Monts-Valin National Park

The vast Monts-Valin National Parks occupies an area of 154 km² and dominates the landscape of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region from its 980-metre vantage point.

This park offers a multitude of outdoor activities all year round. Short hiking trips, cabin vacations, fishing on a lake or river, canoe-camping, and canoeing are the featured summer activities. The origin of the name Valin, but the name Rivière à Valin (Valin River) can be seen on the maps of Father Laure of 1731 and on those of hydrographer Jacques-Nicolas Bellin made in 1744.

The river could have been named after François Valin, who was born in 1693 and lived in Ancienne-Lorette, near Quebec. Father Valin may have accompanied Indians to the Saguenay and his name may have become associated with the river, and later, the mountain. At the 900-metre summit of Pic de la Hutte, the effects of rougher climatic conditions on the vegetation are evident: the trees are smaller and there are lichen and Arctic-alpine plants. In the distance, the town of Saguenay is visible, as far as the Laurentian natural Reserve. Guests can enjoy this panorama on a road suitable for motor vehicles which will take them to the departure point of a 1.5 km trail leading to Pic de la Hutte.

Visitors are welcome to contemplate the "mummies" and "ghosts" that haunt the snow-covered valleys and windswept mountaintops: two climatic phenomena which fascinate, enchant and charm winter activity enthusiasts. Kayak and canoe enthusiasts can grab their paddle for an excursion on Valin River.

Whether they are travelling by canoe or kayak, many interesting encounters could be waiting for them. Indeed, beavers are common here, and many clues reveal their presence: huts, trails, gnawed trees, etc. The sector is a fragile habitat, concealing a large number of peat bog plants, some of which are rare. Tourists can come ashore on a small sandy shore in the Étang Bélanger, where moose can often be spotted. Here guests can take advantage of an unimpeded view of Mont Valin.

Five rivers with numerous rapids and several falls and cascades, criss-cross the mountain landscape here, in a real fisher's paradise! Close to 125 bodies of water of every size may be found on this territory. During the winter, exceptional snowfalls transform this territory into an excellent place to go snowshoeing, cross country skiing or to take long or short backcountry skiing treks. Various packages are available.