We are taking a slow drive from Quebec City around the Gaspe and back to Quebec. I have gotten as far as Saint Anne des Monts and see the hotel there. It is quite expensive and just wondered how many days we need to stay there and see the mountains and park before going into Gaspe. Thanks so much.

If you're an avid hiker, you could spend a week. Otherwise, a day or two at the park is plenty. These aren't spectacular mountains you can see from the road. You have to work a little.

Two easy walks:
1- Mont Ernest-Laforce gives an overall view of the park. Best seen in the morning for the view over Mount Albert and a better chance of seeing moose.

2- Lac aux Américains. Even easier. Best seen in the evening. There's a small gazeibo if you want to bring lunch. A must.

If you're into more serious hiking:
1- Mont Albert is easily the best trail in all Québec. It's 17km long with a steep and boring ascent but a formidable plateau and long descent in a unique landscape. You might see cariboos. There's a sign a the top saying it's easier to backtrack than continue but that means the missing the best part of the park!

2- Mont Xalibu has, in my opinion, the best wow/effort ratio. A good climb but you quickly emerge above the tree line. Lac aux Américains is part of that trail.

3- Mont Jacques-Cartier is the highest mountain in southern Quebec but it's not that spectacular by itself. The real attraction is cariboo. If you'Re interested, I suggest taking the shuttle from the visitor center instead of driving the 40km of gravel road. The shuttle only comes back in the evening though. Make sure the naturalist is behind you so you don't miss the bus!

4- Mont Olivine is not too hard but the hike itself is not great. It does have the best view on Mount Albert. Best in the morning.

The park has cabins. I'm not sure of the cost and what is supplied (not sure there's bedding). See sepaq.com for info.

I drove around the Gaspè a while back. I suggest you look at the distances and then figure on slow driving.
I did not allow enough time for our trip. We tried to drive from Ste-Anne-du- Mont on the north shore to New Carlile on the South Shore in one day.

In retrospect, I should have allowed another 6 to 8 hours at least. An additional night would have been beneficial.

This information is great! We are driving around the Gaspe this summer, and I am anxious to hear more.

We found that very little English was spoken on the Gaspé until you reach the south shore where pockets of English speakers exist in places like New Carlisle and New Richmond.

We went in mid September and many of the tourist sights were closed.

The highway goes through every small town, and often there were steep hills to negotiate, some at grades of 17%.

If you know a few words of French, I think you would find it helpful.

We wanted some ice for our little ice chest, but we lacked the language skills to get it. I ran back to the car and got out what was left of a bag of ice cubes we had bought when we entered Canada.
It was "bilingual" and I could recognize that "glaçon" or "cube de glace" would do it.

When I bought gas, it was a good thing I wanted a full tank because I had no way to request anything less. I suppose trente litre would have done it, but I needed gas anyhow. Also, I have learned a few more words of French since then, but not nearly enough.

Take a look at this site and order some brochures and/or booklets to take with you. http://www.tourismegaspe.org/?id=16

I love Gaspe. My grandfather's family is from there so I spent quite a few summers there. We would usually drive from Montreal to Matane (which is about a 100km before Ste-Anne-des-Months) on one day, sleep there for a night and drive to Gaspe the next day.

You can easily find small B&Bs that aren't quite expensive. Make sure you reserve ahead as they can get quite full in the summer.

As for how many days, you need, it's up to you. I've never spent more than a day or two in a row in that area but if you enjoy outdoors, I'm sure you could spend more there.

We are also planning a drive around the Gaspe the second week of Sept 2008. We're thinking of leaving Quebec City early in the morning, circling the Gaspe in 4-5 days (4 nights) and returning to Quebec City for the 5th night. On returning from the south side (Baie des Chaleurs) to the north side (St Lawrence Seaway) is it more interesting to drive Hwy 132, or go up Hwy 299--cutting thru the middle of the Gaspe? We see many small towns on Hwy 132, but wonder if Hwy 299 is more scenic, possibly driving thru the Chic-Choc mountains. Thanks for any help with this trip!

I like the 132 much better. If my memory is correct, it is right next to the water and the scenery is breathtaking. I don't like we ever went the whole way on the 299 as we always go straight for Perce and Gaspe where the family is. That area really can't be missed!

Hi KJoann,

Depends on what you like. Not much to see on the 299 except for wilderness, the beautiful Cascapedia river and trees, trees and more trees You start seeing more mountains only when you get closer to the parc de la Gaspésie (Chic-Chocs). I personally like it, but coming back that way you would miss all the nice towns on the 132 between New Richmond and Mont-Joli (and the 132 follows a nice river as well at some point, the Matapedia river).

If you don't go back the 299 way though, make sure to see the Parc de la Gaspesie - it's only 30 some kms from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts and definitely worth the visit if you like hiking and beautiful mountain scenery.

Thanks so much! Good info! We'll do the 132 all the way. One more question--after leaving Quebec City in the morning, any opinions on what towns to stay the next 4 nights on the Gaspe Penn? We're thinking possibly Sainte-Anne-des Monts and Perce look good (we'll certainly try to get in some hiking at one or both of the National Parks located near them). Any favorite towns or other ideas?

You could do both...

My favorite would be Perce. Coming from Quebec City, it's not too bad of a drive (it's kinda long from Montreal though, we never stay there on the first night). I believe it's about 10 hours from Quebec City if you take the 132. Ste-Anne-des-Monts is probably 6 or 7.

Walking around Perce is fun although the city is quite more touristy than Ste-Anne, so beware if you don't really like that kind of place (I mean, it's nothing compared to other cities in Europe, but still more than your average little town).

What time are you traveling? Maybe take a boat trip. I remember plenty of companies offering some in Perce. A day to the Ile d'Anticosti would probably be great. It's about 20kms by boat and great for hiking. I've never done it, but heard great things from it. Also, consider the Forillon Park. We went a while ago. I'm not totally a fan of the place because some of my family were forced to sell their house located on that propriety when the government bought the land, but it is great for hiking and I believe there is a couple of little museums and houses to visit.

I really hope this helps!

I'm actually really excited because my grandfather wants to go visit the family this summer but my grandmother won't let him drive because, well, he's getting pretty old and she's scared that he'll fall asleep or something. So I suggested that I can tag along and drive instead.