Saguenay Fjord National Park, one of Quebec’s jewels, is renowned for its imposing cliffs, spectacular lookouts, and hiking trails that run along one of the only accessible fjords in North America. Whether you’re a mountain hiking enthusiast, outdoor lover, or simply a traveler seeking breathtaking panoramas, the park offers some of the most beautiful trails in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
Between vertiginous capes, boreal forests, plunging views of the fjord, and trails suited to all levels, it’s an essential destination for a true immersion in nature. In this article, we share the best hikes in Saguenay Fjord, from iconic routes to more secret itineraries, along with all the tips to prepare your adventure safely.
Why Visit Saguenay Fjord National Park?
Saguenay Fjord National Park is one of Quebec’s most beautiful playgrounds for hiking enthusiasts. Here, the landscapes combine vertiginous cliffs, pristine boreal nature, dense forests, and above all, the fjord, impressive in its depth and shape sculpted by glaciers.
Each trail offers an immersion in the biodiversity of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, where one can observe varied wildlife, from seabirds to park mammals. Thanks to its multiple panoramic viewpoints and the richness of its natural environment, Saguenay Fjord stands out as one of Quebec’s most spectacular hiking sites, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, beginner and experienced hikers alike, and all those who wish to discover grand and preserved nature.
The 11 Best Saguenay Fjord National Park Hiking Trails
Here is the Sépaq map of Saguenay Fjord National Park, an essential tool for locating trails, comparing difficulty levels, and choosing routes that best match your hiking experience.
Baie-Éternité Sector
1. Méandres-à-Falaises Trail
This short trail allows for a quick immersion in the park’s varied landscapes. It features tranquil meanders, peaceful forest areas, and the first cliffs that announce the spectacular entrance to the fjord. It’s a good option for a gentle walk accessible to all.
- Distance: 1.6 km (45–60 min)
- Elevation gain: 30 m
- Difficulty: Easy
2. Statue Trail
The Statue Trail is a park must-see and offers two routes depending on your level and available time. The first option leads to the Bellevue rest area, an already very impressive intermediate viewpoint, accessible via a shorter and less demanding route. The second option continues the climb to the statue itself, perched above Baie-Éternité, where an even more spectacular panorama of the capes and fjord depth awaits you.
- Distance: 3.6 km (2 h) or 7.6 km (3-4 h)
- Elevation gain: 230 to 280 m
- Difficulty: Intermediate to difficult
3. Rivière Trail
This accessible trail follows the Éternité River in a peaceful atmosphere. It crosses a dense boreal forest and leads to the campground, offering an ideal route for families or those seeking a pleasant walk without too much effort.
- Distance: 8.4 km round trip (4 h)
- Elevation gain: 100 m
- Difficulty: Intermediate
4A. Les Caps Trail
Perfect for hikers seeking a challenge, Les Caps Trail offers two routes with exceptional fjord viewpoints. The first option leads to the Géant viewpoint, a remarkable lookout accessible after a sustained climb of about 340 m elevation gain. The second option, longer and more demanding, continues the route to Cap Éternité, where the panoramas become even more spectacular, dominating one of the park’s most impressive sectors.
- Distance: 10.2 km (4–5 h) or 18 km (9 h)
- Elevation gain: 340 to 360 m
- Difficulty: Intermediate to difficult
L’Anse-Saint-Jean Sector
4B. Les Caps Trail
This longer variant of Les Caps Trail, which connects Anse-de-Tabatière to Chemin Saint-Thomas, offers a complete itinerary passing through Montagne Blanche and the Chutes trail. This demanding route combines dense forests, sustained climbs, technical passages, and several lookouts offering unique viewpoints of the valley and the fjord’s steep cliffs. It’s an ideal loop for experienced hikers seeking a memorable challenge.
- Distance: 15 km (7–8 h)
- Elevation gain: 550 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
5. Chutes Trail
This trail offers two route options depending on available time and desired level. The first leads to the 1st waterfall, a superb cascade nestled in the heart of the forest (this section is closed during hunting season). Those who wish to continue can take the longer route to Montagne Blanche (also closed during hunting season), a sustained climb that leads to an even more spectacular panorama of the valley and fjord reliefs.
- Distance: 5 km (2–3 h) or 13.8 km (6–7 h)
- Elevation gain: 210–550 m
- Difficulty: Intermediate to difficult
6. Anse-de-Tabatière Trail
Very short but spectacular, this trail offers one of the park’s most beautiful viewpoints. In just a few minutes, you access an impressive lookout that overlooks the fjord in all its majesty. You can access this trail from the Anse-de-Tabatière parking lot.
- Distance: 0.5 km (10 min)
- Elevation gain: 10 m
- Difficulty: Easy
7. Poètes Trail
The Poètes trail is a long and inspiring route that connects L’Anse-Saint-Jean to Petit-Saguenay. The varied landscapes, wooded sections, and discreet views of the fjord create a peaceful atmosphere ideal for hikers who enjoy walking at length in nature.
- Distance: 9.6 km (5 h)
- Elevation gain: 290 m
- Difficulty: Intermediate
Petit-Saguenay Sector
8. Pinède Trail
This trail crosses a beautiful pine forest and offers a tranquil and enveloping hike. It’s one of the park’s most relaxing routes, ideal for reconnecting with nature in an uncrowded setting. It’s accessible from the Chemin Saint-Étienne parking lot.
- Distance: 8 km (3 h)
- Elevation gain: 120 m
- Difficulty: Intermediate
Baie-Sainte-Marguerite Sector
9A. Le Fjord Trail
Le Fjord Trail in this sector offers 4 routes that adapt to all levels. From the discovery center, you can walk to Halte du Béluga, an easy round trip leading to a popular lookout. A slightly more sustained option leads to the Île Saint-Louis viewpoint, while experienced hikers can continue to the L’Anse-à-Pierrot parking lot. Finally, a fourth variant begins at L’Anse-Creuse and joins Cap de la Boule, offering a long immersive route with several fjord panoramas.
- Distance: 6 to 13.6 km (2 to 8 h)
- Elevation gain: 30 to 240 m
- Difficulty: Easy to difficult
Baie-de-Tadoussac Sector
9B. Le Fjord Trail (Tadoussac → Cap de la Boule)
This trail offers spectacular panoramas of Tadoussac, its cliffs, and the fjord’s mouth, with several variants adapted to different levels. Hikers can choose a short itinerary to the Anse à la Barque viewpoint or continue to the Anse à la Barque hill viewpoint, two short walks. Walkers seeking a challenge can continue to Mont Adéla-Lessar, a higher lookout offering an extended panorama, or even to Cap de la Boule, a long linear route crossing several natural environments.
- Distance: 3.6 to 11.7 km (1 h 30 to 7 h)
- Elevation gain: 30 to 280 m
- Difficulty: Easy to difficult
10. Pointe-de-l’Islet Trail
The Pointe-de-l’Islet Trail is a short 800-meter walk that offers one of the best land-based marine mammal observation sites in Tadoussac. Easy and accessible, this trail follows the shoreline and leads to several viewpoints perfectly situated to admire belugas, porpoises, and sometimes even whales that frequent the Saguenay Fjord’s mouth.
- Distance: 800 m (20 min)
- Elevation gain: 10 m
- Difficulty: Easy
11. Colline-de-l’Anse-à-l’Eau Trail
The Pointe-de-l’Islet Trail is a short route, but it remains absolutely essential. It leads to several magnificent lookouts that offer exceptional views of Tadoussac as well as the unique meeting point between the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence River. This trail is an ideal outing to enjoy the most impressive landscapes in very little time.
- Distance: 1.1 km (45 min)
- Elevation gain: 40 m
- Difficulty: Easy
Winter Hiking in Saguenay Fjord National Park: Snowshoe Trails and Snowy Landscapes
Winter transforms Saguenay Fjord into a spectacular Nordic landscape, where snow-covered cliffs, frosted forests, and the fjord’s depths create an absolutely unique setting. The trails are mainly traveled by snowshoe, offering an immersive experience in silent and preserved nature. Before departing, it’s important to consider weather conditions, wind, and visibility, which can change rapidly in the region.
The Best Trails to Do in Winter
- Statue Trail: Exceptional panorama of Baie-Éternité, ideal on snowshoes when the snow is well packed.
- Les Caps Trail (Baie-Éternité sector): Spectacular fjord lookouts; demanding route reserved for experienced hikers.
- Anse-de-Tabatière Trail: Very short, perfect for quickly accessing a remarkable winter viewpoint.
- Baie-Sainte-Marguerite Trail (Halte du Béluga): Beautiful winter forest hike with the possibility of spotting marine mammals in the distance.
- Fjord Trail (short variants): Certain sections are accessible depending on snow conditions; offers beautiful views of the snowy fjord.
- Montagne Blanche (if accessible outside hunting season): Clear view of the capes and valley, superb in stable winter conditions.
Book your winter activities with Saguenay Aventures
Where to Stay Near Saguenay Fjord National Park
Staying near Saguenay Fjord National Park allows you to fully enjoy its spectacular landscapes and outdoor activities, while benefiting from easy access to trails, lookouts, and fjord cruises. Auberge du Dimanche is an ideal option for visitors wishing to stay directly at the park entrance, offering a practical starting point to explore the sector from morning.
Other Accommodations to Consider Near Saguenay Fjord National Park:
The 10 Best Hotels in Chicoutimi: Complete 2025 Guide
What Are the Best Activities to Do in Saguenay Fjord National Park?
Saguenay Fjord National Park offers a variety of unique experiences that allow you to explore the fjord from different angles, whether from the water, the cliffs, or the trails:
- Cruise: Enjoy an interpretation cruise to admire the fjord from the water and learn more about its geology, wildlife, and history.
- Via ferrata: Try via ferrata to experience a height experience on the fjord’s rock faces while enjoying exceptional panoramas.
- Fishing: Practice fishing in interior lakes or along the fjord, where several species can be observed and caught depending on the season.
- Zodiac outing (Baie-Éternité sector): Board a zodiac to explore the fjord up close and feel the full power of its cliffs and marine landscapes.
- Sea kayaking (Baie-Éternité sector): Paddle in a sea kayak to approach the capes and discover the fjord in a peaceful and immersive atmosphere.
- Fjord maritime shuttles: Take maritime shuttles to move between different fjord points while enjoying unique views of its landscapes.
What to Do in Chicoutimi: 20 Essential Activities
FAQ: Hiking Saguenay Fjord National Park
What is the best time of year to visit Saguenay Fjord National Park?
The best season extends from June to October, when the trails are clear and the fjord panoramas are at their maximum. Winter is also a beautiful option for snowshoeing and snow hiking.
Do you have to pay an access fee to hike in the park?
Yes, park entrance is paid via Sépaq, and certain services (parking, camping, shelters) may also be charged.
How much time should you plan to visit the park?
A stay of 2 to 3 days allows you to discover several trails, but you should plan 4 to 5 days if you want to explore multiple fjord sectors.
Can you observe animals while hiking?
Yes, the park is home to rich biodiversity composed of seabirds, moose, foxes, seals, and even belugas in the Baie-Sainte-Marguerite sector.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
Dogs are allowed on certain park trails, notably the Pointe-de-l’Islet Trail, the Colline-de-l’Anse-à-l’Eau Trail, the Anse-de-Tabatière Trail, and the Statue Trail, which allows you to enjoy beautiful hikes in the company of your animal.
Book your vacation in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
Château Cran Chaud Hotel welcomes you in a beautifully renovated heritage former presbytery, in the heart of Chicoutimi’s historic district. Each hotel room offers a private bathroom, quality bedding, and a warm atmosphere, perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking or exploring the fjord. With free parking, high-speed Wi-Fi, autonomous entry, and flexible service, the hotel combines practicality and authenticity.
