Winter activities
Forillon National Park
Enjoy the pleasures of winter on the Forillon peninsula. Hike from icy shores to snowy mountains, ski expertly groomed trails and stay in a well-equipped yurt. Find here the latest information on access to the park, services offered and conditions for hiking or cross-country skiing.
Maintained Trails
On foot, on snowshoes, on a fatbike or on cross-country skis, explore Forillon in winter on trails maintained by a team of volunteers coordinated by our partner, the Centre culturel Le Griffon.
La Vallée Trail
Treat yourself to a moderate cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or biking excursion with fairly flat terrain that is sheltered from the wind. Walk along the L'Anse-au-Griffon River to reach the Le Portage (by ski and snowshoe only). Take a break halfway in the picturesque Répit-Nord shelter.
Length: 9.2 km (round trip) by ski or snowshoe or 6.6 km (round trip) by fatbike
Access: 1 km from Route 132, at l'Anse-au-Griffon
Le Portage Trail
Whether you enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or winter biking, take a wonderful excursion that could bring you across the park from the north side to the south side. The trail runs along a wooded area to the south and opens onto fields further north. Length: 20 km (round trip)
Length: 20 km (roundtrip)
Access: 0.5 km from Route 132, near Penouille or 1 km from Route 132, at L'Anse-au-Griffon
La Grande Cavée Trail
Are you an experienced skier who is up for a challenge? Explore this steep trail lined with white pines and impressive oaks that leads to the heart of the park. Keep an eye out for sharp turns... This trail is also frequented by snowshoers.
Length: 3,8 km (loop)
Access: 4 km from the Le Portage parking lot (South access) or 5.2 km from the La Vallée parking lot (North access)
The tracked trails are for the exclusive use of cross-country skiers. A groomed path has been created for walkers, snowshoers and fatbikers all along the ski trails.
Cross-country skiing
Rates
A season ticket is $90 for one person, $45 for 12-17 years old and $190 for the whole family; an individual daily ticket is $9.
Tickets can be purchased at the following places:
- Dépanneur Bilodeau (L'Anse-au-Griffon)
- Magasin général Forillon (Cap-aux-Os)
- Café de la Traverse (Saint-Majorique)
- Filets sports gaspésiens (St-Majorique)
- Nolin vélo (Gaspé)
Conditions of maintained trails
More information about cross-country skiing conditions (Ski Forillon Facebook page)
Equipment rental and borrowing
Our partner, Centre culturel Le Griffon, lends and rents a range of outdoor equipment.
For more information, visit the Centre culturel Le Griffon website (French only)
The kicksled makes everyone happy!
Borrow snowshoes of all sizes.
Try a cross-country ski sled.
Off-season access to the park
Although Forillon National Park is not officially in operation from mid-October to the end of May, visitors are still permitted to access it. Many others trails and infrastructures are not maintained, so you are responsible for your own safety. The roads to the North and South areas are closed.
Cleared parking lots
- Le Portage South parking area, near Penouille
- Penouille parking area
- La Vallée parking area at L'Anse-au-Griffon
- Cap-des-Rosiers Beach parking area
- Parking area at the lookout on route 132 (near Les Crêtes trail)
- An area along Grande-Grève Blvd. (the South area access road)
- An area along Route 132, North Area (entrance to Le Castor trail)
Open buildings during the winter
- Répi-Nord shelter (La Vallée)
- Chalet at the starting point of La Vallée and Le Portage located at L'Anse-au-Griffon
- Service building at the tip of Penouille
- Service building at Grande-Grave
Best practices on trail
- Please obey the signs on the trails.
- Keep at a reasonable distance from the skier in front of you.
- On down-slopes, wait until the person in front of you has reached the bottom before starting down.
- Move off the trail promptly if you fall or decide to stop.
- Offer your assistance to anyone in trouble.
- Whenever you encounter a snowmobile in the process of grooming a trail, please step off the trail in order to let it through. Your cooperation is appreciated!
Information
- Domestic animals are not allowed in shelters or on mechanically traced trails. Elsewhere, dogs are welcomed, but only if they are on a leash.
- Some circuits are shared by snowshoers, skiers and cyclists. Be cautious.
- For more information on park regulations, visit our Visitor guideline webpage.
Emergency
In the event of an emergency, call 911.
To reach the park’s public safety unit, call 1-888-762-1422
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