Nature experiences, Outdoor Activities
By Julie Goulet
Photos credits: © SEPAQ Hugo Lacroix | AIG – Parc national d’Aiguebelle
Parc national d’Aiguebelle is a regional must for hiking lovers. It offers exceptional viewpoints to observe fall flora and wildlife. The park team is actively working to enrich certain sectors to make your visit even more memorable, while offering you the opportunity to discover or rediscover superb trails and enjoy new experiences today. Here’s an insight into this natural gem.
Photo credit: ©Mathieu Dupuis/Parc national d’Aiguebelle SEPAQ
Family-Friendly Trail
The La Castorière Trail is ideal for a family excursion. It offers an enjoyable experience with children and with your dog on a leash. La Castorière owes its name to the large concentration of beaver habitats around the pond. It’s an easy 1 km loop that starts at the Centre de découverte et d’interprétation de Mont-Brun (Mont-Brun Discovery and Interpretation Centre). The trail is made of stone dust and boardwalks, and is suitable for people with restricted physical mobility, wheelchairs and strollers.
Photo credit : © Yan Kaczynski / Sentier le Castorière, parc national d’Aiguebelle SEPAQ
Hikes for moderate adventurers
In the heart of the boreal forest, the La Loutre Trail (formerly known as La Salamandre) is a 4 km round-trip trail featuring sections of trees blown over by the wind. Dogs on leashes are welcome, and this trail is intermediate-level.
In the center of the park, the L’Élan Trail offers a magnificent panoramic view of Lac Patrice and the Abijévis Hills. This 1 km intermediate-level loop is particularly good for observing colours. Leashed dogs are also welcome, and parking is available near Lac Patrice.
Photo credit : ©Mathieu Dupuis | CLD RN
A spectacular crossing
The iconic suspension bridge at Parc national d’Aiguebelle is open once again following extensive restoration work completed in 2025. Suspended 22 metres above Lac La Haie, it offers striking views of this fault lake and its rocky cliffs. To cross it, follow the La Traverse Trail, a 3.5-kilometre intermediate-level loop that also introduces you to the park’s geological history and remarkable natural features. Allow approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes for this hike, which starts at the Lac La Haie parking lot. If your dog isn’t afraid of heights, it is also allowed on this trail, provided it is kept on a leash. A hike that combines discovery with the thrill of walking high above the water!
Photo credit : © Yan Kaczynski SEPAQ | AIG – Parc national d’Aiguebelle
For experienced hikers
The L’Escalade and Mont-Dominant Trails, with their high vantage points, are ideal for admiring the colors and the landscape. L’Escalade (climbing), a challenging 2 km round trip, leads to the summit of La Trompeuse Hill (the cheater). Departure is from the Lac La Haie parking lot, and leashed dogs are allowed. Mont-Dominant, one of Abitibi-Témiscamingue’s highest peaks, offers breathtaking views and a good-length hike. The round trip is 8 km long and difficult, with a parking lot sporting the same name. Dogs on a leash are allowed on the Mont-Dominant Trail.
Photo credit: David Picard / Contest Randonnées d’automne VRN 2025
A little bird tells us that the L’Aventurier Trail is simply delightful at any time. A challenging 9.5 km loop circles Lac La Haie on rocky escarpments. Plan on a half-day outing. Parking is available at La Haie Lake. This trail can also lead to the Les Versants (The slopes) trails but is only accessible from Lac La Haie by canoe or on foot via the L’Aventurier Trail (the adventurer).
In the footsteps of the fire wardens
The Le Garde-Feu Trail combines nature and history on a 2-kilometre round-trip hike of intermediate-level difficulty. As you climb, interpretive panels tell the story of the fire wardens—the men who once scanned the horizon for signs of forest fires. The trail leads to a replica of the original lookout tower, a reminder of their work. Allow approximately one hour for this hike, which has an elevation gain of 110 metres and starts at the Le Garde-feu parking lot, accessible via Route 24. Dogs on a leash are also allowed on this trail.
Photo credit : ©Mathieu Dupuis | Parc national d’Aiguebelle SEPAQ
Getting to the Park
To get to parc national d’Aiguebelle from Rouyn-Noranda, take boulevard Saguenay, then Route 101 North to the D’Alembert district. From there, turn right onto Route d’Aiguebelle and continue toward Mont-Brun, passing through Cléricy. At the intersection of Route de Mont-Brun, turn left, then drive through the village. At the bridge, turn right to continue Route d’Aiguebelle until you reach the park entrance, located about 8 km from the village.
Along the way, the agricultural landscapes of our rural communities set the tone for this nature getaway. The stresses of everyday life gradually fade away. The adventure begins long before you even arrive at the park!
For all the latest news from Parc national d’Aiguebelle, follow the park’s Facebook page and website!
*Some trails may be closed without notice. Before heading out, contact Aiguebelle National Park at 819-637-7322 or by email at parc.aiguebelle@sepaq.com to check trail conditions and any current closures.
Translation review, all our thanks to Jessica Nesteruk, Neighbours Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
Dernière modification par Julie Goulet le 23 septembre 2026
