Cross-country ski itineraries

La Mauricie National Park

There are different ways to explore La Mauricie National Park in winter. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced skier, these cross-country ski itineraries will let you experience winter in all its splendour:

Expedition itinerary

Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind, protected natural area, where winter reveals all its magic. Follow these self-guided cross-country skis and winter camping trails for your 1-or 2-night stay at one of five backcountry winter camping sites. Depending on the expedition you choose, the cross-country trails to the camping sites range from 5 to 15 km. A waxing room and equipment rental service are available at the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center and along the way, you can take a break at one of the heated shelters equipped with wood stoves. This moderate-level expedition is intended for individuals with prior experience in cross-country skiing and self-guided winter camping.

The marked trails – generally wide and open – cross forests, varied terrain, and vast snowy landscapes. The trail sometimes runs alongside small streams and offers superb views of frozen lakes, snowy shores, and wooded hills.

Winter camping sites accessible by cross-country ski trail

A person in a snowsuit is standing near a grey tent set up on snowy ground, in the middle of a forest of bare trees with the sun piercing through the branches in the background.

Lac Isaïe 1

How to get there
  • Entrance: Saint-Jean-des-Piles
  • Depart from the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center
  • To reach the site, travel 9.5 km on trails No. 2 (moderate trail), No. 4 (easy trail), and No. 5 (difficult trail), on a classic cross-country ski trail.
How to get back

To vary the return route to the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center, you can travel 5 km on multi-use trail No. 3 (moderate trail) on a classic cross-country ski trail.

A person on cross-country skis, seen from behind, is walking along a wide snowy trail with well-defined tracks, framed by tall snow-covered trees under a clear sky.

Lac à la Pêche 1 and 2

How to get there
  • Entrance: Saint-Jean-des-Piles
  • Depart from the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center
  • To reach the Lac-à-la-Pêche 2 site, travel 7.6 km on multi-use trail No. 3 (moderate trail) on a classic cross-country ski trail.
  • To reach the Lac-à-la-Pêche 1 site, travel 10.5 km on multi-use trail No. 3 (moderate trail) on a classic cross-country ski trail.
How to get back

Take trails Nos. 7, 6, 4, and 2 – moderate and beginner trails – back to the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center, for a total distance of 16.4 km of classic cross-country ski trails.

A person on cross-country skis, seen from behind, is moving along a snowy trail that borders a frozen snowy lake, under a sunny blue sky surrounded by a forest.

Lac Marie 1

How to get there
  • Entrance: Saint-Jean-des-Piles
  • Depart from the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center
  • To reach the site, travel 11.5 km on moderate-level trails Nos. 2, 4, and 6 (moderate trail) either by classic cross-country skiing or skate-skiing.
How to get back

Take a 20-km return trip from the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center via beginner-level trails Nos. 16, 15 and 10, making a loop.

A person on cross-country skis wearing a red toque and black coat glides down a snowy trail, framed by snow-laden spruce branches in the foreground, with a second skier visible further away in the background.

Lac Édouard 5

How to get there
  • Entrance: Saint-Jean-des-Piles
  • Depart from the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center
  • To reach the site, travel 15 km on beginner-level trails Nos. 10, 15 and 16 either by classic cross-country skiing or skate-skiing.
How to get back

Continue along trail No. 16, then take trails Nos. 6, 4, and 10 back to the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center. Distance – 16.6 km.

 

Visit the Winter accommodations webpage for other accommodation options, as well as details about winter camping such as registration required, available services and rules.

 

Information: Planning a cross-country and winter camping ski trip? Send us your questions at lamauricie@pc.gc.ca. Once on site, feel free to ask Parks Canada staff for advice on planning your expedition.

 

Itineraries for easy and moderate trails

For cross-country ski enthusiasts who want to learn, progress or push themselves further.

The departure of all circuits suggested below start at the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center.

Classic cross-country skiing

Easy trails

3.2-km loop: Trail No. 11, consisting of two small loops joined by connector trail No. 12, is an easy, flat trail ideal for young families and beginners.


10-km round trip: Take trail No. 3 and head to the Isaïe shelter. Take a few minutes to warm up and then head back.


Moderate Trails

10-km round trip: Ski to the Pimbina shelter area on trails Nos. 10 and 4. Take the opportunity to enjoy a break in the sun on the outdoor benches before beading back to your starting point.

25-km loop: Along your route via trails Nos. 3, 7, 6, 4, and 2, you will come across 4 perfect shelters to recharge with a small snack.

Skate-skiing

Easy trails

11-km round trip: Between the Rivière à la Pêche Service Center and the Pimbina shelter, trail No. 4 offers you beautiful views of Bouchard and Pimbina lakes.


Moderate trails

33-km loop: Follow trails Nos. 3 and 7, take a break at the Marie shelter, then continue along Lac Édouard on trail No. 16 and head back to the service center on trails Nos. 15 and 10.

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