Discover L'étang-Du-Nord: Coastal Trails and Culture

In L'étang-Du-Nord, you’ll find a variety of options to help plan your trip: a public park by the fishing harbour, coastal trails, distinctive buildings, and activities by the sea. Local sights bring together nature, history, and architecture, though not all experiences have the same focus.

Harbour Park and Historic Coastal Trails

The Site de la Côte is a public park by the fishing harbour and is a good place for a walk along the coast. The Monument aux pêcheurs at the Site de la Côte honours the men and women who work in the fishing industry. The Sentier historique offers another perspective on the area: along a coastal trail that visitors can explore independently, it presents a permanent outdoor exhibition of archival photographs.

The Site de la Côte is also one of the 13 stages of the « Entre vents et marées » hiking trail. In the broader destination of Les Îles-De-La-Madeleine, the Sentier Entre Vents et Marées crosses the archipelago in 13 stages and is 230 kilometres long in total. The stage at the Site de la Côte is therefore part of a longer regional route.

Trails to Lighthouses and Coastal Views

The Sentier de l'étang du Nord is 2.4 kilometres long and has almost no elevation gain. The trail information was last updated on January 23, 2023; check it before setting out if its length and profile are important to your plans. The trail ends at the Borgot Lighthouse and offers unobstructed views of the red sandstone cliffs and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Another landmark is the L'Étang-du-Nord Lighthouse at Cap Hérissé. It is accessible by a coastal trail that follows the cliffs. The Sentier de l'étang du Nord has a stated length and profile and ends at a lighthouse, while the Sentier historique at the Site de la Côte features archival photographs along a coastal trail that visitors can explore independently. This lets you choose between a measured route with a lighthouse destination and a walk focused on history.

Wooden Church with Gothic Revival Features

The Église de Saint-Pierre-de-La Vernière is a prominent feature of the landscape and overlooks the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is a wooden church and is among the largest wooden churches in Quebec. Its Gothic Revival features include a central octagonal bell tower, lancet windows, buttresses, and window tracery. The building thus offers a striking architectural contrast to the coastal trails and harbour park.

Activities by the Sea and Regional Recipe Inspiration

Parc de Gros-Cap offers visitors adventures at sea and outdoor activities. You can rent a SUP there to explore the cliffs of Gros-Cap. This adds an on-water activity to the coastal walks. The recipes of À l'abri de la Tempête are inspired by the riches of the island region and its artisans.

More Nature Experiences in the Broader Destination

In the broader destination of Les Îles-De-La-Madeleine, the Réserve nationale de faune de la Pointe-de-l’Est lies at the northeastern tip of the archipelago. Its landscape includes dunes, heathland, and ponds. It serves as a stopover for migratory birds, particularly shorebirds, and as breeding habitat for at-risk species such as the Horned Grebe and Piping Plover. More than 150 bird species and about ten mammal species currently live there. Visitors can take guided hikes and participate in activities that raise awareness about protecting wildlife habitats. If you would like to take part, check the details directly with the provider.

Discover more destinations: Fatima, Cap-Aux-Meules, Grande-Entrée, Havre-Aux-Maisons

Back to the broader travel overview: Les Îles-De-La-Madeleine.