Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking in Shawinigan
Ahh! Nature!
By France St-Amant
Nordic sports lover you’ll be pampered in Shawi! You can snowshoe in all areas of the city, in nature or even close to downtown Shawinigan, because some trails are located in the calm of the forest, while being close to services.
You can therefore have the best of both worlds at the Parc de l’Île Melville since it has the advantage of being close to downtown and offers 12 km of intermediate and expert level trails. Some good trails with your family or friends. One of the most popular or my favorite is the 4 km intermediate trail which is even marked with reflective plates for evening walks with headlamp. Above all, take the time to stop at the belvedere. The view is superb! The starting point is at Parc de l’île Melvile, Secteur des chutes. This activity is free and dogs on a leash are accepted.
La Mauricie National Park also offers a good choice of snowshoe trails of various levels (8 easy, intermediate and difficult marked trails for a total of 54 km). You will be in the middle of the forest, and you will be able to enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the Saint-Maurice River or of the surrounding nature. Some trails even offer heated shelters to get those flushed cheeks warm. You don’t have any equipment? No problem, you can rent snowshoes, crampons, walking sticks and even a baby carrier on site.
Pssst! The Sentier national de la Mauricie crosses the National Park.
We like: the Rivière-à-la-Pêche service centre, well equipped for a good time near the fireplace on the terrace or for its dining room where you can enjoy your picnic.
In the Sainte-Flore sector is hidden a little treasure that will give you access to 15 km of trails in a valley bordered by a stream. Perfect for an outing with family or friends, at the Vallée Rocanigan you can practice snowshoeing and end the day with a good hot chocolate in a heated yurt.
Pssst! You can easily spend the day there by bringing your skates. There is a trail and a skating rink on the lake. There is also a slide and a kicksled trail. Fun guaranteed! Rental of snowshoes and kicksled on site.
Complete your outing by heading towards the Coeur villageois of Sainte-Flore. Warm up with a good coffee at the Café Bucolique or grab an aperitif at Zélé.
Here are other very interesting suggestions for snowshoeing and enjoying our magical winter:
- The cross-country ski and snowshoeing club ‘Le Rocher’ offers 13 km of trails, starting from the Grand-Mère golf club parking lot. The trails crisscross the golf club and go along the Saint-Maurice River in some places. The levels of tracks are easy and intermediate.
- NEW! The Labyrinthe Coureur des Bois awaits you with its 4 km of easy and intermediate trails. Dogs on a leash are allowed.
- For smaller outings, do not hesitate to try these free trails (dogs on a leash allowed): Parc de la Rivière Grand-Mère, the trails of Parc Glenada and the Thibaudeau-Ricard which runs along the Rivière Shawinigan towards the Baie de Shawinigan. These are ideal routes for families!
PSTT! You can rent snowshoes at the Dépanneur du parc or at 2800 du Parc and enjoy its magnificent Café Bistro.
Other sites near Shawinigan:
- Parc de la Gabelle: Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, 10 km, intermediate to advanced, round trip.
- Domaine Enchanteur: Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, 4 km, round trip.
- Parc récréoforestier de Saint-Mathieu-du-parc: 19.8 km of marked trails, 11.5 km of which are part of the national trail.
Hooray for snow!
