Forillon National Park – Gaspé’s Wild Coastal Gem

🌲🌊 Forillon National Park – Gaspé’s Wild Coastal Gem 📍 Location: 1-hour drive from Percé, near Gaspé Town ⏰ Best Time to Visit: May-October (sunset in May ~8:30pm) 🎟️ Entry Fee: $8.50 CAD/vehicle (free with Parks Canada annual pass) --- 📸 Why Forillon is a Hidden Masterpiece ✅ Cliffside Lighthouses – Cap-Gaspé Lighthouse perches on 100m-high cliffs (whales often below!). ✅ Secluded Beaches – Pebble coves with crystal-clear water (if trails are closed, ask rangers for access). ✅ Moose & Seabirds – Spot wildlife on the Les Graves Trail (8km roundtrip). --- 🚶♂️ Trails & Viewpoints 1️⃣ Cap-Gaspé Lighthouse Hike ✔ Moderate 4km hike – Ends at a dramatic cliff-top lighthouse. ✔ Whale Watching: Bring binoculars for humpbacks (June-Oct). 2️⃣ Grande-Grave Heritage Site ✔ Historic fishing village – 19th-century houses + ocean views. 3️⃣ Mont-Saint-Alban Lookout ✔ Panoramic views – See the entire peninsula from a fire tower. --- ⚠️ Important Notes ❓ Why was the boardwalk closed? May is shoulder season – some trails open late due to snowmelt or repairs (check https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/qc/forillon). 🚫 No drones in the park – Fly outside boundaries (like the lighthouse shot here!). --- 🌅 Sunset Tips for Next Time ✔ Best spot: Cap-Gaspé Lighthouse or Penouille Beach. ✔ Golden hour: Arrive 1.5hrs before sunset for soft light. --- 🏨 Where to Stay Nearby ✔ Gaspé Town – 30 mins away, with hotels/restaurants (try Hôtel des Commandants). ✔ Forillon Campgrounds – Open June-Sept (oceanfront sites!). --- 🚗 Road Trip Detours 🛣️ Route 132 Scenic Drive – Stop at Anse-aux-Gascons for cliffside picnic spots. 🐋 Whale Watching: Book a boat tour in Gaspé Harbour (closer than Percé!). --- 🏆 Why Forillon Beats the Crowds "Banff has glaciers, but Forillon has wild Atlantic soul. Here, the only traffic jams are moose crossing the road." #Gasp #QuebecRoadTrip #HiddenCanada #CoastalHiking