You can choose from (in alpha- betical order; they’re all good ac- cording to customers I’ve talked to)
Esprit Rafting
www.whitewater.ca; Owl Rafting
www.owl-mkc.ca; River Run
www.riverrunners.com; and nearby Wilderness Tours
www.wildernesstours.com/. Each of- fers single-day adventures or multi- day trips. There are family-friendly trips for children who’ll get wet but not scared. Really little kids are not
Gatineau Park trails
Hikers with a penchant for vertical
reality will love the great views and steep climbs along Gatineau Park’s Skyline or Wolf Trails. Skyline is about six kilometres with
steep climbs, and history – it was the first designated trail after the cre- ation of the Park in 1938. Starting at the Penguin picnic area, it ascends to great vistas and a clearly marked loop along well packed twists and turns. The route ends with a relaxing downhill and you can top it off with ice cream in Old Chelsea. Wolf Trail is eight kilometres of
steep climbs for hikers and a chal- lenging run for joggers. Highlights in- clude a creek crossing, a beaver pond, a gentle stroll beside farm ruins and a picnic indoors at Western Cabin if you want. It’s designated hikers-only, not mountain bikes, but some bikers stray, so keep your head up. Park at P13 by Blanchet Beach. You’ll have to pay for parking starting mid-June. Enthusiastic kids could handle
both trails but the smallest hikers will probably need a piggyback part of the way. Download the Gatineau Park summer hiking trail map at www.
canadascapital.gc.ca/data/2/rec_ docs/3414_SummerTrailMap.pdf/.
Ottawa River whitewater
Rafting down the Ottawa River is
available just an hour’s drive upriver, with guides on hand to take you for the ride of a lifetime.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Forillon National Park of Canada (Gaspésie) Îles de la Madeleine
A vacation destination to see and feel!
Do you enjoy cycling while on vacation? Discover the many cycling possibilities available throughout the maritime regions of Québec.
Plan your vacation online:
www.seeandfeel.ca/cycle
La Pocatière (Bas-Saint-Laurent) Cap-des-Rosiers (Gaspésie)
allowed on board, but there’s plenty of fun for them ashore. Rafting is not cheap, but the thrills
are worth the price – they vary, so check the websites. The Ottawa River has outstanding rapids but you don’t need to be an ace paddler – guides teach basic strokes, call out commands, and steer the boat. You can book a campsite for a weekend too, and enjoy great food at restau- rants on the sites. «oo
ottawaoutdoors 19
Photos: M. Bonato/Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine, S. Larose, M. Pilar/Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent, J.-G. Béliveau
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48