Free road map of Northern Quebec, Canada

Northern Quebec      

From the northern shores of Lac Saint-Jean upstream along the  178 km Ashuapmushuan to Chibougamau, Northern Quebec is an immense,  pristine wilderness that was first tamed by the Innu, then later by  trappers, miners, and loggers. Nowadays you'll find a variety of tourist  attractions, from stargazing to auto racing, horseback riding to  mining. In addition there are resort areas, charming picnic and fishing  spots, and ideal settings for all types of winter and water sports. Be  sure to pick some blueberries, which can be found in abundance in the  region. A 256 km cycling trail circling Lac Saint-Jean, La Veloroute des  Bleuets, is even named after the little blue fruit.      

Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve [C5-6]      

Stretching 4,487 km2 between Chibougamau and Lac Saint-Jean,  this reserve was once crisscrossed by the Innu in search of furs. Today,  interpretive guides are available to take you along their trading  routes, either in a passenger-canoe or on a wilderness camping  expedition. Small-game hunting, fishing for walleye and speckled trout,  camping, hiking, and river rafting in rabaska canoes are popular  activities in this park, and cottages and boats are available for  rental. The reserve is open from May to September.      

Chibougamau [A4] Once part of a vast seaway for the fur trade  linking James Bay with Lac Saint-Jean, Chibougamau (its name means  "Meeting Place") is the largest community in Northern Quebec. The  discovery of a gold-bearing quartz lode in 1903 brought mining interest  to the area, and Chibougamau was eventually founded as a mining village  in 1952. The Chibougamau Mining Centre affords a chance to don a miner's  suit and journey deep into the old Bruneau mine, which operated in the  1960s mainly for copper, gold, and silver. OThe Cree Native Centre  offers services to Natives in Chibougamau and neighboring communities,  and a boutique featuring jewelry, clothing, and souvenirs made by local  Cree artisans.   

DOLBEAU-MlSTASSINI      

[D8] With the choicest selection of restaurants, lodging, and  festivals in the northern Lac-Saint-Jean area, Dolbeau-Mistassini is a  perfect vacation spot for couples and families. The twin towns sport 7  km of beautiful sandy municipal beaches between them. In July, you can  enjoy 10 days of country music, daily activities, and western shows at  the annual Les 10 Jours Western Festival. In August, the Blueberry  Festival highlights one of Dolbeau's most prized crops.      

Roberval [E8] In 1955, Quebec swimmer Jacques Amyot swam 32 km  across Lac Saint-Jean from Peribonka to Roberval, inaugurating the Lac  Saint-Jean International Swimming Marathon, an event that now draws  swimmers from a dozen countries every May. On the shore of Lac  Saint-Jean, Roberval boasts many fine boutiques, where you can even try a  pottery workshop. In February, don't miss the annual Snowmobile Speed  Race on the frozen lake.      

Saint-Felicien [D8]      

Saint-Felicien welcomed its first settlers in 1865, five years  before a great forest fire destroyed everything in its path as far  south as Jonquiere. Today, Saint-Felicien is known for its zoo (where  animals roam the countryside freely and visitors tour the zoo in a small  enclosed train), its car racetrack and museum, and an abundance of  blueberries that grow in the area. Allow some time to stop at the scenic  observation site Chutes-a-Michel on the roaring Ashuapmushuan River.  For a truly spectacular aerial view of Lac Saint-Jean, take a seaplane  ride.      

ATTRACTIONS      

CHIBOUGAMAU      

Chibougamau Mining Centre Gilman Lake Hiking Trails Fleury Mill (1932) Cree Native Centre      

DOLBEAU-MlSTASSINI      

Dolbeau-Mistassini Beach and Marina Centre Astro de  Dolbeau-Mistassini (observatory and planetarium) La bleuetiere  touristique (blueberry picking) Centre Equestre Dolbeau (horseback  riding) Pointe-aux-Peres Park La Magie du Sous-Bois (ecological center)      

ROBERVAL      

Centre historique et aquatique de Roberval (interpretation  center) Veloroute des Bleuets (cycling trail) Mont-Plaisant Campgrounds  La Tournee (boat cruises) Marina      

SAINT-FELICIEN      

Chutes-a-Michel Zoo Sauvage Saint-Felicien Autodrome Saint-Felicien (racetrack)      

Musee de I'Auto (car museum) Saint-Felicien Seaplane Rides