Tucked between Ontario and the heart of Quebec, just on the border, Abitibi-Témiscamingue is a region few travellers know but many fall in love with. Sprawling across 57,000 square kilometres (22,292 sq. mi) of boreal forest, glittering lakes, and rich Anicinabe (Algonquin) culture, this off-the-beaten-path destination rewards those who venture beyond the usual tourist maps. From historic gold mines and moose encounters to boreal gastronomy and indie music festivals, this one-week itinerary in Abitibi-Témiscamingue explores the full scope of what makes this region unforgettable.
Day 1: Val-d’Or, In the Footsteps of Gold Seekers
Start your journey where Quebec’s gold rush began in the 1920s with the discovery of the Cadillac Fault: Val-d’Or.
Step into the shoes of miners at the Cité de l’Or, descending 91 metres (300 feet) underground into the former Lamaque mine. I had a blast and really loved discovering this side of my province’s history that I knew nothing about. Going underground is impressive, and I could only imagine what miners went through! Kids will love the geocaching activity that takes place with a GPS receiver in hand.
Follow up with a stroll through the restored 1930s Bourlamaque Historic Village where miners and their families used to live. You’ll love to photograph the cute little log houses, and an audio guide will explain it all to you as you wander around town. Make sure to visit the “museum” house where everything was kept just like back in the day.
Learn the region’s deep connection to geology at the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Mineralogical Museum in Malartic—don’t miss the earthquake simulator and a real moon rock. Then, recharge outdoors in the Forêt Récréative, a 50 km² playground perfect for hiking or tackling its 800-metre obstacle course.
Don’t miss the Rotary Tower’s sunset musical spiel, it’s a great way to get a 360-degree view of the valley.
What to Eat & Drink in Val-d’Or
- Microbrasserie Le Prospecteur: local craft beers and hearty fare. Awesome rooftop patio.
- Balthazar Café: artisanal coffee, good sandwiches and salads, and gourmet brunch.
- Bar Bistro L’Entracte: A local favourite with a casual-chic vibe and great fares.
Wanna discover Abitibi-Témiscamingue? Here’s an awesome podcast!
I had the honour of being a guest on the well-known Amateur Traveler Podcast, Chris Christensen’s baby. We chatted about a 1-week road trip in Abitibi-Témiscamingue! You’ll uncover 1h 16 minutes of the best things to do, places to be and food to discover to make the region your next best travel memory within Quebec! Listen now:
Travel to Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Quebec – Amateur Traveler Episode 946Where to Sleep in Val-d’Or
When I’m around Val-d’Or, I generally stay at the Hotel Forestel or at L’Escale Hotel Suites, bigger hotels that offer all the amenities, but if you’re looking for more of a B&B vibe, then try Auberge L’Orpailleur!
For something original and unusual, I recommend you head to Station Boréale, awesome little igloo-like tents that will keep you close to nature. Entre Lemoine et l’arbre is also a peaceful eco-lodge with stilted cabins perched 15 feet above the ground, each with a stunning view of Lac Lemoine.
Day 2: Amos-Harricana, Nature and Indigenous Perspectives
On the second day, I suggest you head north to Amos, a city built atop an ancient esker, a fluvioglacial formation that still provides its pristine drinking water. And yes, you can buy bottles of it to travel with!
Visit the Municipal Well, an immersive Moment Factory installation about this geological phenomenon. Then, explore Anisipi, a powerful multi-sensory experience that shares the Anicinape worldview through interactive storytelling along forest trails in Pikogan, the local indigenous community.
Animal lovers will be moved by a visit to Refuge Pageau, a wildlife sanctuary home to moose, wolves, porcupines (including a Chewbacca look-alike I became buddies with), and many more.
Toast to the day at Miellerie La Grande Ourse, a meadery offering ready-to-drink cocktails made with boreal honey and herbs. You can eat there or just have a drink!
If you love bugs or want to get more familiar with them, my go-to guy is Tommy from Labyrinthe des Insectes. If you’re scared, he’ll slowly ease you into being comfortable enough to hold a snake or a tarantula, but only if you want to. It’s one of the most memorable places I’ve been to, and I would have bet I would have never held a snake, trust me!
Where to Eat & Drink in Amos
- L’Amalgame Pub Urbain: try steak grilled on a hot rock.
- Miellerie Grande Ourse: taste their beekeeper’s mojito!
- Bistro Méditérranéo: for shish taouk and falafel with a northern twist.
Where to Sleep in Amos
In the Amos-Harricana subregion, there are multiple hotels with amenities, but I must be honest and say that none particularly stand out for charm. You will, however, sleep well at Hôtel Nouvelle-Frontière, Amosphère Complexe or the band new Rodeway Inn in Pikogan.
Day 3: Abitibi-Ouest – Time Travel and Some Great Cheese
On day 3, head west to explore Abitibi-Ouest, where the 20th century lives on in museums and farms.
My favourite place to visit in this part of my Abitibi-Témiscamingue itinerary is École du rang II d’Authier, a perfectly preserved 1930s concession road schoolhouse. You’ll have fun going back to school and learning about how things were back then in a remote Québécois village.
The Maison Turgeon House offers a charming look at 1950s small-town life, complete with giant metal sculptures, tons of artefacts and curious objects from way back when.
Then, sample cheeses at Fromagerie La Vache à Maillotte in La Sarre—don’t miss the squeaky curds or boreal-inspired soft cheeses. After all, those warm, delicious curds are what make some of the best poutines in the province, and with a blog named like mine, you all know I love it! 🙂
Day 4: Parc national d’Aiguebelle, Glacial Trails and Moose Country
No trip to Abitibi-Témiscamingue is complete without dipping into the wilderness of Parc national d’Aiguebelle or Aiguebelle National Park, 1 hour and 15 minutes from La Sarre and just 45 minutes from Rouyn-Noranda.
This park protects billion-year-old rock formations, glacial valleys, and the region’s largest concentration of moose. Hike through 30 km of trails, climb spiral staircases and floating walkways, cross a suspension bridge and paddle across still lakes.
In winter, the park becomes a hub for ice climbing and snowshoeing.
Choose from rustic campsites, ready-to-camp tents, or lakeside cabins to spend the night. One tip I can share: bring bug spray sunscreen. You’ll also enjoy stargazing away from all light pollution!
Day 5: Rouyn-Noranda, Urban Energy and History
Often seen as the cultural capital of the region, Rouyn-Noranda surprises with its vibrant arts scene and indie energy.
On a sunny day, walk the Lake Osisko loop or go for free bike rentals from Récréosisko to explore the surroundings.
Right next to the rental shop is the Dumulon General Store, a preserved pioneer-era shop where you can walk back in time. It’s a good immersion into Quebec’s commercial past, but also residential, as you can visit the apartment upstairs!
Art lovers should stop by the MA Musée d’art (Rouyn-Noranda art museum), while foodies will find joy in the city’s flourishing culinary scene.
If visiting in late August, don’t miss the Festival de musique émergente (FME), one of Canada’s best indie music events that fills all hotels and restaurants in town. It’s a marvellous time to be around even if the city boasts a dynamic music scene worth discovering year-round.
What to Eat & Drink in Rouyn-Noranda
- Deuxparquatre: creative bistro that reinvents Quebec classics.
- Le Trèfle Noir: microbrewery with excellent IPAs and pub eats.
- Moulin Noir: premium steaks and fine wines.
- Les Pâtissières de ruelle: sweet and savoury baked delights.
- Bar-Librairie Livresse: a cool bookstore that serves snacks and charcuterie plates.
- Glåss Tåkoss and Food Truck: where tacos and ice cream collide.
- Horizon Thaï: authentic Thai cuisine, flavourful curries.
- Le Saint-Exupéry: the best place for brunch.
Where to Stay in Rouyn-Noranda
If you want to stay downtown, Le Noranda Hotel & Spa and Le Deville par G5 are great modern, walkable options I’ve tried a few times.
For something a bit different, I’d suggest you sleep in a yurt at Les racines du p’tit Isidore.
Day 6: Témiscamingue, Lakes, Vines, and Remnants of the Fur Trade
After 5 days of nature, culture and history, make your way south to Témiscamingue, a land of profound waters and fur trade lore.
Begin in Ville-Marie, a picturesque lakeside town with cafes and boutiques. For a sweet bite, your next destination on this 7-day Abitibi-Témiscamingue road trip will be Chocolats Martine, a chocolate lover’s paradise.
Next, stop at Le Rift gallery for contemporary art and then at Fromagerie Le Fromage au Village in nearby Lorrainville to pack up some great cheese for your picnics along Timiskaming lake.
For a taste of local terroir, plan a meal at L’Éden Rouge, a farm-to-table establishment that has won tons of praise over the years. Specializing in tomatoes, it has evolved since I first visited it, and it’s become a must-see place in Témiscamingue.
Explore fur trade history at Obadjiwan-Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site, where French and British traders once clashed. This part of Canada is where trading started and led to the Hudson’s Bay Company’s foundation.
If you enjoy honey, then add Miel Abitémis to your adventure. If it’s wine you crave, you’ll want to plan a stop at Vignoble Domaine DesDuc, a winery on an island on a lake. That’s something to write home about, as wineries such far north are a rare encounter!
Where to Sleep in Témiscamingue During Your Itinerary in Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Treat yourself to a cabin and jacuzzi at La Bannik, right near the historic site, or a cozy room at Auberge Nouvelle-France B&B! If you want to stay by the water in Ville-Marie in a modern suite filled with chocolate aromas, then opt for Les suites de la chocolaterie where I always stay!
Day 7: Parc national d’Opémican, Forest Between Two Lakes
End your trip at Quebec’s newest national park, Opémican, located between Lac Témiscamingue and Lac Kipawa. This former logging camp now boasts 30 km of hiking trails, lakeside ready-to-camp tents, and stories of the Anishinabeg peoples who have inhabited this land for generations.
Walk the Laniel-Broken Bridge Trail, paddle through narrow bays, or just unwind among the pine trees and silence. You can stay here for a day or for multiple nights to enjoy all that nature has to offer, a great conclusion to this 7-day itinerary in Abitibi-Témiscamingue!
What to Know Before You Go – Insider Tips for Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Most attractions run seasonally (May–October) so check opening hours.
- French is widely spoken although most people will understand English basics. Brush up on your French or bring a translation app and you’ll be OK.
- Fill up your gas tank before long drives as sometimes they are sparse.
- Pack hiking boots, bug spray, and snacks.
- Cell service can be spotty in remote areas so don’t depend on Google Maps.
- Book ahead for accommodations, especially in summer.
- Stargazing and northern lights are common in late summer and fall so look up at night around the campfire.
Preparing For Your Trip in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region
When I look for things to do in my destination, I always have a look at Viator, GetYourGuide, Manawa, Civitatis and sometimes even Expedia.
It’s first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.
Need a place to sleep? I find most of my accommodations on Booking.com but I also use Hotels.com for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as Expedia. When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.
Looking for a cheap flight to Abitibi-Témiscamingue region through Montreal or Quebec City? Have a look on Cheapoair or Skyscanner I use regularly or directly with Air Canada.
Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with DiscoverCars, AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus to Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with Busbud.
Whether you’re sipping a honey mojito at sunset, making friends with wolves at Refuge Pageau, or listening to the crunch of leaves underfoot in an ancient forest, Abitibi-Témiscamingue reveals itself slowly and memorably.
Most people tell me they hadn’t heard of it beforehand, but they will keep coming back again and again after this week-long itinerary in Abitibi-Témiscamingue!
- Tourism in Abitibi-Témiscamingue: Everything You Need to Know
- 5 Best Lakes in Quebec, Canada to Visit Now
- 5 Best Quebec Fishing Resorts
- 20 Must-See Quebec Attractions to Add to Your Province Bucket List
- 10 Top Things to Do in Quebec Province
- 46 Ultimate Best Quebec Guided Tours You Should Book Now in the Province
Wanna discover Abitibi-Témiscamingue? Here’s an awesome podcast!
I had the honour of being a guest on the well-known Amateur Traveler Podcast, Chris Christensen’s baby. We chatted about a 1-week road trip in Abitibi-Témiscamingue! You’ll uncover 1h 16 minutes of the best things to do, places to be and food to discover to make the region your next best travel memory within Quebec! Listen now:
Travel to Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Quebec – Amateur Traveler Episode 946Are you on Pinterest? You’ll want to pin these for later:
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