Rivière-Du-Loup: Nature, Trails and Culture

For a stay in Rivière-Du-Loup, you can choose from winter activities, cycling and walking trails, waterfront scenery and cultural attractions. To get your bearings, consider whether you’d like to plan your trip around the season, the kind of activity you enjoy, or your interest in nature and history.

Trails and activities by season

In Rivière-du-Loup’s Saint-Ludger district, six kilometres of trails offer opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. They are set in a wooded area extending from Parc des Chutes. This makes them a specific option for winter days.

Mountain biking and fat biking are on offer at Sentiers de la Meute. The 16 kilometres of trails are maintained and marked, and can be used in both summer and winter. They are open to all skill levels, from beginners to experts. The difference between these options is clear: Saint-Ludger offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, while Sentiers de la Meute adds cycling activities, two seasons of use, and a stated range of skill levels.

Waterfront, parks and a longer cycling route

Parc de la Pointe is located at the tip of Rivière du Loup, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, and offers a viewpoint for watching the sunset. The park also includes a five-kilometre cycling and walking trail. It offers both a specific distance for cycling and walking and a viewpoint as a separate reason to visit.

The Traverse Rivière-du-Loup–Saint-Siméon ferry service is located at Parc de la Pointe. It carries more than 185,000 passengers each year. If you’re planning a crossing, check the schedule in advance; operating details may change.

Parc des Chutes de Rivière-du-Loup includes a range of ecosystems. These include Pointe du Platin, a rocky ridge, a slope and a clay plain. These landforms give the park a different focus from the waterfront park: here, the emphasis is on varied natural areas, while Parc de la Pointe is defined by its waterfront location and sunset views.

The Parc linéaire interprovincial du Petit Témis starts in Rivière-du-Loup and is a 134-kilometre cycling trail along a former railway line. It can be accessed from all the municipalities along the route. Along the way, it offers opportunities to observe nature by rivers, lakes and in marshes, as well as to see herons, beavers and deer. So, in addition to cycling, this trail offers opportunities to explore waterways, wetlands and wildlife.

Art and history

Built in 1830, Manoir Fraser tells the story of the Fraser family and their influence on Rivière-du-Loup’s development in the 19th century. The manor’s construction date and the broader historical story of the family highlight different time periods: it was built in 1830, while the influence it describes spans the city’s development during the 19th century.

Intervalle – Parcours d'art public is a walking or cycling tour of around 40 public artworks in the city of Rivière-du-Loup. If you’d like to combine art with activity, you can explore the tour on foot or by bike. Together with the history of Manoir Fraser, it offers a cultural focus distinct from the nature and trail experiences.

More destinations

Explore more destinations: Rivière-Du-Loup, Saint-Antonin, Notre-Dame-Du-Portage, Cacouna, Saint-Hubert-De-Rivière-Du-Loup, L'Isle Verte, La Haute-Yamaska, La Matapédia.

For the broader travel guide: Quebec.