Outdoor activities
Country routes
Navigators' RouteA scenic route
Limitless panoramas of the St. Lawrence, its islands and the magnificent mountains of the North Shore await you on the Navigators' Route (Route des navigateurs). As you travel this route, which mainly hugs the coastline of the Bas-Saint-Laurent, you'll be enveloped by three centuries of history and the spirits of fishermen, navigators and schooner builders. Along the way, take the opportunity to stop in the two largest cities, Rivière-du-Loup and Rimouski, and the many picturesque villages in between. You might even take an excursion on the St. Lawrence!
Countless views of the river
Facing the striking mountains of the North Shore, the little village of Kamouraska is lined with pretty ancestral homes. Here you can enjoy strolls, go bird watching, climbing or sea kayaking at the Société d'écologie de la batture marine park and outdoor educational centre. On the surrounding plains, curious rocky hills are sure to catch your eye: these are the monadnocks! Just outside of Rivière-du-Loup, the departure point for numerous excursions on the St. Lawrence estuary, Notre-Dame-du-Portage is a tranquil village with salt air, opulent period homes and a view of the Îles Pèlerins archipelago. In Rimouski, you'll be astounded by the Parc national du Bic, whose mountains and magnificent jagged cliffs provide the ideal shelter for seabirds and seals. A little further east, the Pointe-au-Père lighthouse, a national historic site, is home to a museum that tells the history of navigation on the St. Lawrence.Awe-inspiring scenery
As you leave the Navigators' Route, continue along Highway 132 and visit the Gaspésie; this portion of the highway was awarded three stars by the 2004 Michelin Road Atlas, ranking it among North America's top scenic drives. In fact, it offers a splendid view of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Chaleur Bay. A vast peninsula jutting out into the sea, the Gaspésie is a favourite vacation destination.Your itinerary
The Navigators' Route (Route des navigateurs) links 16 Bas-Saint-Laurent municipalities along Highway 132, from La Pocatière to Sainte-Luce, east of Rimouski (190 km / 118 mi.).
