~15K metres (~50k ft)
  • Highest point: 1268 metres (4160 ft)
  • Lowest point: Sea Level
  • Starting point: Matapédia, Canada
  • Finishing point: Cap-Gaspé, Canada
  • Scrambling level: 1/5
  • Bushwalking Level: 1/5

Description


The Appalachian Trail is a well-known long-distance trail that finishes at Mount Katahdin in Maine.
The less known International Appalachian Trail starts from Mt Katahdin and extends to the tip of Gaspésie, Canada (where the Appalachian mountain range meets the sea). The Québec section of this trail is known for being one of the prettiest. It offers a nice mix of mountains, coastal scenery and crosses multiple national parks.

Highlights


  • Quiet: Not many people attempt this hike every year.
  • Mountains and sea: This trail will let you experience both.
  • Lights: In the summer, you will have 15 hours of daylight which is great for hiking.​
  • Well-marked: When you have bushwalked and hiked where there is no trail, it's always relaxing to enjoy a well-marked trail.

Challenges


  • Language: French being the main language in Québec, in some of the small villages English can be minimal.
  • Food: One section of 250km with no food.​
  • Bug: If you are doing the trail early, expect lots of mosquitoes.

When to go


The trail officially opens on June 24th till mid-October, keep in mind that the end of June and part of July is the buggy season (that's also when I decided to do the hike).

Resupplies


There are plenty of towns on the trail or close by for resupplying (except for one long section). Please visit resupply plan for further information.

GPS


IAT Québec website has all the extra information needed for some good planning and they have a page with GPS files. I have also made my own GPS file (with km markers).

My Stats


For reference only, as they say: "Hike your own hike."
  • Distance walked: ~580km (~360 miles) with alternatives
  • Average distance: ~34 km/day (~21 miles)
  • Average climb: ~775 m/day  (~2540 ft)
  • Days on the trail: 17 days
  • Days off the trail: None
  • The number of mosquito bites: Countless!
  • Most water drank in a day (during a heatwave): 8 litres!

Extra Information


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Resupply Plan

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Alternative Routes

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Challenges

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Daily Journal

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Cost Breakdown

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Other & FAQs


Pictures


Where it starts....
Where it starts....
First view point
The Assemetquagan River
View overlooking Lac-au-Saumon
Nature can be so peaceful sometimes
Lac Matapédia
So green!
Sunset
Foggy and rainy morning
It's quite the family we got here.
Chute Helene: Close to where I camped
Sometimes, beauty can be found in small things.
Exposed ridges
Pic de l'Aube: One of the most beautiful view of the trip
Pic de l'Aube: Here it is again
Pic du Brûlé: Looking back at Pic de l'Aube
In the far back, we can see Saint-Laurence Fiord.
Mount Albert: Almost done with the exposed alpine traverse, now heading down in the valley in front.
Mount Jacques-Cartier: Stunning view
Mont-Saint-Pierre: I came from the valley on the left.
Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis: One of my resupply
Grande-Vallée: A cute little coastal town
Sainte-Madeleine-de-la-Rivière-Madeleine: More of the coast
Pointe-à-la-Renommée
Another beautiful part of the trail that follows the water edge.
Peaceful reflection
Sentier les Crêtes: One of the multiple viewpoints
Finally! The long awaited Forillon National Park, the trail ends at the tip.
A lighthouse in the far back
Getting close to my finish line
This picture represents well the beauty of the Gaspésie coast.
This lighthouse is final point of this hike.
For more pictures visit Daily Journal.
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  • Home
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