10 Best Places to See Fall Foliage

Équipe édito
Editorial Team
Updated on August 5, 2024
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier en automne
Steve Deschênes, Sépaq

Every fall, the Québec City Area comes alive in an amazing blaze of autumn colour. Here are the best spots to see the brightest fall foliage. 

Make the most of your journey by consulting the fall foliage map that tracks the changing fall colours across Québec (available in September et October). The best time to visit Québec City for fall colours is the end of September and early October.

  • 1

    Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier

    Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier is a magnet for hikers and photography buffs. More than 100 km (62 miles) of hiking trails lead to some of the park's most scenic landscapes.

  • 2

    Marais du Nord

    Located north of Saint-Charles Lake, the Marais du Nord wetlands are a favourite with bird-watchers (160 species) and nature lovers. A 8-kilometre trail network meanders through this exceptional natural site with various observation points on the lake and the marshes. You may get a chance to see osprey fishing, or a muskrat.

  • 3

    Mont-Sainte-Anne

    Mont-Sainte-Anne is a delight for sports enthusiasts with its hiking and mountain biking trails. It is also possible to make the ascent in the chairlift to enjoy the grandiose views of the St. Lawrence River and to walk back down.

  • 4

    Canyon Sainte-Anne

    The spectacular Canyon Sainte-Anne is best viewed from the easy network of paths and the 3 suspension bridges, one of which is the highest in Québec, at 60 meters above the gorge! A memorable sight in fall!

  • 5

    Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area

    Those who enjoy wildlife watching will not want to miss the thousands of Snow Geese at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area. This major Canadian bird-watching site is the perfect spot to watch the impressive flocks of Snow Geese that migrate every spring and fall. 

  • 6

    Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix

    At Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix, discover stunning panoramas on the St. Lawrence River when hiking the different trails. Also enjoy the migration of flocks of Snow Geese, forming elegant white “Vs” as they fly from the capes!

  • 7

    Massif de Charlevoix

    No need to wait until winter to appreciate the spectacular views of the Massif de Charlevoix. By becoming a 4-season resort, the Massif allows you to enjoy the mountain to its fullest: mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and gondola rides are offered every day until October 14, 2024.

  • 8

    Vallée Bras-du-Nord

    Several options are available to admire the colours in this beautiful valley of the Portneuf region. Whether you prefer hiking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking or canyoning, Vallée Bras-du-Nord offer all these activities!

  • 9

    Portneuf Regional Park

    This immense park boasts exceptional rock formations. Along with hiking trails that span over 70 km, the park features impressive rock faces used for climbing. With its decommissioned hydroelectric station, where you can walk through what’s left of the penstock, Portneuf Regional Park is a surprisingly well-kept secret in the area.

  • 10

    Urban Parks

    You don't need to leave town to get your fill of fresh air and fall foliage, thanks to Québec City's many urban parks: the Plains of Abraham, Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge, Domaine de Maizerets… the choice is yours.

    See all our tips to make the most of the fall season in Québec City and around.


Équipe édito
Editorial Team

As proud residents of our beloved city, we’re delighted to be sharing our tips about the things and places we love most in the Québec City area. Always on the lookout for what's new, we have decades of experience for Québec City's official tourist guide. What a joy for us to help you discover everything this vibrant and welcoming city has to offer!

You'll Also Like

  • A cyclist rides on a bike path in the Old Port of Québec with the Château Frontenac in the background.
    Québec City Bike Paths
    Read
  • Méditation dans un dôme du Centre de l'Hêtre
    5 Ways to Connect With Nature Near Québec City
    Read
  • Strøm Spa Nordique - La rivière Strøm
    7 Ways to Embrace Self‑Care and Wellness Tourism in Québec City
    Read
  • Fatbike dans le Vieux-Québec
    Bike Tours in Québec City
    Read
  • Femme dans l'Escalier casse-cou du Petit-Champlain
    2 Days in Québec City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour
    Read
  • Ice rink
    10 Best Things to Do in Old Québec City
    Read
  • Vue de la porte Saint-Jean en hiver
    12 Historical Gems You Should Not Miss in Old Québec
    Read