6 Things To Do In Lanaudière Québec

During a recent getaway to Trois-Rivières, Quebec, we had the opportunity to visit the Lanaudiere area. Located between the Laurentian Mountains and the Saint Lawrence River, many refer to Lanaudière as “the green region,” and for good reason! With outdoor activities available in all four seasons, it’s the perfect location for any outdoor lover or adventurer to explore.

Don’t believe us? Here are 6 things to do in Lanaudière Québec that may inspire your next road trip:  

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Enjoy Some of the Best Hikes in Québec

This nature-focused region is home to more than 650 km of trails to explore, including mountain biking trails, casual walking trails, and more challenging hikes for those who wish to challenge themselves. There are options for every skill level. Whether you’re staying in the Lanaudiere region or looking for the best hiking near Montréal, here are a few trails that we recommend you explore:  

• Magnificent Falls is a 17km trail. However, it offers three entry points depending on your location, and the terrain is rated easy. There are three beautiful waterfalls to see along the trail, as well as the L’Assomption River. The entry points include Sainte-Béatrix, Sainte-Mélanie, and Saint-Jean-de-Matha.
• Mount Ouareau Summit is a 5km round trip rated intermediate difficulty, but the inclines on the trail may make it challenging for some. However, if you power through, the views from the top of Mont-Ouareau are breathtaking and well worth the effort!
• Swaggin Trail is an 8km intermediate-level trail that starts at Chemin du Lac Clair and will take you to a beautiful lookout point on the top of the Montagne du Tranchant, overlooking Lac Clair.
• Intercentre Trail is a 35-year-old section of the National Trail that extends through the Lanaudière and Laurentides regions. The trail will bring you to the highest summer in Saint-Donat, at 875m. You will also discover the location of the 1943 crash of an RCAF Liberator aircraft at the top of the Montagne Noire. But, be warned, this 13km round-trip trail is rated as difficult and may not be suitable for newer hikers. 

Visit the Distillerie Grand Dérangement

If you are interested in history, you may want to visit the Distillerie Grand Dérangement (44 Rue Marcel-Lépine, Saint-Jacques). This was the first organic distillery to be constructed in the Lanaudière region. It’s also the first distillery to be established in the area since the famous The Melchers Gin & Spirits Distillery Co. disappeared after reigning as the go-to location for over a hundred years.

Distillerie Grand Dérangement is considered a micro-distillery, but don’t let that label downplay the large production capacity that the location is capable of. You can visit the tasting room to discover their famous SAGA gin and Petite eau, their new vodka. This is also an excellent opportunity to learn about the distillery process, the history of the location, and a little local history as well.

We had the opportunity to interview the owner, Marcel Mailhot, during our visit. It was fascinating learning about the inspiration for and creation of the distillery through his eyes.

Lanaudière Québec: Grab a Bite to Eat at Brasserie Artisanale Albion

Another great place to stop for a drink or a bite to eat is the Brasserie Artisanale Albion (408 Boulevard Manseau, Joliette). This historic craft brewery in the Lanaudière region offers a European feel right in the heart of Québec.

The kitchen offers many European classics with a fun Québec inspired twist. We stopped here for lunch and had the opportunity to taste some of the options off the menu, all of which were well worth making the trip!

If you are a beer lover, they offer an assortment of traditional and specialty beers to enjoy on-site with your meal or to purchase and take with you. 

Explore Lanaudière by Quad

In addition to the many hiking trails the region offers, Lanaudière has 1085 km of summer and 971 km of winter trails to explore. This is a fun way to view the beautiful scenery of the “green region” without the physical demands of hiking. If you are new to ATVing or don’t want to transport your ATV to the area, there are several opportunities to rent a vehicle for the day.

Many of these trails will take you to local restaurants and shops, making it even easier to plan out an entire day discovering the many wonders this region offers.

Make a Trip to Mont-Tremblant National Park

Of course, we can’t share things to do in Lanaudière without mentioning the stunning and well-known Mont-Tremblant National Park. Created in 1895, this national park is a beacon for outdoor travellers across the country, with 6 rivers, 400 lakes, and an assortment of streams and waterfalls to enjoy.

The park is open all year round, providing opportunities for outdoor adventures every season, ranging from hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and camping in the summer to snowshoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling in the winter. Experienced and well-equipped campers may even wish to enjoy a winter camping at Mont-Tremblant National Park.

There are cottage rentals, yurt rentals, and equipment rentals available for those interested in outdoor travel for the first time or travellers who would prefer to pack a little lighter for their trip. You can also request a guide to show you the area and share their vast knowledge. 

Spend the Night in a 4-Season Dome

If you’re interested in camping in Lanaudière to get the full nature experience but aren’t sure that you want to give up the comforts of home, Expérience Equinox (1500 Chemin du Lac Castor, Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci) may have the perfect solution.

They offer immersive 4-season accommodations where you stay in a fully equipped dome in the heart of nature. This is where we stayed during our trip, and it was absolutely stunning! You can enjoy the feeling of camping and being outdoors without giving up the many perks a hotel offers, including full high-speed WIFI access, a full kitchen, a propane fireplace, and more.  You can also access a private jacuzzi and a paddleboard to enjoy on the lake.

Owners Myriam Baribeau and her husband Pier-Luc built everything on-site by hand except the electricity and plumbing, giving it a personal and meaningful touch. We loved the experience and can’t recommend it enough.

If you would prefer to stay in standard accommodations, here are a few hotels in Lanaudière for you to consider:

• Auberge La Glacière (Saint-Zénon, QC)
• Camp Taureau (Saint-Michel-des-Saints, QC)
• Estonia Hébergement Nature (Rawdon, QC)
• Hôtel Château Joliette (Joliette, QC)
• Le Petit St-André (Terrebonne, QC)

Plan Your Next Trip to Explore the Many Things to Do in Lanaudière

Outdoor adventure lovers searching for the perfect location for their next weekend getaway, look no further than the Lanaudière region of Quebec. Here in “the green region,” you will discover a wide variety of activities, ranging from rustic camping and exploring the many hiking trails to glamping in a 4-season dome and visiting the local distilleries.

We look forward to exploring this area again in the near future. After all, there is so much to see and explore that it would be impossible to see and do it all in a single weekend. But we do know that Lanaudière is sure to offer all the best options for whatever style of weekend getaway you prefer!