Grosses-Roches: Nature, Hiking Trails and Starry Skies

In the associated municipality of Marston, forests, bodies of water and cultural sites offer a range of inspiration for planning a trip. The landscape is especially vivid along the “Un lac au sommet” hiking trail: mixed forest, a suspension bridge over the Victoria River, and views of Lac Mégantic and Lac à Jos-Gilbert give the route its distinctive character.

Hiking between forest and lake views

Starting at the Centre des Loisirs at 130, route 263 Sud, the “Un lac au sommet” round trip is 8.4 kilometres long. The route crosses the Victoria River via a suspension bridge and leads through mixed forest. Along the way, views open up over Lac Mégantic and Lac à Jos-Gilbert, a post-glacial basin—a landform dating from after the last ice age. This hike brings together forest sections, a river crossing and views of two distinct lakes.

Another trailhead is at the end of 5e rang Sud. No combined distance is given for the two starting points; the 8.4 kilometres refers to the round trip starting at the Centre des Loisirs. A seasonal restriction is also important when planning your day: the hiking trail is inaccessible during hunting season, from September 1 to December 1. Dogs and other animals are prohibited on the trail. Check the conditions again before your hike.

Bodies of water and starry skies in Marston

Part of Marston borders Lac Mégantic; Lac McKenzie is also among the municipality’s bodies of water.

The night sky is also part of the municipality’s natural landscape. Marston is part of the Réserve internationale de ciel étoilé du Mont-Mégantic (RICEMM). The reserve aims to preserve everyone’s present and future access to the experience of a starry sky. This is a shared conservation goal that adds another perspective on nature to the area’s waterscape.

Getting oriented, culture and trip planning

Marston is part of the Route des Sommets. Its information panel is at the Centre des Loisirs at 130, route 263 Sud. The hiking trail also starts there, so the panel is a practical landmark when planning the route from this trailhead. The municipality is also home to the Catholic Saint-René-Goupil Cemetery on Route 263 Sud, opposite number 108. The cemetery has a columbarium garden, and there is a roadside rest area beside it. Confirm the cemetery’s visitor access in advance. Another historical and cultural site is Echo Vale Cemetery on Chemin de Spring Hill, where the pioneers McLeod, Murdo and McIver are buried.

An adapted, accessible shared transport service operates on Tuesdays and Fridays for travel within Marston. The pick-up point is at the municipal office at 158, route 263 Sud. The service is available to people who live in the MRC du Granit. Before travelling, check whether the service is currently operating and whether you are eligible to use it.

When looking for a vacation rental in Grosses-Roches, let the focus of your trip guide you: for a day of hiking, the loop route, trailheads and seasonal closure are relevant; if you are more interested in landscape, you can include Marston’s bodies of water and the star reserve’s purpose in your trip planning. This helps you define the kind of stay you want more clearly, without combining different natural and cultural sites into a single excursion offering.

Discover more destinations: Piopolis, Notre-Dame-Des-Bois, Audet, Lac-Mégantic, Saint-Sébastien-De-Frontenac, Saint-Ludger, Woburn, Saint-Romain.

For the broader travel overview: Le Granit.