{"id":18393,"date":"2021-09-23T14:52:36","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T18:52:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lebaroudeur.ca\/fjord-du-saguenay\/"},"modified":"2024-06-21T16:47:01","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T20:47:01","slug":"saguenay-fjord-north-shore-or-south-shore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lebaroudeur.ca\/en_us\/saguenay-fjord-north-shore-or-south-shore\/","title":{"rendered":"SAGUENAY FJORD : NORTH SHORE OR SOUTH SHORE?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re planning a 1st<\/sup> trip in Quebec<\/strong>, there is a good chance that, like 90% of road trippers, you want to discover the Saguenay Fjord<\/strong>. And you are right! Everything in this area is simply beautiful \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

It\u2019s part of the favourite destination fora road trip in Quebec<\/strong>, but van packers never what road they should take, what side they should explore or what is the best road between the south and the north?<\/p>\n

(written by Christine Briffold – Travel in Canada)<\/em><\/p>\n

Saguenay Fjord, what road should we take?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Last summer, we decided to go back and took the time to enjoy both sides. And believe me, no matter what side, you will see unbelievable landscapes.<\/p>\n

In this article, I selected some exceptional places for you on north and south shore to inspire you. And to facilitate your life, I localized them on the Map of the Saguenay Fjord<\/strong>, right down here.<\/p>\n

Click on the map to enlarge it. Let’s go!<\/p>\n

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What we probably never told you on the fjord\u2026 <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Are you ready to hear the truth? You asked for it…
\nWell, the road along the fjord isn\u2019t panoramic. I said it.<\/p>\n

By that, I want to say that it doesn\u2019t give us a nice open view on the fjord from the road, either on the north (Road 172)<\/strong>or on the south shore (Road 170)<\/strong> !<\/p>\n

In both cases, you\u2019ll need to leave the main road to see the fjord and its wonderful landscapes.<\/p>\n

On both sides, it doesn’t make the sceneries less beautiful all along the road. You\u2019ll simply see forests and lakes landscapes all along the road instead a view of the fjord.<\/p>\n

So, ready to discover some unique places at the fjord?<\/p>\n

On the north shore of Saguenay…<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The spit of the coast at Saint-Fulgence<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Located at 15km from the city of Saguenay (Chicoutimi) and 110 km from Tadoussac<\/p>\n

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The flats of St-Fulgence \u00a9 Photo credits : St\u00e9phane Morvan<\/p><\/div>\n

Why do I talk about this long landform of 650 m<\/strong>, composed of sand, rock and gravel?<\/p>\n

Well, because the spit of the coast<\/strong> is the place where the Saguenay River and the Saguenay Fjord meet. In other words, that’s where the fjord begins<\/strong>! In addition, it juts into the water perpendicular to the shore instead of parallel, and that’s unique<\/p>\n

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The spit of the coast at St-Fulgence \u00a9 Cr\u00e9dit photo : St\u00e9phane Morvan<\/p><\/div>\n

Good to know before you stop stop when the tide is low, in other cases, the spit of the coast will be under water and you won\u2019t be able to see anything\u2026 It\u2019s easily accessible because it\u2019s directly on the road 172 going to Tadoussac (well; obviously, there\u2019s only one road\u2026).<\/p>\n

There’s no parking place for visitors, but it’s large enough to stop on the side of the road. If you plan to take a walk, l<\/a>earn about<\/a> the tides<\/a><\/strong> !<\/p>\n

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Some travellers enjoying nice weather on the spit of the coast \u00a9 Photo credit : St\u00e9phane Morvan<\/p><\/div>\n

Would you like to know a little secret?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To fully enjoy the view on the spit of the coast, the Saguenay River and the beginning of the Fjord, the best is to go to the belvedere<\/strong> located at the top of theRock Cape.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll be honest, it\u2019s not easy to find, because it\u2019s on the CIBRO site (an old interpretation and bird rehabilitation center) that closed in 2018. There are no more signalization panels\u2026<\/p>\n

But, we tested for you, so we’re sharing you the info \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

Coming from Chicoutimi, just leave route 172 to reach the village of Saint-Fulgence, cross it via rue du Saguenay and turn right on Chemin Cap des Roches<\/strong> located between 2 individual houses (before arriving at the top of the hill).<\/p>\n

There’s a parking lot around 150 meter after. This is the starting point.<\/p>\n

If you have a GPS or the equivalent, you can enter the old CIBRO address, 100 chemin Cap des Roches, Saint-Fulgence, Qu\u00e9bec, G0V 1S0. And if you can’t find it, ask a Fulgencien
\nor a Fulgencienne \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

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View from the Cap des Roches belvedere in St-Fulgence \u00a9 Photo credit : St\u00e9phane Morvan<\/p><\/div>\n

Once in the parking lot, you can walk around the barrier to access the path (not maintained, but wide and clearly visible) which will take you directly to a platform-type belvedere in less than 10 minutes.<\/p>\n

It goes up quickly to the point of view (it\u2019s at the top anyway\u2026), but it\u2019s really easy. And the view is worth it, isn’t it?<\/p>\n

Sainte-Rose-du-Nord village<\/strong><\/h3>\n

45 km from Saguenay city (Chicoutimi) and 85 km from Tadoussac<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Panoramic

View from the platform trail belvedere in Ste-Rose-du-Nord \u00a9 Photo credit: St\u00e9phane Morvan<\/p><\/div>\n

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View from the Quai trail in Ste-Rose-du-Nord \u00a9 Photo credit : St\u00e9phane Morvan<\/p><\/div>\n

This charming little village is located on the edge of the Saguenay Fjord and is nicknamed the pearl of the Fjord.<\/strong> Well, it’s tiny, but the stop is worth it, the pictures above prove it!<\/p>\n

2 good tips to admire beautiful views of the fjord:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Take one of the dock trails, at least the red trail, a small loop of 300 m which leads to a pretty belvedere. There are a lot of people in the summer, but it’s beautiful …<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n
  2. For a higher panorama, go to the belvederes of the
    \nPlatform trail, easy level, approx. 1 km round trip.
    \nParking at the start of the trail, from the street de la
    \nMontagne.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Saguenay Fjord National Park<\/strong>
    \nBaie-Ste-Marguerite sector<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    100 km from city of Saguenay (Chicoutimi) and 30 km from Tadoussac<\/em><\/p>\n

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    Baie Ste-Marguerite \u00a9 Photo credit : St\u00e9phane Morvan<\/p><\/div>\n

    Saguenay Fjord National Park<\/strong> is divided into several sectors that extend both on the north shore and on the south shore. It is a must to fully enjoy the fjord. Entrance fees are $ 8.75 per person per day, regardless of the sector (free from 0 to 17 years old).<\/p>\n

    For the Baie Ste-Marguerite sector<\/strong>, our favorite is the Fjord trail<\/strong>, on the part that goes from the discovery and service center to theBeluga Stop<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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    View from the Baie Ste-Marguerite belvedere \u00a9 Photo credit : St\u00e9phane Morvan<\/p><\/div>\n

    6 km round trip, easy level<\/strong>, accessible on foot or by bike (rental on site, preferable if you have little time).<\/p>\n

    It was not the beauty of the trail itself that charmed us (we usually prefer less developed, wilder trails), but the splendid panorama of the fjord<\/strong> from the Beluga Stop lookout.<\/p>\n

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    Low tide allows you to go onto the Baie Ste-Marguerite<\/em>
    \u00a9 Photo credit : St\u00e9phane Morvan<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

    And … also because the area is famous for watching belugas.<\/strong> Well, that was easy to guess with the name of the belvedere ;-). So take your binoculars and don’t leave after 5 minutes! Their playground is large, the belugas are not there waiting for you …<\/p>\n

    In any case, the atmosphere is magical at sunset in good weather and as a bonus, you can take a nice walk on the beach at low tide.<\/p>\n

    <\/h5>\n

    You’re hungry? The good local plan!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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    Gourmet and panoramic stop at the Vieille Ferme \u00a9 Photo credit : St\u00e9phane Morvan <\/strong> <\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

    Stop by the La Vieille Ferme<\/strong> agrotourism farm in Saint-Fulgence!<\/p>\n

    It’s peaceful, it’s rural, we can have a coffee and a homemade cookie (yummy) on the small terrace while contemplating the view, it just feels good. Local and organic products are in the spotlight.<\/p>\n

    We particularly like their little restaurant-market Au P’tit March\u00e9:<\/strong> vegetables from the garden, dishes to be reheated, hummus, yogurt, local cheeses, rillettes …<\/p>\n

    Open daily from late June to early September, then weekends until Thanksgiving (2nd<\/sup> Monday in October).<\/p>\n

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    Where to stop for the night?<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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    View from the belvedere of Cap Jaseux Saint-Fulgence<\/em>
    \u00a9 Photo credit : St\u00e9phane Morvan<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

    Settle in at Cap Jaseux Adventure Park<\/strong>, in Saint-Fulgence!<\/p>\n

    But why there?<\/p>\n

    Well for a bunch of good reasons, such as:<\/p>\n