Winter activities

Forillon National Park

Enjoy the wonders of winter at Forillon National Park! Find the perfect trail for cross-country skiing, snowshoe hiking or riding a fat bike.

Winter accommodations

Tiny House Experience

With our partner Griffon Aventure, enjoy a memorable experience in the comfort of fully equipped tiny houses. 

Yurt Experience

Stay in a yurt in the heart of the valley (in partnership with the Centre culturel Le Griffon).

Maintained trails

Explore the majestic Forillon National Park in winter on one of the three beautiful trails that are groomed by a team of volunteers coordinated by our partner, the Centre culturel le Griffon.

Download the map of maintained trail (PDF, 935KB)
Two fatbikes on a trail.
La Vallée Trail

Treat yourself to a moderate cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or biking excursion with fairly flat terrain that is sheltered from the wind. Walk along the L'Anse-au-Griffon River to reach the Le Portage (by ski and snowshoe only). Take a break halfway in the picturesque Répit-Nord shelter.

Length: 9.2 km (round trip) by ski or snowshoe or 6.6 km (round trip) by fatbike.

Access: 1 km from Route 132, at L'Anse-au-Griffon

Le Portage Trail

Whether you enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or winter biking, take a wonderful excursion that could bring you across the park from the north side to the south side. The trail runs along a wooded area to the south and opens onto fields further north.

Length: 20 km (round trip)

Access: 0.5 km from Route 132, near Penouille or 1 km from Route 132, at L'Anse-au-Griffon

La Grande Cavée Trail

Are you an experienced skier who is up for a challenge? Explore this steep trail lined with white pines and impressive oaks that leads to the heart of the park. Keep an eye out for sharp turns... This trail is also frequented by snowshoers.

Length: 3.8 km (loop)

Access: 4 km from the Le Portage parking lot (South access) or 5.2 km from the La Vallée parking lot (North access)

Centre culturel le Griffon has acquired tracing equipment. The paths for snowshoes and fatbikes will now be mechanically maintained. It should reflect on the tracks global quality and on your experience in L'Anse-au-Griffon Valley.

Cross-country skiing

Conditions of maintained trails

For cross-country skiing conditions, follow the Ski Forillon Facebook page.

Rates

A season ticket is $80 for one person, $40 for 12-17 years old and $170 for the whole family; an individual daily ticket is $8.

Tickets can be purchased at the following points of service:

  • The Café de L'Anse (L'Anse-au-Griffon)
  • The Bilodeau convenience store (L'Anse-au-Griffon)
  • Petite École de Forillon (Cap-aux-Os)
  • The Mike Pétro gas station (St-Majorique)
  • Nolin Vélo (Gaspé)

Equipment rental

A family snowshoes on a snowy bridge.

The Centre culturel le Griffon rents out snowshoes for free and offers a fat bike rental service.

For more information

Numéro de téléphone : 1-418-892-5679

Open buildings during the winter

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  • Répit-Nord shelter (La Vallée)
  • Chalet at the starting point of La Vallée and Le Portage located at L'Anse-au-Griffon
  • Service building at the tip of Penouille
  • Service building at Grande-Grave

Off-season access to the park

Although Forillon National Park is not officially in operation from mid-October to the end of May, visitors are still permitted to access it. Many others trails and infrastructures are not maintained, so you are responsible for your own safety. The roads to the North and South areas are closed.

Cleared parking lots
  • Le Portage South parking area, near Penouille
  • Penouille parking area
  • La Vallée parking area at L'Anse-au-Griffon
  • Cap-des-Rosiers Beach parking area
  • Parking area at the lookout on route 132 (near Les Crêtes trail)
  • An area along Grande-Grève Blvd. (the South area access road)
  • An area along Route 132, North Area (entrance to Le Castor trail)
Information
A woman snowshoes with her dog on a leash in winter, next to a cross-country ski trail.
  • Domestic animals are not allowed in shelters or on mechanically traced trails. Elsewhere, dogs are welcomed, but only if they are on a leash.
  • Some circuits are shared by snowshoers, skiers and cyclists. Be cautious.
  • All Parks Canada regulations will apply year-round.
Code of Conduct
  • Please obey the signs on the trails.
  • Keep at a reasonable distance from the skier in front of you.
  • On down-slopes, wait until the person in front of you has reached the bottom before starting down.
  • Move off the trail promptly if you fall or decide to stop.
  • Offer your assistance to anyone in trouble.
  • Whenever you encounter a snowmobile in the process of grooming a trail, please step off the trail in order to let it through. Your cooperation is appreciated!

Emergency

In the event of an emergency, call 911.

To reach the park’s public safety unit:

Numéro de téléphone : 1-888-762-1422(en tout temps)

Related links

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