For many tourists, the province of Quebec is a vast and wild territory. Although cities like Montreal and Quebec have plenty to offer, where can you go if you are an outdoor enthusiast? Let me tell you all you need to know about Abitibi-Témiscamingue, a Quebec region you should consider visiting if you like nature, good food and road trips!
A Few Words About Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Abitibi-Témiscamingue is a Quebec region located North of Outaouais and West of Ontario, just on the border. Like other places in the Canadian North, it is known for hunting, fishing, and natural resources like forests and minerals. Its main cities are Rouyn-Noranda, Val-d’Or, Amos, La Sarre, and Ville-Marie.
This region is separated into 2 parts: Témiscamingue is in the South, while Abitibi is in the North. It has been home to various First Nations communities for centuries, and was colonized at the end of the 19th century.
How to Get to Abitibi-Témiscamingue?
It can seem challenging to travel to Abitibi-Témiscamingue because of its more remote location, but there are many options, and you’ll realize it isn’t really that far. For example, getting to Val-d’Or from Montreal takes at least 6 hours. You will also need to pass through the Réserve faunique La Vérendrye, a wildlife reserve spanning more than 12,000 km2.
By Car
There are a few roads that you can take to get to Abitibi-Témiscamingue if you are driving. If you leave Montreal, you will want to take Highway 15 and then Route 117. If you start from Ottawa, you will likely take Route 105 to reach the 117 North route.
Abitibi-Témiscamingue By Bus
Autobus Maheux provides bus transportation from Ottawa and Montreal to Val-d’Or, Amos, La Sarre, Rouyn-Noranda, and Ville-Marie. For example, on the way back, if you leave Rouyn-Noranda at 7 a.m., you will arrive in Montreal at 5 p.m.
By Plane
It may sound surprising, but you can travel to Abitibi-Témiscamingue by plane. Indeed, since the region serves several mining companies, there are small airports in Val-d’Or and Rouyn-Noranda mainly for workers to travel to and from. It could be a possibility if you have less time to drive to the region. For example, Air Canada offers direct flights from Montreal to Rouyn-Noranda.
By Train
Finally, the fourth way to get to Abitibi-Témiscamingue is by train. There is a VIA Rail route from Montreal to Senneterre, a small village West of Amos. From there, you can take the bus or a cab to other cities. If you leave Montreal at 7:30 a.m., you will arrive in Senneterre at around 9 p.m. It is an option to consider if you have time and want to access incredible natural landscapes along the way, but you need to have a car or transportation once in Senneterre, as there are no rental companies.
Whatever option you choose, remember that even if it takes many hours to travel to Abitibi-Témiscamingue, when you arrive, you will easily access all amenities, like shops, restaurants, breweries, hotels and hospitals quite easily.
What Can I Do in Abitibi-Témiscamingue?
Besides hunting and fishing which are a given in northern regions of Quebec, what is there to visit in Abitibi-Témiscamingue? Here are a few activity ideas.
Témiscamingue
Nature is the heart of the Témiscamingue region, less populated than the other parts of the region. Here are 2 places to visit when travelling within this section of Quebec, generally coming from/through Ontario.
Parc national d’Opémican – Témiscaming
With two lakes, the Parc national d’Opémican is the perfect place to enjoy what nature offers best. Whether you are a canoe or paddleboard fanatic or just love to hike in the forest, this protected area is for you.
Lieu historique national d’Obadjiwan Fort-Témiscamingue – Duhamel Ouest
If you want to learn more about the First Nations while enjoying one of the area’s most beautiful lakes, we suggest visiting the Lieu historique national d’Obadjiwan Fort-Témiscamingue. This converted trading post offers many outdoor activities. It is open from June to September each year.
Abitibi
When travelling from Montreal or other Quebec regions, you will reach Abitibi and cities like Val-d’Or, Amos, and Rouyn-Noranda, the most popular and more urban hubs. If you are looking for ideas for what to do in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, here are some things I suggest.
La Cité de l’Or – Val-d’Or
As mentioned earlier, Abitibi-Témiscamingue is known for its natural resources, including various precious minerals like gold. In Val-d’Or (which means Gold Valley in French), you can visit a real mine at La Cité de l’Or. Go down a 300-foot gold mine drift and discover how it was to be a miner in the 20th century. It’s a great activity for the whole family.
Refuge Pageau – Amos
If you are not a hunter and more of an animal lover, you can see wild animals at the Refuge Pageau in Amos. This shelter’s main objective is to rehabilitate animals and care for those who cannot be released. Among its permanent residents, you can find moose, bears, foxes, and many types of owls. It is one of the most enjoyed places to visit in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
Mont-Vidéo – Barraute
Unlike the Laurentians region, Abitibi-Témiscamingue is relatively flat; however, there is one mountain where you can go sliding, skiing, or even snowmobiling: Mont-Vidéo. Located in Barraute, between Amos and Val-d’Or, this place offers many winter activities.
Parc national d’Aiguebelle – Rouyn-Noranda
There are also great national parks in Abitibi, and one of the most popular is the Parc national d’Aiguebelle, close to Rouyn-Noranda. No matter the time of year, there is always something to do here: paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, sliding, ice climbing, and much more!
In conclusion, Abitibi-Témiscamingue is the perfect place to visit if you are an outdoor enthusiast. Whether you want to go hiking in a national park or visit a mine or a zoo, the time you take to get there will be worth it.
It is also a great alternative to more crowded and touristic areas like the Eastern Townships or Gaspésie in summer. I hope I inspired you to consider visiting Abitibi-Témiscamingue in the upcoming months!
Are you looking for other activity suggestions and ideas while visiting the province of Quebec? These articles might interest you:
- 5 Best Lakes in Quebec to Visit Now
- 5 Best Quebec Fishing Resorts
- 46 Best Quebec Guided Tours You Should Book Now
Do you want to learn more about visiting the beautiful province of Quebec and its regions? Take a look at our other pins!
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