The best walks and hikes around Shannon

Vélopiste Jacques-Cartier / Portneuf is a 68-kilometre multi-use rail trail built along a former railway corridor, linking Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier to Rivière-à-Pierre, passing through forest and along rivers, lakes, and small communities northwest of Québec City. The Shannon to Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier section follows one of the trail’s quieter stretches, passing through picturesque wooded landscapes and open views near the Jacques-Cartier River on a gentle, crushed-stone surface that's ideal for cycling and walking. Connected to Québec City via the Corridor des Cheminots, the route combines easy grades with peaceful scenery and access to nearby outdoor recreation, making it one of the region’s most popular long-distance trails.

Fossambault-sur-le-Lac sits on the southeastern shore of Lac Saint-Joseph, about 30 kilometres northwest of Québec City, known for its lakeside setting, forested surroundings, and long history as a vacation destination. Originally developed as a resort community in the early 1900s, the town grew around summer homes and tourism, with much of its character still shaped by the lake and natural landscape. Today, visitors come for its beaches, boating, and quiet residential streets framed by mature trees, making it a peaceful place to stop along the Vélopiste Jacques-Cartier / Portneuf route. From this spot, it’s a short trek into the small, charming town, or you can take a break here at Fernand Lucchesi Park, nestled right along the trail and Rue Gingras.

The Great Jacques Cartier Peat Bog is a vast wetland complex covering roughly 6.6 square kilometres across Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, Fossambault-sur-le-Lac, and Shannon, just east of Lac Saint-Joseph. It’s one of the last large peat bogs in the Capitale-Nationale region to remain largely undisturbed. There are wooded areas, open bog pools, marshes, and rare wetland habitats that support diverse plant and wildlife species. The peatland also plays an important ecological role by storing carbon, filtering water, and helping regulate water flow within the surrounding watershed.

The Jacques-Cartier River Bridge is a former railway bridge near Shannon that crosses high above the Jacques-Cartier River, originally serving the rail line between Québec City and Lac-Saint-Jean. It now carries Vélopiste Jacques-Cartier / Portneuf users across the steep, forested valley, with beautiful views over the river corridor below, and is one of the more recognizable remains of the region’s railway history.

Nestled in the heart of the trails of the Station touristique Duchesnay, the charming Lac Jaune is a haven of peace ideal for a relaxing break by the water. It is an essential stop on the network to appreciate the tranquility and beauty of the surrounding boreal forest.

Parc naturel du Mont-Bélair is a large protected green space comprised of forests, wetlands, hills, and lakes. The park encompasses Mont-Bélair, which rises to an elevation of 485 metres. There is a well-maintained network of hiking trails, including flat marsh boardwalks and climbs through the woods. This park can be enjoyed year-round, open from 9 am to 6 pm, and is great for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing when snow is on the ground in winter.

Lac Boivin sits in the middle of Mont-Bélair Natural Park, surrounded by trails Piste A, B, and C. There are a few benches for resting and enjoying the water, forests, and wildlife, including birds, frogs, and small mammals.

The Observatoire Mont-Bélair is an observation tower offering beautiful views of the wetlands of Mont-Bélair Natural Park. It sits at the end of Piste A Trail, where marsh boardwalks lead to this wooden structure, perfect for an overhead view of birds and marsh animals.