Parc national du Bic – Quebec’s Hidden Hiking Gem

🌲🌊 Parc national du Bic – Quebec’s Hidden Hiking Gem 📍 Location: Near Rimouski, Quebec (20km east on Route 132) 🎟️ Entry Fee: $9.25 CAD/adult (kids under 7 free) 📅 Best Time: May-October (wildflowers, seals, fall colors) 🥾 Top 3 Trails – Ocean, Cliffs & Forests 1️⃣ The Grand Tour (8.7km loop, 3hrs, Hard) ✔ Adventure-packed – Cliff walks, dense forests, and St. Lawrence River views. ✔ Seal Spotting – Harbour seals sunbathe on offshore rocks (binoculars help!). 2️⃣ Le Chemin-du-Nord (4km loop, 1hr15min, Easy) ✔ Family-Friendly – Flat path past wave-sculpted stone arches. ✔ Tide Pools – Explore at low tide for crabs & starfish. 3️⃣ Le Pic-Champlain (6km roundtrip, 2hrs, Moderate) ✔ Postcard View – Summit panorama of islands + endless blue. ✔ Dog-Friendly – On-leash pups welcome (bring water!). 🐾 Wildlife Encounters ✅ Seals – Common near Pointe-aux-Épinettes. ✅ White-tailed deer – Dawn/dusk in meadows. ✅ Eagles – Soaring over Cap-à-l’Orignal. ⚠️ Pro Tips 🚗 Parking: Arrive by 10am in summer (small lots fill fast). 🧴 Bug Spray: Horseflies love hikers near marshes. 📶 No Service: Download maps offline. 🏕️ Overnight? ✔ Camping du Bic – Rustic sites steps from the shore ($30/night). 🏆 Why Bic Beats Crowded Parks? "It’s like Fundy’s tides met the Rockies’ cliffs—but with Quebec’s cozy charm. Where else can you hike a forest trail at noon and picnic with seals at sunset?" #QuebecHiking #StLawrenceViews #HiddenCanada