Sentier de l'Acropole-des-Draveurs – Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park

Steep cliffs jut out of the deeply carved valley on either side of the Malbaie river in the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park. Although the name is very long, it describes the landscape perfectly: National Park of the Deep Gorges of the Malbaie. To take in the beauty of the area, you need a good vantage point, and that's exactly what you get on the Acropole-des-Draveurs hike. The Tour is challenging so you’ll need to be in good physical shape. You’ll also need some good hiking boots for tackling the ascents.

The hike starts near Pin Blanc campsite in the centre of the Charlevoix biosphere reserve. The vegetation is wonderfully varied, and the hike leads through deciduous forest, mixed forest, all the way up to alpine tundra and boreal forest. The three peaks come one after the other, giving you ample time to fully savour the panoramic views of the valley and the mountains. Take some spare warm clothes because it can get chilly at the top.

The route is usually accessible between the second Friday in June and the Monday of Thanksgiving weekend but this can change depending on the weather and the trail conditions. You’ll need to start your descent from the summit at least three hours before sunset. The national park is located in the Charlevoix hinterland, around 170 kilometres (106 mi) from the city of Québec via Route 138. The entrance fee to the park is around ten Canadian dollars.