Known for it's spectacular St. Lawrence coastline and rugged wilderness, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Québec is an outdoor lover's dream. I’m sea kayaking in Bic National Park, before hopping in a canoe to see bald eagles up close and personal in Lake Témiscouata National Park.
Québec is a big place. Not only is it the biggest province in Canada, but to put it in perspective, it's almost three times the size of France or the state of Texas. On top of this, Québec is blessed with a whopping 3% of the world's fresh water, has more than half a million lakes, and has one of the world's largest rivers flowing through its interior—the St. Lawrence River.
On the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River, where its fresh water meets the saltwater of the Atlantic, you'll find the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Québec. It's a place that many people drive through on their way to Gaspésie without even knowing what they're missing. What they're missing, is a gorgeous landscape with beautiful coastal and rural villages, a stunning coastline and spectacular wilderness.
My first stop in the region is probably the most obvious stop for anyone that knows the area–Bic National Park. At only 13 square miles in size, Bic is one of the smaller national parks you'll find, but what it lacks in size, it definitely makes up for with its visual impact. Although hiking is the most popular way to explore the area, sea kayaking is recognized as the best way to see the place. I met up with Bernard Dugas of Aventures Archipel, who's been kayaking and guiding in these waters for as long as anyone.
It's easy to see why Bic National Park is one of the top destinations for visitors to the region. The terrain is dramatic and varied, and even with the strong winds we faced while there, it was easy to find sheltered areas among the islands and cliffs. This would be a pretty great place to get your feet wet for a first kayaking experience.
It was hard to leave Bic National Park behind because this is the type of coastline that can keep you captivated for days, but our adventure in Bas-Saint-Laurent had only just begun. Only a couple of hours away was another national park: Lake Témiscouata National Park. It’s a big change from the coastal nature of Bic National Park, as Lake Témiscouata National Park is found inland of the St. Lawrence and stretches along one of the most beautiful and largest lakes in the region, Lake Témiscouata.
Although the pristine wilderness landscape was spectacular on its own, learning more about the rich cultural history of the area (there is evidence of human occupation dating back more than 9000 years here!) and seeing the bald eagles that the park is known for is what really stood out. The park is the perfect habitat for bald eagles, with high trees and big, fishy lakes. Being able to paddle within a respectable distance of the nests, pull up on shore and watch these birds was pretty special.
Once again, I was blown away by what I discovered on my trip to the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. My only regret is not having more time, because I know the area has so much more to offer.
Special Thanks To:
Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Sépaq | Bas-Saint-Laurent | Le Québec Maritime
