Offering over 6000 km (3900 mi.) of marked and well-groomed trails as well as breathtaking scenery, the maritime regions of Québec delight both local and visiting snowmobilers in the winter. Are you curious to know what local snowmobile enthusiasts recommend you discover while snowmobiling in our regions? We asked three of them to share their recommendations with us.

Bas-Saint-Laurent

Denis Langevin from Rimouski

Trans-Québec trail #35 (TQ35) will take you across the whole region of Bas-Saint-Laurent in a southwest to northeast direction along a former railway track. Along the way, you’ll come across the Explorateurs de Mont-Bleu snowmobile club in Pohénégamook. You can also ride a little further on the same trail and stop to rest and refuel at the Chevaliers des Frontières snowmobile club in Saint-Elzéar-de-Témiscouata, which is famous for its unique curved roof. TQ35 meanders through the Notre-Dame Mountains, mainly in wooded areas, which makes for exceptional trail conditions. White-tailed deer can be spotted in the section along the Rimouski River, so keep your eyes peeled! Finally, as you arrive in Rimouski, you can admire an exceptional view of the city and the St. Lawrence Estuary.

Would you prefer to ride off the beaten track along the water? From Trans-Québec trail #5 (TQ5) between Sainte-Hélène-de-Kamouraska and Rivière-du-Loup, follow regional trail #559 to a local trail that runs along the coast and offers an amazing view of the north shore. From the Les Pistolets snowmobile club in Trois-Pistoles, the section of TQ5 that runs under the power lines is also particularly popular with snowmobilers in the region.

Gaspésie

Joël Lebreux from Petite-Vallée

The ride from Petite-Vallée to Mont-Saint-Pierre, which is about 100 km (60 mi.) long, is best done on a sunny day in the morning, so you can take full advantage of the sunlight. Between each of the villages you’ll pass on TQ5, you’ll find high, open peaks that offer breathtaking views of the McGerrigle Mountains. The further west you ride, the taller and whiter the mountains will grow. As you round a bend in the trail between Grande-Vallée and Sainte-Madeleine-de-la-Rivière-Madeleine, they’ll suddenly rise above you, and their immensity and purity will leave you speechless!

The rides down into the valleys in Mont-Saint-Pierre and Mont-Louis are not to be missed. Nature and time have sculpted these two beautiful valleys. Whether you’re coming from the east or west, slow down and take the time to soak up these unique landscapes. In my humble opinion, the glacial valley of Mont-Saint-Pierre is a real jewel, the highlight of your snowmobile expedition in Gaspésie. The great advantage for snowmobilers is that they can approach it from above. Glacier-scoured mountains, a valley that blends into the sea… there’s nothing like it! The ride into Mont-Louis from the west is also quite a sight. From the top of the mountain, you’re in for an amazing view: to the south, the Appalachians visible as far as Murdochville and beyond; to the east, the valley and colourful village of Mont-Louis; and finally, to the north, the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The entire ride down offers an unobstructed and incredible view!

Côte-Nord

Yanick Laforge from Sept-Îles

From Trans-Québec trail #3 (TQ3) in the Sept-Îles area, you can branch off onto a local trail that will take you to the Lac Daigle lookout. From there, you can admire a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, frozen Sept Îles Bay and the ships waiting to be loaded in the port. This view is even more magnificent at dusk, when the illuminated city basks in the rosy hues of the setting sun!

You should know that snowmobiling is more than a recreational activity in Côte-Nord, it’s a way of life! Many locals ride their snowmobiles to work or use them to transport gear or supplies, such as when they’re headed to their cottages, for example. Visiting this region by snowmobile is a unique experience since you’ll meet people who have snowmobiling in their blood everywhere you go: on the trails, in lodging establishments, in restaurants, etc. Don’t hesitate to ask them to recommend new areas for you to explore!

Have these recommendations inspired you to add trails or destinations to your itinerary? Start planning your snowmobile trip in the maritime regions of Québec today!