Quebec's 21 Best Hikes

It is cool to see how others rank or rate your backyard. In this case, its Explore Magazine, no slouch when it comes to time outdoors. However, you have to watch these "articles". Often, they are thinly veiled ads or paid-for promotions. In this case, the recommendations are pretty legit.

Explore states, "Quebec's trails are a pleasant mix of culture, heritage and a whole lot of natural wonder. As the second-largest province in Canada by land, and the largest by water, no one should be surprised by how much wilderness Quebec has on offer. If enjoying and exploring the Great Outdoors is your thing, trekking French-Canada should be high on your adventure list."

They kickoff their list with Les Sentiers de l'Estrie in the Eastern Townships. This 200km intermediate hike stretches from Sutton to Kingsbury, crossing Mont Sutton and Mont Orford. I have summited both and agree with intermediate rating. The non-profit hiking club connected with the trail organizes close to 200 hikes each year which is awesome.

Deux-Criques Trail in Shawinigan is an intriguing 17 km loop taking upwards of 8 hours. Explore reports, "This demanding trail is worth the effort. Begin early in the morning, as the 17-km round-trip trek will eat up most of the day. Along the way, you will discover Ruisseau du Fou falls and a scenic lookout. Only attempt this hike if you are physically fit and carrying the proper equipment."

If that's not enough, how about Les Lacs in Gaspésie? It too, is a loop but 35-km demanding 12 hours or more to complete. It grants access to the International Appalachian Trail. An 2-3 day overnighter that sounds great is Sentier Le Fjord in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, "Tackling it in two days means hard hiking—three days would be more enjoyable for intermediate hikers. Be prepared to run into wildlife, stumble upon waterfalls and find some of the most beautiful viewpoints in the country."

See the whole list here.