The Abitibi-Témiscamingue area is known for its vast territory, a hiker’s playground and a field of opportunity for the outdoor lovers. Many must-see trails are famous even beyond our frontiers, like the La Traverse trail in the Parc National d’Aiguebelle (Aiguebelle’s National Park), the one with the suspension bridge, the Kékéko Hills trails (which reward you with lakes at the top of the hike) or the Sentiers Pédestres du Grand Héron (Grand Héron’s Hiking Trails) where you can admire these majestic birds. However, these options are only the tip of the iceberg (she says waving her finger in the air with a teacher’s flair)! Among the 51 listed trails by Access to Outdoors, here are a few unknown hikes that will indubitably give you the urge to lace up your boots to go see some land. Neophytes, experts, as a family trip or solo, there is an option for every hiker’s profile. Because in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, we love to exit the path most traveled.
The mythical Montagne à Fred (Fred’s Mountain), does it ring a bell?
Who is this Fred and why would he have a mountain in Abitibi-Ouest (Abitibi-West)? No idea. What I do know is that this mountain is covered with nice hiking trails and, more precisely, the one climbing up the South-Western slope because it leads you near an impressively large rock river.
A young wooden area covers an important part of the mountain, thus the forest is very luminous and sparse. Many rock formations garnish the landscape as well. The municipalities of La Sarre, of Palmarolle and the famous Lac Abitibi (Abitibi Lake) are all part of the view at the top of this clay plain.
Urban hike in Témiscaming
The circuit de conduites forcées (pressure pipes) is a well kept secret of the Témiscaming inhabitants. Poor mortals aren’t we to be so ignorant of these unique facilities, may we not remain in the dark! Discover this urban trail traced through huge concrete pipes formerly used for water transport from the Lumsden dam, the water required for the activities of the Kipawa hydroelectric plant, on the Lac Témiscaminque (Témiscamingue Lake). You will understand that there is no water anymore and that the space reserved for our precious “or bleue” (blue gold) is where the hikers travel. Along the pathway, an interpretive circuit reminds us of the history and the past use of the facilities.
Picnic over a cascade soundtrack
Its diverse landscapes will revive your flame of love for Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Where is this promise of a hike during which you cannot not enjoy a little picnic time besides the small cascades awaiting visitors from across a path of adventure? It’s in Rochebaucourt, in the sector of Amos-Harricana. On top of discovering this trail, you will probably also get to know this village. The Rivière La Flamme (La Flamme River), (indeed, nothing is random), crisscrosses the 2.4km long hiking path. Well, that’s an expedition outside of the path most traveled… or almost! (How many repetitions of this joke is too many repetitions?)
Forêt récréative of Val d'Or © Christian Leduc
A path for every liking
Mountain bikes, fatbikes, rollerblades, hiking, adventure circuit; the Forêt Récréative in the Vallée-de-l’Or, offers many available occasions for sport activities, in the Summer, as in the Winter. You might say: “Come on, EVERYONE knows the Forêt Récréative, what does it have to do with the theme of this article?” Patience, friends, here is why it is worthy of mention.
What is lesser known from the public is the Sentier Asphalté Agnico Eagle (Agnico Eagle Asphalt Path), accessible for everyone, even for people with reduced mobility or living with a visual handicap (also, an abundance of blueberries grow beside the pathway! Mium!).
Another universally accessible trail is La Castorière, at the Parc National d’Aiguebelle (d’Aiguebelle National Park). This one is composed of rock dust and wooden sidewalks. Every nature lovers’ profile can enjoy our beautiful region safely.
Hiking with the family, near the Beauchastel Lake
The Randonne-Rit, near the Beauchastel Lake, on the territory of Rouyn-Noranda, is the ideal place for a day in the outdoors with the kids and even Fido! In the hiking jargon, there are the terms “linear” and “loop”, and the former is used for a trail that is hiked forth then back, and the latter describes trails that do not make you go back where you are from. The Randonne-Rit has many loop trails. These options are perfect for a day out with the kids because we can add loops depending on their energy level, and the parents’! There is even a theme park with modules where to play and two belvederes if there is still fuel in their tank. Don’t we love it when they sleep in the car on the way back home?
When it comes to hiking trails, there are plenty for everyone in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, check our Top 12! Our land transforms into a playground in the eyes of who chooses the path to its discovery. So, if you wish to “flash” your outdoors pictures on Instagram, or to work out your calves, to burn the tank of your energetic offspring, or simply to breathe through the nose at your own pace, becoming a forest explorer for a few kilometers is right within your reach. Put on your cargo pants (the ones you can transform into shorts), grab your field-glass and go play outside!
The must-see website accesstooutdoors.org is another practical tool to help you choose your hiking experience, including all the information shared in this article.
