PARC NATIONAL DU MONT-MÉGANTIC
DISCOVERY GUIDE WELCOME TO THE PARK
A nature-experience of international calibre at the heart of the first Dark Sky Reserve in the world! LUNA MOTH
A unique shape, intense climate and amazing star-filled sky all come together to make Parc national du Mont-Mégantic an exceptional site. With its beautiful emerald wings and It’s a place where a sense of vastness is ever present: in the forests and on feathery antennae, this flamboyant member the landscapes, and through time and space. Created to preserve an area of the Saturniidae family and the Park’s representative of border mountains, the park is characterized by numerous symbol, is undoubtedly one of the most vocations that help protect its exceptional ecosystems and is home to mountain flamboyant moths. The Luna Moth is usually trails, astronomical observatories, a museum and religious sanctuary. It also lies found in the trees of deciduous forests in at the heart of the first International Dark Sky Reserve whose pioneering work southern Québec and has a mysterious serves to protect an endangered natural heritage. A conservation mission that aversion to all forms of pollution and is extends from Earth to the Stars! vulnerable to light pollution. It reproduces We hope you enjoy your discoveries! shortly after cocoons hatch in mid-May. Since it lives only a few days, this nocturnal moth does not feed, and males die soon Discover more at sepaq.com/montmegantic after mating.
Dogs are allowed at Parc national du SUPERVISED ACCESS Mont-Mégantic in certain designated All details at sepaq.com/animals FOR DOGS areas and over a defined period of time.
MAIN RULES* AUTHORIZED PLACES • Dogs must remain in the places where they are authorized at all times. Summer trail Le Mont-Mégantic • Dogs must be kept on a leash and under surveillance at all times. • The person in charge of the dog must pick up the animal’s excrement without delay. Camping No authorized access • Barking or howling dogs as well as dogs affecting the tranquility and safety of other visitors are not allowed. Picnic area Picnic area of Des Randonneurs pavilion
*Individuals who fail to comply with any of the rules stated above may be required to Nautical access point No authorized access leave the area and/or issued a statement of offence, where appropriate. Compliance with the regulations is essential, and the offer could Winter trail No authorized access be reviewed if non-compliance is noted.
Québec’s national parks offer a one-of-a-kind experience. Explore this exceptional world of nature with the Annual Québec National ANNUAL QUÉBEC Parks Card, featuring: NATIONAL PARKS Unlimited access to ALL national parks for 12 full months CARD Many exclusive benefits, including a free night of camping Details at sepaq.com/parkscard
2 MUST-DOS
DAYTIME VISIT OF THE ASTROLAB AND THE ASTRONOMY EVENINGS OBSERVATORY – NEW At the heart of the first International Dark Sky Reserve, the ASTROLab Discover new activities when you visit the ASTROLab in afternoon: and the Popular Observatory will guide you to the borders of the new movie Emergence: Cosmic Evolution, new 4K projection system, Universe, every summer evenings! With a multitude of telescopes new Virtual Reality experience in the Solar System! Pursue your visit operated by passionate presenters, the sky will no longer have any at the Mount Megantic Observatory, located at the top of the mountain, secrets, an unforgettable experience! SEE SCHEDULE ON WEBSITE for explanation on its operation as well as the work and research accomplished by the astronomers. SEE SCHEDULE ON WEBSITE
BORÉALE TRAIL ESCARPEMENTS TRAIL Once atop Mount Saint-Joseph (by foot or by car), discover a summit This 6.7 km loop, situated in the Franceville sector, opens on new path in a boreal type climate. The viewpoint called Pic des Crépuscules landscapes and never seen before rocky caps of the massif: numerous allows you to contemplate the inner circular mountain. Take a break at cliffs, rocks overviews, luxuriant lichens, vertiginous points of view. The the new hut! Pain-de-Sucre hill will reveal itself in its entire splendor.
SNOWSHOEING AND CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING TORCHLIGHT AND ASTRONOMY WINTER The Parc National du Mont-Mégantic is renowned for its exceptional PACKAGE quantity of snow. Come discover an all-white mountain as you To top off a memorable day of outdoor activities, enjoy a snowshoe cross-country ski or snowshoe surrounded by white trees as far as outing by moonlight and torches and an evening of stargazing at the you can see. ASTROLab every Saturday nights during winter. To learn about the celestial movements and to travel inside our Universe! 3 PINGUALUIT
UURUR UA
Sommet du Mont Mégantic To Scotstown Chemin de Franceville DISCOVER OUR TRAILS THE LARGEST NATURE AND Franceville Sector Visitors Centre Pic de l'Aurore Porte du Ciel (840 m) DEGREE OF OBSERVATORY SECTOR COURSES LENGTH AND DURATION* OUTDOOR NETWORK IN QUÉBEC L BR D R (765 m) DIFFICULTY To Col
Repos Chemin Saint-Léon Observatoire du La Voie-Lactée 0,8 Sépaq has the privilege of developing territories of incredible richness. (1085 m) du Dragon Le Parcours du Soleil – Short hike with great reward: beautiful view on the surrounding Mont-Mégantic (595 m) 3.1 km / loop 1 h 30 - 2 h 30 E Cabin Réserve écologique Val-Racine mountains. Discover a sugar maple/yellow birch forest. Go on a lunar nuggets hunt! Among them, 24 national parks stand out as unique. These are protected areas that Site 1,4 To es Samuel-Brisson belong to all Quebecers and that provide lasting memories for visitors who proudly base 0,1 Cim 3,2 La Promenade Boréale – Short hike at high altitude between Mount St-Joseph’s summit Halte des 1,1 s 2.4 km e and Pic des Crépuscules viewpoint. Discover a high altitude forest of common wood and 45 min E make such exceptional destinations their own. Observatoire populaire Galets d round trip (450 m) er sorrel fir and amazing scenery. Résidence du Mont-Mégantic 1,1 0,9 nti allée Se la V 2,4 des astronomes de Le Mont-Saint-Joseph – Discovery loop focussing on forest transition and on the history (Accès interdit) Promenade te 9.8 km / loop 3 h - 5 h I 0,1 is La Traversée Discover all our destinations at sepaq.com du Ruisseau 0,1 P of colonization of the region. Elevation of 1 065 m, to Pic des Crépuscules. 2,8 0,1 Le Mont-Mégantic – Discovery loop focussing on forest transition. Highest summit in 0,9 11.2 km / loop 4 h - 7 h I Sentier du Refuge du 5,5 the Park. Elevation of 1 110 m. Sentier du Ruisseau-de- Ruisseau-de- Mont-Mégantic la-Montagne la-Montagne (550 m) Les Trois-Sommets – Intense hiking experience. Discovery loop focussing on forest 15.8 km / loop 5 h - 8 h D atashquan 0 50 100 150 To 2,1 transition. Three summits of 1000 m. and higher. m ept- les Grande-Ourse
To hibougamau Port-Menier Sommet du To Sentier des Mont Victoria Val-Racine Mont Saint-Joseph DEGREE OF River Escarpements Mont Victoria ence 2,4 FRANCEVILLE SECTOR COURSES LENGTH AND DURATION* B awr ANTICOSTI La Voie-Lactée (1065 m) DIFFICULTY St.L (1085 m) GASP SIE Promenade du Ruisseau – A short hiking trail that runs along a stream, part of POINTE-TAILLON Sentier du MONTS-VALIN 2.6 km / loop 45 min - 1 h E AIGUE ELLE Matane aspé Mont-Saint-Joseph Col-des- Pic des (1060 m) Ruisseau-de-la-Montagne trail. You can stop at Plage des galets, Halte des Pruches 0,3 Rouyn- oranda F ORD-DU- Trois-Sommets 0,1 Crépuscules and Halte du Vieux-Barrage rest areas; the walk is accessible even to beginner hikers. IC LE- ONAVENTURE- SAGUENA ET-DU-ROCHER-PERC (910 m) aguenay Mont MIGUASHA Percé 2,3 Promenade Piste de la Vallée – A shared-use trail: Hiking and mountain biking. By bike, you can have al-d’ r Rimouski Mégantic 7.4 km PARC MARIN 0,6 boréale quick access to Passerelle de la Chute. Add kms by going through the neighbouring Parc 2 h - 3 h E HAUTES-GORGES-DE- DU SAGUENA (1110 m) Halte de round trip LA-RIVI RE-MAL AIE Tadoussac SAINT-LAURENT 1,7 0,9 régional du Marécage-des-Scots. Stationnement 0,9 Gulf of la Terre Mont- St.Lawrence (955 m) Saint-Joseph Ruisseau-de-la-Montagne – Follow the trail along the mountain stream which patiently Rivi re- 0,6 GRANDS- ARDINS 8.4 km du-Loup LAC-T MISCOUATA Sentier du 0,3 (1050 m) sculpts the landscape by taking advantage of a breech in the rocky crown, letting turbulent 2 h 30 - 4 h 30 E OP MICAN La Tuque round trip Mont-Mégantic 0,1 Chemin de la Montagne RouteChesham but particularly clear waters drain away. Barrière Antenne AC UES-CARTIER 1,2 0,1 PRI D RD Chemin de la Montée du Dragon – A short trail that will reward you with a view of nearby mountains. 4.6 km Mont-Laurier I L D Chemin de la Chapelle 2 h - 3 h E uébec Chapelle Discover a yellow maple sugar birch grove. Go in search of gold nuggets! round trip 1,1 0,8 1,3 Sentier du MONT-TREM LANT Trois- BR I Rivi res Abri des Pèlerins La Grande-Ourse Porte-du-Ciel – A spectacular rocky ridge surrounds the North part of Mont-Mégantic and FRONTENAC Mont-Saint-Joseph 7.4 km Mont-Tremblant (760 m) the valley floor offers a path criss-crossed by waterfalls. Here, the landscape is lord and 2 h 30 - 3 h 30 I LES-DE- round trip OUCHERVILLE Chapel 8,7 Belvédère Pèlerins master. O A AMAS A du Soleil 1,2 (970 m) T RI MONT-M GANTIC 1,0 PLAISANCE (730 m) Cimes – Walking along the syenite summits line (syenite being a rock of the granite family), TI Chemin de l'observatoire MONT- 1,3 ttawa Montréal herbrooke you can witness the far-off history of magmatic intrusion that happened during the formation 11.9 km / loop 3 h - 5 h D SAINT- To of the massif mountain. RUNO MONT-ORFORD IT D T T 0 20 40 60 80 Discovery and 0,6 m 0,2 Visitors Centre 0,4 Escarpements – The smallest but not the least of the massif mountains, Pain-de-sucre, 1,7 0,1 Observatory Sector reveals numerous cliffs, narrow faults, overhanging rocks, moss and lichen, and also, 6.7 km / loop 2 h 30 - 3 h I NATIONAL PARKS | WILDLIFE RESERVES | TOURIST ESTABLISHMENTS | SÉPAQ ANTICOSTI Parcours Discovery and PARCS NATIONAUX RÉSERVES FAUNIQUES ÉTABLISSEMENTS TOURISTIQUES SÉPAQ ANTICOSTI 0,7 La Petite-Ourse 1,2 vertiginous views. | | | 0,6 du Soleil (685 m) Visitors Centre DownloadDownload via via 0,3 1,0 Avenza Maps Tour de Franceville – Intense hiking experience, for well-prepared hikers! Natural C 1,0 Avenza Maps h 1,8 gateway to the valley. Discover a symbolic place where water and mountain seem to 15.9 km / loop 5 h - 8 h D e m have been clashing for millennia. The sight will blow you away. i n 2,4 0,1 0,2 Route du parc d Mont e 0,1 l Notre-Dame 0,1 'o 2,2 0,1 La Petite-Ourse b Parcours s (910 m) (685 m) 0,4 e du Soleil To QUÉBEC NATIONAL PARKS DAY * r v a Notre-Dame-des-Bois FREE t o DEGREE OF i r A TRAIL THROUGH BOTH SECTORS LENGTH AND DURATION* September 12, 2020 e ASTROLab DIFFICULTY reusable bag (595 m) Road network Registration centre / Rustic accommodation Traversée – Intense hiking experience, for well-prepared hikers! Discover over a century FREE ADMISSION with an in-store 1,1 Information 13.2 km 3,5 1,5 Forest road 4 h - 5 h D Museum old forest that is still intact, brooks and waterfalls in the massif backland. Shelters allow one-way purchase of L'information fournie sur cette carte peut changer sans préavis. Playground 1,0 Km Length of trail sections return trips. En cas de disparité, l'information sur le terrain doit prévaloir en tout temps. 0,1 Observatoire $75 or more. Cette carte intègre de l’information géographique de source gouvernementale. Pour des besoins de représentation, certaines données ont subi des Picnic area astronomique Trail The reusable bag is made transformations et des adaptations qui ont pu modifier la donnée originale. of natural wood fibre, a biodegradable Données originales utilisées Années Lookout ASTROLab / Banque de données Sépaq 2020 Semi-serviced camping Bike path SÉPAQ WINTER DAY and recyclable material. Cartes topographiques Hiking Hut Family-friendly Dogs allowed E: Easy I: Intermediate D: Difficult Centre de découverte à l'échelle de 1/20 000 2000 Parking lot Endroits où les chiens et de services Source des données utilisées Rustic camping JANUARY 30, 2021 Ministère des Ressources naturelles sont autorisés The asphalted road towards summits is accessible in vehicle in daytime summer, between 9 am and 5 pm. In spring and in autumn, verify the accessibility © Gouvernement du Québec Telephone *Value of $7.99. Eligible on all purchases of $75 or more after applicable To La Patrie National park boundary Cabin with the welcome center of the park. FREE ADMISSION rebates, discounts, and promotions and before applicable taxes. Toilet Exclusions: wood and convenience store products. 0 100 200 300 400 m 212 Chapel Ecological reserve *The durations and the mentioned levels of difficulty are for information purposes and refer to the summer season. Valid until December 31, 2020. Limited quantities available. Route du parc 0 1 000 2 000 3 000 Relais Summit m 6 7 SLEEPING MONT-MEGANTIC INTERNATIONAL UNDER THE DARK SKY RESERVE STARS ECO-LIGHTING
BY FOLLOWING THESE 4 SIMPLE PRINCIPLES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET ADEQUATE LIGHTING WHILE PRESERVING NOCTURNAL INTEGRITY. Spend the night with us and enjoy the park to the fullest. You’ll have your base camp and discover the territory at your leisure all the while having a front-row seat to check out the wildlife in its natural habitat, and the stars in the heart of the first international Dark Sky Reserve! Visitors can chose from among several types of accommodations and packages:
• Camping (with and without services) • Ready-to-camp FROM THE EARTH TO • Cabins Echo THE STARS PACKAGES • Cabins EXP To extend your stay in the area, and meet all your expectations, discover • Rustic shelters our regional lodging partners. • Huts in the mountain Yurts, Cottages, Inns, B&Bs, SHIELDING COLOR DIMMING TIMING Camping, Homes. Choose luminaires whose luminous Give preference to warm color Opt for low-keyed and Turning off outside lights in See astrolab.qc.ca Packages flux is oriented towards the ground, and amber light sources in constant lighting in order to late evening is a simple and and do not spill light towards the sky order to minimize the amount reduce glare and excessive efficient way to reduce light and the horizon. of blue light emitted and thus contrasts which jeopardize pollution and energy waste. reduce negative impact on visibility. living beings biological cycles and starry sky visibility.
THE NIGHT IS HALF OF OUR LIFETIME
For many species of nocturnal animals, artificial light has many negative impacts Although it is known that outside lighting attracts and kills a great number of insects every night, the type of light source may make a big difference in regards Free of charge! to its power of attraction. A study conducted at Parc national du Mont-Mégantic Admission and Our favourite offers at the park revealed that amber LEDs which are installed more and more in the MMIDSR equipment loan territory, and which were recommended in order to reduce light pollution, offered to children • Free access for 17 and under to all astronomy activities attracted a lot less insects than white LEDs. So, light fixtures installed in order 17 and under. to reduce light pollution make it possible to reduce impacts on insects and • Hike to Repos du Dragon in the Franceville Sector nocturnal environment. Offer varies from one establishment to another. First come, first served. • Parcours du Soleil in Observatory Sector Negative impacts of light pollution are as varied as loss of the dark starry sky, sky glow and effects on many animal species. At Parc national du Mont-Mégantic, • Rocket creating and take-off workshop at the ASTROLab a real sanctuary of darkness whose symbol is Actias Luna, the Luna moth, many some afternoons more study projects in connection with nocturnal animal species, in particular bats, are ongoing.
8 99 PLAY IT SAFE
Photo : Steve Deschênes, Parc national des Grands-Jardins
IN THE WILD, YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSABILITY Sépaq’s mission is to ensure the widest possible access to Québec’s most beautiful natural treasures. Sépaq is committed to the safety of its visitors and urges you to REMINDERS THE PARK IN WINTER play it safe! DID YOU KNOW… Preparing yourself adequately is the first step in the safe and enjoyable practice of SNOWSHOEING CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING your favourite activities. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY and risk During your visit to a national park, you management is an integral part of your experience. must always carry your entry fee receipt The Parc National du Mont-Mégantic offers There are 25 km of classical cross-country ski trails The Parc National du Mont-Mégantic is renowned Before leaving for an excursion, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE SKILLS AND ABILITIES or your annual entry card. approximately 40 km of snowshoe trails for all tastes at Parc National du Mont-Mégantic. The degree of REQUIRED to practice your chosen activity AND RESPECT YOUR PHYSICAL LIMITS. for its exceptional quantity of snow. For to help you discover the wonders of winter. Levels difficulty along these groomed trails ranges from Your outing should leave you with nothing but pleasant memories. We invite you to comparison purposes, in an average winter, 3 m of difficulty range from beginner to intermediate, easy to intermediate, with circuits 2 to 7 hours in consult our safety guides for Sépaq activities, available at sepaq.com/security. (10 ft.) of snow will fall over Sherbrooke, 5 m (16 You will also find a list of organizations that can help you plan your activities safely. with circuits of 1 to 16 km, including access to three length. Ski trail rates available on the Internet and Remember that animals are in their natural ft.) at the foot of Mount Megantic, and 7 m (23 ft.) summits more than 1,000 m height: Mount at the welcome centre. sepaq.com/security habitat and that you are a visitor. To ensure at the top of the mountain! St. Joseph, Mount Mégantic and Mount Victoria. both your safety and theirs, feeding them CHECKLIST is prohibited; otherwise they may lose their BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME natural fear of human beings and become • Plan on going with at least one other person. aggressive. • Check the weather report. WINTER • Pack water and food, even if the activity is only for a few hours. • See that you have appropriate clothing and footwear for anticipated weather conditions. ACTIVITIES • Let somebody know the exact location of your destination and the time you plan to return home. To preserve our natural riches, you are not allowed to remove any natural ONCE YOU ARE ON SITE elements (animals, plants, dead wood, SNOWSHOE BY TORCHLIGHT • Do not rely on your cellphone. rocks, etc.). Please also keep to AND ASTRONOMY PACKAGE • Check how much time it will take to complete your activity. • Obey signs and notices, including bans on open fires. established hiking trails to avoid trampling flora. SATURDAY NIGHTS FROM END OF WHEN YOU GET BACK • Once you have completed your activity, make sure that you report to our staff anything JANUARY UNTILL END OF MARCH wrong or any damage or problems you encountered. To top off a memorable day of outdoor activities, enjoy a snowshoe outing by moonlight and torches and an evening of stargazing at the ASTROLab. Parc national dude Mont-Méganticla Jacques-Cartier LegalLegal Deposit: Deposit: 2020 2019 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: 911 LibraryBibliothèque and Archives et Archives Canada nationales du Québec IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: 911 4456, ch. du Lac-Supérieur SNOWY SPRING BREAK 189, route du Parc PhotosPhotos: : Marie-GeorgesParc national des Bélanger, Grands-Jardins, Rémi Boucher, Steve DeschênesDominic : * SÛRETÉ DU QUÉBEC: 310-4141 (general number)) / 4141 (for cellphones) Lac-Supérieur (Québec) J0T 1P0 Boudreault,Dominic Boudreault, Mathieu Charland,Mathieu Dupuis, Mathieu Agathe Dupuis, Girard-Tremblay, Sébastien SÛRETÉ DU QUÉBEC: 310-4141 (general number) /*4141 (for cellphones) Notre-Dame-des-Bois (Québec) J0B 2E0 NE*Where cellphone networksPAS are available. The costs ENVVOYER and expenses incurred Information: 418-848-3169 CETTE Giguère,Jean-Pierre PARTIE Guillaume Huard, Poulin,Steve Deschênes, Ministère Développement Lise Génois, durable, Special activities all week long, among which *Where cellphone networks are available. The costs and expenses incurred Information: 819 888-2941 Caroline Langevin, Paul Binet – Dreamstime in conducting search and rescue operations are the responsibility of the Réservation: 1 800-665-6527 Environnement, Parcs, CFHT/Coelum observation of the Sun with a telescope, visit of the inwbeneficiary. conducting searchYou can and obtain rescue protection operations against are these the responsibility risks from an insurer.of the Reservations: 1 800 665-6527 beneficiary. You can obtain protection against these risks from an insurer. [email protected] ASTROLab, and Torchlight Packages during the week! Email:sepaq.com/jacquescartier [email protected] AUX GRAPHISTESsepaq.com/montmegantic astrolab.qc.ca 10 11 FOR A MEMORABLE DAY
OBSERVATORY SECTOR FRANCEVILLE SECTOR
ASTROLAB VISIT BY DAY VERTIGE DES ESCARPEMENTS (TRAIL) Between noon and 4:30 pm. Check out the schedule. 6.7 km round trip Included in the Observatory visit fee.
OBSERVATORY VISIT BY DAY VIEUX-BARRAGE (REST AREA) During afternoon. Check out the schedule. Promenade du Ruisseau: 2.6 km loop Repos du Dragon: 4.6 km round trip
MOUNT ST.JOSEPH PARC DU MARÉCAGE-DES-SCOTS Promenade Boréale: 2.4 km round trip 8.3 km trail Parcours du Soleil: 3.1 km loop Canoe rentals available in Scotstown
sepaq.com/montmegantic astrolab.qc.ca 819 888-2941 1 800 665-6527