4 Days in Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Quebec: The Ultimate Guide

Many frequent travellers of Canada likely haven’t heard of Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Quebec. It’s even a bit of a tongue twister for an English speaker, like myself. If you’re up for a road trip, I urge you to venture to northwest Quebec to Abitibi-Témiscamingue region as it’s an absolutely brilliant destination for outdoor adventures and nature.

And there’s a good chance that you may have it all to ourselves. Even when visiting on a summer weekend, typically the busiest travel season, we had places entirely to ourselves. Justin and I were shocked on several occasions when we came across no one else at a stunning scenic lookout point or beautiful waterfall.

We spent four days in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, but you could easily spend a week or more here. It will take some time to get to the region, and it is 100% necessary to travel by car. There isn’t much public transportation up here, and it will take an hour or two to drive from place to place.

From Montreal, it is about a six hour drive to Val d’Or, the closest city in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. From Quebec City, it is about an eight hour drive. We visited Abitibi-Témiscamingue after a three day trip in the Laurentians and Mont Tremblant.

From the Laurentians, it is approximately a 4.5 hour drive to Val d’Or. Then, after our trip to A-T, we continued on to Outaouais region for three days, which made for an amazing 10-day road trip in Quebec.

Getting to Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec

Like I mentioned, you need a car to get around Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec. We drove our car from our home in the Toronto area. If you’re travelling from afar or don’t have a car, here’s what I suggest.

Fly to the Montréal–Trudeau International Airport. Here’s where you can find the best prices on flights to Montreal. After arriving at the airport, it’s important to pick up a rental car.

I suggest comparing rates for car rentals at Discover Cars. Search between multiple companies (including reviews) to find the best rental car for you. Browse and book your car here.

4 Days in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec: Day 1

The first portion of our first day in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec really just involved getting there. After a morning in the Laurentians, we began our road trip north towards A-T. We arrived in the city of Val d’Or to stretch our legs and check out a local distillery.

If you find yourself with more time earlier in the day, be sure to spend more time in Val d’Or. We didn’t have too much time here, other than visiting Alpha Tango and picking up some groceries. The city’s downtown area looks really cute. In the summer, the main street is closed to traffic, so it is walkable as a pedestrian-only zone.

Alpha Tango

Alpha Tango is a microdistillery in Val d’Or owned by a father and son duo. While you can find their products their own shop, dozens of SAQ locations and at some local events, their goal is eventually to be distributed worldwide. Their spirits are so unique and tasty that I believe it can happen!

We took a short tour of the distillery and sampled some of the spirits. Justin and I really loved the black raspberry gin. Fun fact: Alpha Tango is the first distillery in the world to use cattail in their spirits. They’re always pushing the boundaries in fun and creative ways to create outstanding products.

Stay in a Floating Cottage: Audacieuses Évasions

Audacieuses Évasions is home to four unique floating cottages, situated on the tranquil waterfront of Lac Preissac. We spent one night at Nanovasion flottant, a cute and cozy floating home that’s perfect for two guests.

While there isn’t a ton of space inside the cottage itself, the bed folds out and comfortably sleeps two. There is a bathroom with a shower and a camping toilet. The cottage also has a BBQ grill, so we prepared some yummy veggie dogs that evening. There isn’t a fridge, but the owners provided us with a cooler to keep our groceries nice and fresh.

There’s plenty of outdoor seating with places to relax and admire the lakefront views. You can’t get much closer to the lake than this! The Nano floating cottage has its own private spa that’s ideal to enjoy beneath the stars at night.

Another fun and quirky thing you can do at Audacieuses Evasions is use the floating bicycle and electric standup paddleboard. These are two watersports that we’d never tried before, and it was really fun going out for a spin on the lake. The electric standup paddleboard has up to 12 different speeds, so you can really zip along the surface of the water without much effort.

If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation, please call 819-301-1320. They do not have an online booking system or an operational website, so you will need to book this one directly.

4 Days in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec: Day 2

For day two of our road trip to Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, we started the day at an amazing national park. Then, we drove to our next homebase of Rouyn-Noranda. There are plenty of things to do in Rouyn-Noranda, but it still has a quaint, small town feel.

Spend the night in Rouyn-Noranda at a downtown hotel. The main street here is closed to traffic in the summer, making it a wonderful place to walk as a pedestrian. There is a street festival with vendors, and the main road is painted with public art, too.

Aiguebelle National Park

Aiguebelle National Park is described as a “true nature gem in the heart of Abitibi-Temiscamingue”. It’s home to 80 lakes, 280km of streams, and has one of the highest densities of beavers in Quebec. Even after only spending a half day there, we definitely agree that this is an exceptional and very peaceful place to visit.

It would take days and days to experience all of the trails (I counted 11 in total, and two additional trails that combine several paths to form a longer loop). Since we only had the late morning/early afternoon to explore, Justin and I had to be selective in how to spend our time here.

We started on the shorter “La Castoriere” trail, a 1km loop from the Discover and Visitors Centre that winds around a pond and beaver habitat. We had a picnic lunch at a picnic table here, so it made sense to go for a little wander around the area. It’s a really easy boardwalk loop trail that’s surprisingly scenic.

La Traverse Trail

For our main hiking journey, we ventured on La Traverse trail that follows the edge of Lac La Haie. There’s a small waterfall near the start of the trail. Then, you’ll slowly ascend up the escarpment to enjoy glorious views of this deep blue lake.

La Traverse Trail usually has a suspension bridge at the halfway point. Unfortunately, the suspension bridge was under repair when we visited the park, so we had to turn around and walk back to where we started. We’ll have to return to experience the breathtaking views from the bridge. With that said, it’s still well worth the trek, even if you can’t walk across the suspension bridge.

If you have more time here, I highly suggest hiking Le Mont Dominant. It’s one of the highest peaks in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec. There’s an incredible view at the top of the Abijévis hills. In addition, Les Paysages Trail is also on my list for next time. It includes a spiral staircase going up the escarpment, a Japanese bridge and a floating walkway.

Rouyn-Noranda

Rouyn-Noranda is a city in Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Quebec that feels more like a small town. We immediately felt the artsy vibes of this city upon our arrival. From a colourful mural directly outside our hotel to the mural splashed across the pavement of the main downtown street, I love these displays of outdoor public art.

The main street is closed down to traffic for the summer and becomes a pedestrian-only road. There’s an outdoor festival where vendors and booths line the street and restaurant patios are lively spots to enjoy.

Don’t miss the free outdoor concert series at La Guingette chez Edmund that runs all summer long. There are bands, hip-hop artists and DJs on the main stage every Friday and Saturday night, and be sure to grab a drink at the bar. Justin and I saw a hip-hop performance at La Guingette that we really enjoyed.

Musée d’art de Rouyn-Noranda is a top attraction for art lovers. This local art museum is free to visit. Their permanent exhibition, Under the Northern Lights, features works by local artists in a variety of mediums. They also host temporary exhibits and art workshops for adults and kids alike.

Stay at Hotel Albert

The location doesn’t get much better than this! We spent the night at the top-rated hotel in Rouyn-Noranda, Hotel Albert. They offer contemporary, modern rooms where you’ll surely have a comfortable night’s stay. The hotel has complimentary Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, and a free hot breakfast.

4 Days in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec: Day 3

For day there of our trip to Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, we drove towards the town of Ville-Marie, making one stop on the way. Ville-Marie is a delightful little town with a pretty waterfront. It’s also home to an interesting national historic site where I suggest taking a tour if you have the time.

After visiting Ville-Marie and Obadjiwan-Fort-Temiscamingue National Historic Site, drive to Opemican National Park. We spent the next two nights at Opemican NP in a ready-to-camp cabin.

Ferme Nordvie

From Rouyn-Noranda, we made the drive toward Ville-Marie, making a short pit stop on the way. We took a short detour to Ferme Nordvie, a small local farm that grows fresh strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb and more.

We specifically stopped to try their fresh strawberry slushies. These were the best fruit slushies we’ve ever had! The drinks were super refreshing and tasted completely like fresh strawberries, straight from the farm. It’s totally worth the trip.

Nordvie also sells products made from what’s grown on the farm, like strawberry herbal tea, sparkling juices, seasonings, spices, finishing salts, herbs, and you can also buy fresh fruit as well (depending on what’s in season).

Ville-Marie

Ville-Marie is a cute town with a picturesque waterfront. Justin and I went for a walk on the lake towards the harbour. It’s very calm and pretty here. There are a few shops and cafes to check out as well.

Les Chocolats Martine is an artisanal chocolate shop that also sells many other regional and local products, too. While none of the chocolates themselves were vegan so I couldn’t try them, the shop had quite a few specialty products for sale for home chefs and those seeking interesting culinary finds.

Cafeier-Boustifo is a cute coffee shop in town that we really wanted to check out. Unfortunately, it isn’t open on the weekends (only Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) so we weren’t able to stop for a coffee. It’s on my list for next time. Please let me know how it is if you visit!

Obadjiwan-Fort-Témiscamingue

Obadjiwan–Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site is a fascinating place to visit, whether you take a fully guided tour (like we did) or if you explore on your own. If you love learning about history and culture, this is an unmissable attraction in Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Quebec.

There’s evidence of First Nations Peoples on this site going back over 6000 years, specifically spring and summer occupations by the Anicinabeg (Algonquin). In the 1700s, the authorities of New France established this place as a fur trading post. Fort Temiscamingue became a trading post for over 200 years and played a strategic role in the fight between the French and English over the fur trade.

There’s an indoor space with artifacts and maps to teach more about the importance of the fur trade. Then, go for a walk outdoors to see canoes built using traditional methods. There are reconstructed buildings and the remains of the old trading post. We particularly enjoyed a historic reenactment along the way.

Go for a walk through the enchanted forest where the trees are shaped and twisted by the strong winds. Our tour guide was excellent. He thoroughly explained so much history and told us so many stories behind this national historic site. We came away with a deeper understanding of the history of this region.

Stay at Opemican National Park

Opemican National Park is bordered by Lac Kipawa and Lac Temiscaming, so it’s naturally a wonderful place to go paddling. There are also 10 hiking trails, waterfalls, and reconstructed heritage buildings. It opened in 2018, so it’s a relatively new national park in Quebec.

Justin and I spent two nights at one of the Étoile ready-to-camp cabins. This tent is a canvas-sealed wood structure that’s integrated with the surrounding natural environment. It has electricity and even a small heater for nights when it feels a little bit chilly. There are several windows with screens that zip open to allow the breeze to flow through the tent.

While you will need to bring your own bedsheets and fitted sheets, pillows and towels, the ready-to-camp cabin comes with everything you need to feel rested and cook your own meals. It sleeps up to six with three double beds (one is on the top bunk).

There is a little fridge, an outdoor stovetop beneath the front porch awning, pots and pans, cutlery, cooking utensils, plates, glasses and more. There’s outdoor seating on the front porch, a picnic table and a campfire with chairs around it.

Now, where is the bathroom? There is not a bathroom inside the ready-to-camp tent. However, facilities are only a short walk from the cabin with bathrooms and private stalls with showers that are independent of one another. There are also facilities at the Visitor’s Centre, which isn’t terribly far away either.

4 Days in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec: Day 4

For our last day in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, we spent the entire day at Opemican National Park. There’s so much to see and do here, whether you decide to go hiking or paddling. It’s easy to rent kayaks and paddleboards on-site if you’re looking to paddle the lakes and waterways here.

Since Justin and I had some other opportunities to paddle on this trip (in the Laurentians and Outaouais), we decided to spend our day hiking and relaxing. We witnessed a gorgeous waterfall, Le Grande Chute, and hiked to a pretty lookout spot on La Paroi-aux-Faucons (Falcon’s Cliff Trail).

Opemican National Park: La Grande Chute

La Grande-Chute is a short trail (1.2km round trip) that leads straight to the Grande-Chute. Yes, it’s a big waterfall indeed! We were really impressed by the waterfall and the lookout platform that extends over the raging waters down below. It allows you to get a much closer view and to truly feel the roar of the waters up close.

This section of the park is a bit of a distance away from the Visitor’s Centre. Opemican National Park covers such a massive territory, so you will often need to drive from one spot to the next if you wish to access particular trails. Drive from the Visitor Centre north on road 101, past Laniel, until you see a sign for “Chemin de la riviere Kipawa”.

Opemican National Park: La Paroi-aux-Faucons

La Paroi-aux-Faucons, or Falcon’s Cliff Trail, is located in the same section as La Grande Chute. Get back in the car and drive a short distance down the road until you reach the trailhead for Paroi-aux-Faucons Trail.

This is another relatively short hike (1.8km round trip) that’s also accessible for strollers. The trail gradually takes you up to a scenic lookout point from the edge of a rocky cliff. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot some soaring peregrine falcons in the sky.

Unfortunately, we didn’t see any falcons (though we were on the lookout!), they do nest in this area so there’s always a good chance you can spot them. We really loved the breathtaking views from here. This rugged cliff is 70 metres high and overlooks Lake Temiscamingue.

Watch the Sunset

While I wouldn’t say that there are any particular sunset lookout spots, we headed down to The Heritage Trail to watch the sun go down. There are some old heritage buildings here, and it’s also the spot where you can rent kayaks and canoes at the park. There’s a long dock and a small sandy beach.

From here, we admired the fiery sky as the sun went down. The sky turned to vibrant shades of pink, orange and red. While the sunset does become obscured by the surrounding trees in the distance, it’s a really beautiful and peaceful place in the park that was also within a short walking distance from our cabin.

After the sunset, we made a little campfire using the free wood offered at the Visitor Centre. Sit back, relax, and gaze up to the night sky. The small beach and pier by the Visitor Centre is also a pretty spot in the nighttime to look up at the stars and the moon.