There are a few weeks each year when the Côte-de-Beaupré is especially hard to beat. With the St. Lawrence River on one side and mountains covered in shades of red and orange on the other, the scenery is spectacular. Fall light gives the landscape a whole new dimension, and even trails you know by heart suddenly feel different.
Thanks to the region’s varied terrain, there are countless ways to experience the fall colours. Here are five hikes that are especially worth discovering when autumn settles over the Côte-de-Beaupré.
Main photo: 4000 Hikes
If there is one place where you can truly appreciate the scale of the fall colours, it is from the summit of Mont-Sainte-Anne.
At nearly 800 metres above sea level, the views stretch far into the distance. On one side, you will see the St. Lawrence River and Île d’Orléans. On the other, a succession of mountains covered in vibrant fall colours.
For those who want to earn the view, several trails lead to the summit, including Les Pionniers and L’Escarpée. Once at the top, take the time to walk from one viewpoint to another.
Not up for the full climb? The gondola also provides access to the summit when it is operating during the fall season.
Several events are also on the Mont-Sainte-Anne calendar, including the traditional Grande virée des couleurs, Oktoberfest at the mountain and the Défi des couleurs Simard. There is plenty to look forward to!
Here, the experience is completely different.
At Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix, in the Saint-Tite-des-Caps area, you first walk beneath the canopy of a mature forest before suddenly reaching wide-open views over the St. Lawrence River. It is simply beautiful!
In fall, the contrast is especially striking, with vibrant trees in the foreground and the vast blue river stretching out behind them.
For a relatively accessible hike, the approximately 7-km Cap Rouge trail provides access to several viewpoints without taking up the entire day.
Hikers who want to extend the adventure can instead choose the newer Jalbert trail, which is longer and even more immersive.
A forest filled with fall colours is already beautiful. Add thousands of Snow Geese, and the experience becomes truly unforgettable.
In Saint-Joachim, the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area offers trails through forest, marshes, farmland and the tidal flats of the St. Lawrence River. Then comes the fall migration of the Greater Snow Geese. Wow!
The birds gradually begin returning in September, but the gatherings become especially impressive in October. On some days, tens of thousands of geese can be seen on the tidal flats.
The Festival de l’Oie des Neiges, held from October 9 to 12, 2026, in the village of Saint-Joachim, takes place right in the middle of this spectacular period.
Good to Know Before You Go
A section of the La Falaise trail is currently closed due to a risk of landslide. A detour still provides access to the La Falaise, Les Chutes and La Cime trails. Be sure to check trail conditions before your visit.
Mestachibo is not the kind of hike where you walk for two hours just to reach one big viewpoint. Here, the entire trail is part of the experience.
The trail follows the Sainte-Anne River, winds through mature forest and features footbridges, rocky sections, climbs and openings overlooking the river. And in fall, it is especially beautiful!
Keep in mind that Mestachibo is a demanding trail and is better suited to experienced hikers. Depending on the route you choose, you will also need to allow enough time and arrange transportation for the return trip.
You do not need to plan a multi-hour expedition to enjoy spectacular fall scenery.
At the foot of Mont-Sainte-Anne, Jean-Larose Falls becomes especially photogenic when the surrounding forest changes colour.
The Boucle Jean-Larose trail lets you explore the area on foot and reach different viewpoints overlooking the falls. It is a great option for a shorter outing or as part of a full day in the Mont-Sainte-Anne area.
A waterfall, rocky cliffs and vibrant fall foliage all in one view… it is hard to go wrong.
That is the million-dollar question!
It is impossible to predict peak fall foliage far in advance. Nighttime temperatures, rainfall and elevation all influence how quickly the colours change.
Generally speaking, mid-September through mid-October is an especially beautiful time to visit the Côte-de-Beaupré. And the region’s varied elevation works in our favour. Higher areas around Mont-Sainte-Anne and Saint-Tite-des-Caps may already be showing strong fall colours while the trees closer to the river are still changing.
Before heading out, check the fall foliage conditions on Bonjour Québec’s interactive map, as well as current trail conditions.
Fall has one small drawback: it goes by far too quickly.
One weekend, you notice the first orange leaves. A few weeks later, the trees are already starting to lose them.
That is probably part of the reason we appreciate this season so much on the Côte-de-Beaupré. We know the show is short-lived, so when the colours are at their best… you might as well lace up your hiking shoes and head outside.
Happy hiking!
Where can I see the best fall colours near Québec City?
The Côte-de-Beaupré is located just minutes from Québec City and offers several spectacular places to enjoy the fall colours, including Mont-Sainte-Anne, Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix, the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, the Mestachibo trail and Jean-Larose Falls.
When is the best time to see fall colours on the Côte-de-Beaupré?
The timing varies from year to year, but mid-September through mid-October generally offers beautiful fall conditions. Colours may appear earlier at higher elevations.
Which hike should I do at Mont-Sainte-Anne to see the fall colours?
The Les Pionniers and L’Escarpée trails lead to the summit of Mont-Sainte-Anne on foot. Once at the top, several viewpoints offer spectacular panoramas over the fall colours, the St. Lawrence River and the surrounding mountains.
Which hike should I choose to see the colours without hiking all day?
The Boucle Jean-Larose near Mont-Sainte-Anne is a great option for a shorter outing. The Cap Rouge trail at Sentier des Caps is also a good choice for enjoying several viewpoints without committing to a long hike.
Can I see Snow Geese during the fall foliage season?
Yes. Greater Snow Geese stop at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area during their fall migration. Their presence generally becomes especially impressive in October, making it possible to combine birdwatching with fall foliage in the same outing.
Which hike should I choose for a bigger challenge?
The Mestachibo trail is one of the most demanding hikes on the Côte-de-Beaupré. It is better suited to experienced hikers looking to spend several hours in the forest on a more technical route.
