Hiking Forillon National Park (Gaspésie)
3-Day Gaspésie Trip from Montreal
Duration: 3 days
What are the best trails in Forillon National Park?
Three trails stand out: Les Graves coastal trail (15 km, seals, easy to moderate), Mont-Saint-Alban summit (7.5 km, 272 m, 360° view), and the Cap Bon-Ami cliff walk (4 km, easy, ocean cliffs). Season is June to October. Entry ~10.20 CAD/adult (Parks Canada). Nearest town is Gaspé, 15 km west.
Forillon: where the Gaspé Peninsula meets the Gulf
Parc national Forillon occupies the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, where the Appalachian Mountains end and the Gulf of Saint-Laurent begins. It is one of the most visually dramatic landscapes in eastern Canada: limestone cliffs rising 180 m directly from the sea, dense boreal forest, coastal meadows, and — if you are patient — common seals hauled out on the rocks below.
The park was created in 1970 as one of Canada’s first national parks east of Ontario. This history matters because it means Forillon has been protected and trail-maintained for over five decades. The infrastructure is solid: well-marked trails, working visitor facilities, and campgrounds that book out in July but still have availability in June and September.
Getting here requires commitment. Forillon sits 700 km from Québec City and roughly 950 km from Montréal. Most visitors who make the trip are on a Gaspésie road trip that includes Percé, the Chic-Chocs, and Forillon as a multi-day circuit. If you are going to drive that distance, you want to know exactly which trails are worth your time.
This guide covers the four trails that matter most.
The key trails
Les Graves — moderate coastal trail (15 km one-way)
Les Graves is the most characteristic Forillon experience: a long coastal walk along the southern shoreline of the peninsula from L’Anse-à-Valleau to Cap Gaspé, the park’s furthest point. The trail passes through fishing village remnants, open meadows, and rugged rocky shore where common seals (phoque commun) haul out on exposed ledges.
Distance: 15 km one-way (plus 3 km to the tip and back). Plan for a full day or arrange a shuttle between the two endpoints. Elevation gain: Minimal. The trail hugs the coast with short climbs over headlands. Wildlife: Common seals are essentially guaranteed from July to September. Black bears occasionally cross the open sections near former farmsteads. Best season: Mid-June to early October.
The trail also passes through Une Tournée dans les Parages, an interpretive section near the village foundations that explains the forced expropriation of families when the park was created — a complex history worth understanding.
Mont-Saint-Alban — moderate summit (7.5 km return)
The firetower summit at 272 m elevation is the best single viewpoint in Forillon. On a clear morning the panorama includes: the Gulf of Saint-Laurent to the north, the Bay of Gaspé to the south, the Forillon peninsula below, and on exceptional days the silhouette of Percé Rock some 60 km southwest.
Distance: 7.5 km return from the trailhead on the north side road. Elevation gain: 272 m, gradual. Duration: 3 to 4 hours return. The firetower: The restored metal tower at the summit can be climbed for an even higher vantage point. Not suitable for those with vertigo.
This is the trail to prioritise if you only have one day in the park. Combine it with a stop at Cap Bon-Ami immediately after.
Cap Bon-Ami cliff walk — easy (4 km return)
The most accessible trail in the park, and the one that delivers the most dramatic visual reward per kilometre. The path traces the edge of limestone sea cliffs above a pebble beach. Common seals use the beach year-round.
Distance: 4 km return. Elevation gain: 80 m. Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours. Best use: morning walk before Mont-Saint-Alban, or an afternoon finish.
The Cap-Bon-Ami campground sits 300 m from this trailhead, making it the park’s best base for hiking without a car shuffle.
Une Tournée dans les Parages — easy interpretive (7 km loop)
A gentler loop through the historical landscape of the Les Graves coast, with bilingual interpretive panels explaining the lives of the fishing families who lived here before 1970. Appropriate for families with children aged 6 and up. The route passes reconstructed fishing stages and restored heritage buildings.
Distance: 7 km loop. Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours. Best for: families, those interested in Gaspésie history and heritage.
Wildlife guide for Forillon
Common seals (phoque commun)
Forillon is one of the most reliable places in eastern Canada to see common seals at close range without a boat. The best spots are below Cap Bon-Ami (visible from the cliff trail above), along Les Graves, and at Cap Gaspé tip. Bring binoculars — the seals are visible from the trails but close approaches disturb them. Estimated population using the park’s coastal rocks: 100–200 animals.
Black bears
Black bears (ours noir) inhabit the entire park and are occasionally encountered on the woodland sections of Les Graves and the Monte trails. Forillon rangers are experienced at managing bear encounters. Specific rules: no food in tents (bear boxes are provided at campgrounds), make noise on trail in berry season (July–August), carry bear spray. The park averages several bear–human encounters per season; most are non-threatening visual encounters.
Seabirds
The limestone cliffs above the Gulf host Northern gannet colonies and significant populations of black-legged kittiwakes and common murres, visible from the cliff-top trails in June and July. The best seabird viewing concentrations are off Cap Bon-Ami looking north toward the open Gulf.
Camping in Forillon
Cap-Bon-Ami campground
The best located campground for hiking. 55 sites for tents and RVs, directly adjacent to the Cap Bon-Ami trailhead on the north shore. Showers, picnic tables, food storage lockers. Reservations open in January through the Parks Canada Reservation Service. Fills completely for July weekends within days of opening.
Des-Rosiers campground
Larger (200+ sites), on the south side of the park near the main park office. More infrastructure, more families. Full services. Better for longer stays with children; less well-positioned for the northern trails.
Backcountry camping
Three primitive sites along the Les Graves corridor allow one-night stops for through-hikers. Composting toilets only. Permits must be obtained from the visitor centre. A good option for hikers doing the full coastal traverse in two days rather than one.
Practical information
- Park address: 122 boulevard de Forillon, Gaspé, QC
- Entry fee: ~10.20 CAD/adult, ~5.10 CAD/youth (6–16), under 6 free (Parks Canada pricing 2026)
- Discovery Pass: ~75 CAD/adult (annual, all Parks Canada properties)
- Visitor centre: Open June–October, 8h–17h (hours vary). Staff are knowledgeable and trail conditions boards are accurate.
- Season: Full services June–mid-October. Minimal services off-season.
- Cell coverage: Very limited in the park interior. Download offline maps before arrival.
Getting to Forillon
By car from Québec City: Route 20 East to Rivière-du-Loup, then Route 132 along the south shore through Rivière-du-Loup, Rimouski, Matapédia, and east along the Gaspé Peninsula. Total: approximately 7 to 8 hours, 700 km. Break the drive with a night in Rimouski or Carleton-sur-Mer.
By car from Montréal: Same route, roughly 10 hours, 950 km. Plan for at least two driving days.
By air: Air Canada and inter-provincial carriers offer seasonal flights between Montréal (YUL) and Gaspé (YGP). With car rental in Gaspé (~80 CAD/day), this cuts total travel time significantly. Recommended for travellers with limited time.
For a curated guided experience of the Gaspésie including transport:
3-day Gaspésie trip from Montréal — an organised multi-day circuit that handles driving and includes key stops. Useful for visitors without a car or those who prefer not to navigate the long Route 132 solo.
Combining Forillon with the wider Gaspésie loop
Most visitors include Forillon in a 5–7 day Gaspésie circuit:
- Montréal → Percé (fly or drive; 2 days with Bonaventure Island)
- Percé → Gaspé → Forillon (1–2 days; Cap Bon-Ami, Mont-Saint-Alban)
- Gaspé → Parc de la Gaspésie (Chic-Chocs, Mont-Albert)
- Sainte-Anne-des-Monts → return via north shore or south shore
This circuit covers the best of Gaspésie without backtracking. The north shore return (Route 132 along the Saint-Laurent) is the more scenic option but adds 2–3 hours to the total drive. See the Gaspésie trekking guide for multi-day backcountry planning.
Related guides
- Best hikes in Québec
- Gaspésie and Chic-Chocs trekking
- Hiking Mont-Tremblant National Park
- Day trips from Québec City
Frequently asked questions about Hiking Forillon National Park (Gaspésie)
When is Forillon National Park open for hiking?
The park is accessible year-round but full services (visitor centre, campgrounds, all trails) operate from early June to mid-October. Some trails may have snow or ice in May and late October. The prime hiking window is mid-June to late September.Can I see seals and bears in Forillon?
Common seals (phoque commun) are regularly spotted on the rocks along Les Graves trail and near Cap Gaspé. Black bears (ours noir) are present and occasionally seen on woodland trails, particularly in berry season (July–August). Standard bear awareness applies: make noise, carry spray, store food properly.How do I get to Forillon National Park?
Forillon is 15 km from Gaspé town. By car from Québec City: roughly 700 km, 7–8 hours via Route 132 along the south shore. From Montréal: approximately 950 km, 9–10 hours. The most efficient approach from outside the region is to fly to Gaspé (YGP, seasonal flights from Montréal). Car rental in Gaspé is essential.Is camping available in Forillon?
Yes — two main campgrounds: Cap-Bon-Ami (tents and RVs, near the north cliff trailhead) and Des-Rosiers (larger, family-oriented). Both require advance booking through Parks Canada Reservation Service. Backcountry camping is available at several primitive sites. Full services close late October.Are there entry fees for Forillon?
Yes. Forillon is a Parks Canada national park with its own fee structure (distinct from Sépaq). Daily adult entry approximately 10.20 CAD in 2026. The Parks Canada Discovery Pass (~75 CAD/adult annual) covers all federal parks including Mingan Archipelago and Forillon.
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