Outdoor Sports

Many outdoor activities can be enjoyed in Québec maritime. The ever-presence of nature, even in urban areas, certainly has something to do with this. Each of the activities described in this section constitutes a different way of discovering our region and experiencing the great outdoors to the fullest.

	HIKING Hiking is a perfect way to explore Québec maritime at your own pace. Whether you are a casual walker interested in gentle hikes or a keen long-distance hiker, you can choose from our many trails in national parks and wildlife reserves, through woods or along the water's edge.			CYCLING Cycling is another excellent way to take the time to appreciate Québec maritime's most beautiful panoramas. Whether you only want to bike for a short distance or would rather take off for several hours or even days, Québec maritime has the trails to suit your needs.
	SEA KAYAKING In Québec maritime, you can sea kayak almost anywhere on the St. Lawrence along both shores as well as along the coasts of the Îles de la Madeleine and Anticosti Island. You can rent equipment in many places, as well as go on sea kayaking excursions with or without a guide. If you have never been sea kayaking before, this is your opportunity to try out this calm and environmentally conscious sport.			WHITE WATER PADDLING The Bonaventure, Magpie, York, Dartmouth, Saint-Jean and Sainte-Marguerite rivers are all renowned for their extraordinarily clear waters, high quality white water or simply for the beauty of their natural surroundings. Regardless of whether you are young or not so young, a beginner or an expert, our seasoned guides will ensure your outing is a memorable one.
	SCUBA DIVING The rich diversity and colours of the St. Lawrence seabed will surprise you. Several scuba diving sites await you in Côte-Nord, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie. Experienced divers will also want to explore our shipwrecks such as the Empress of Ireland, which sank off Pointe-au-Père (Rimouski) in 1914.			WIND SPORTS Wind is nearly ever-present in the Îles de la Madeleine and along the coasts of Gaspésie and Côte-Nord. However, far from being limited by this, the people of Québec maritime have harnessed the wind and made it part of their recreational activities. Here, visitors can try out sand yachting or power kiting. Sailing enthusiasts are also in for a treat.
	ROCK CLIMBING Saint-André-de-Kamouraska is considered the Mecca of sports climbing in Québec. Over 100 climbing routes for all levels await you on these cliff walls. It is up to you to find the one that suits you!			HORSEBACK RIDING A horseback ride is a great way to discover our region and see it from a different perspective. The scenery of Gaspésie and Anticosti Island will take your breath away!
	QUAD The vastness of Québec maritime's natural environment makes this region a favourite among quad enthusiasts. In Gaspésie alone, over 2000 km (1250 mi.) of trails will take you to some truly unforgettable spots, while one of the trails in Côte-Nord leads to a spectacular lookout over the Saguenay Fjord.