| |
 The
Whale Route
Port-Cartier,
Sept-Îles
Minganie
Île
d’Anticosti
Basse-Côte-Nord
Caniapiscau
Duplessis—for a pure taste of Côte-Nord!
Are you looking for both adventure and comfort? Follow the Whale Route in
Duplessis, where nature abounds! You will have an exceptional and unforgettable
adventure.
Both summer and winter provide the perfect backdrop to experience exhilarating
adventure or quiet comfort. Whether you decide to come in the summer for
hiking, sea kayaking, wilderness camping, and cycling or to wait until Mother
Nature dons her magnificent wintry white coat for snowmobiling, ice fishing,
and downhill or cross-country skiing, you’ll discover the natural
wealth that make us millionaires in our hearts and souls. So fasten your
seatbelt, open your eyes, and enjoy Duplessis in all its 200,000 km2 of
vastness.
United by the sea…
With the river as its instrument, Nature has transformed Duplessis
into a showcase of the most exquisite finery, dotting shoreline areas
with some thousand isles and islands, and countless bays, gullies,
and reefs. This is a region sculpted into magical landscapes with
never-ending stretches of irresistible sandy beaches.
From the beginning
of your journey until you reach Natashquan, the scenery on Route 138
will roll by like a 486 kilometer long feature film. First, you’ll
see Île aux OEufs (Egg Island), which shaped history by slowing
Walker’s progress on his way to conquer Québec City.
Then, you’ll pass by the islands of Port-Cartier, which bathe
in the waters of two mighty rivers. In Sept-Îles, you’ll gaze on islands sheltered by the
Marconi peninsula, which form an almost perfect circular bay. Once
past the heritage Moisie River, you’ll cross a succession of
fascinating rivers before you reach the start of the Mingan Archipelago.
There, you’ll spy huge gardens of monoliths that some say resemble
flower pots, old women, wizards and other strange forms.
Route 138 ends in Natashquan, as if refusing to venture beyond the
imposing river that marks the beginning of enchanting Basse- Côte-Nord.
Accessible only by plane or by boat, Basse-Côte- Nord will fill
you with wonder with its 400 km of shoreline chiseled in rock. And
out to sea, the queen of all the islands—8,000 km2 Anticosti—
stands guard in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Rich in history
and geology, Anticosti is known for its unique natural landscapes
and 120,000 white-tailed deer.
Rooted in history…
These treasures alone are more than enough to qualify Duplessis as
a natural paradise. But there’s still more… Duplessis’
modern history is rooted in its backcountry, a land of immense natural
wealth. It was here that that industrial era sprang to life. From
the late 1800s, when the lumber industry got underway, it was like
a fortress opened to reveal a cache inside overflowing with riches.
In the 1950s, the discovery of iron ore gave birth to mining towns.
Fermont and Schefferville became the sentinels of the north. These
starting points for river descents southward and treks into the land
of the caribou and the Groulx Mountains are the perfect places to
begin your outdoor adventures.
Le
Québec Maritime
Just like our neighbors in Manicouagan, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspé,
and Îles-de-la- Madeleine, our region has a long maritime
tradition. That’s why we’ve all joined together in a vast
celebration called Le Québec Maritime.
Directions
Here’s how to find us and take advantage of all we have to
offer: From the west, take Route 138 and cross the Saguenay River
on the Baie-Sainte-Catherine/Tadoussac ferry. From the south, take
the Matane/Baie-Comeau/Godbout ferry across the St. Lawrence River.
From Saguenay—Lac-St-Jean, take route 172 to connect with the
138. Route 389 will take you from Baie-Comeau to the towns of Fermont
and Goose Bay in Labrador. The QNS&L train out of Sept-Îles
goes to Schefferville, further to the north.
Hop aboard a boat or an airplane to access picturesque Basse-Côte-Nord
or Anticosti, an island of natural treasures. A stretch of Route 138
also connects Blanc-Sablon with neighboring communities over a distance
of about 50 kilometers.
We’re ready for your visit. Ready to
welcome you, to tell you our stories, and to share with you the many
splendors this region has to offer. So, what are you waiting for?
Come for a vacation like you’ve never had before, in Duplessis—for
a pure taste of Côte-Nord!
|
|
| |
© Tourisme Côte-Nord 1999-2005
|
|
|
|
