Leclercville: River Trails, Kayaking and Culture

Leclercville combines trails along the Rivière du Chêne with opportunities for excursions on the water and exhibitions about local history. The 4.2 km Sentier 4 Saisons runs from the village to the Moulin du Portage and follows the river. It is rated as moderately difficult and has some more technically challenging sections. If you are planning a walk or hike, you can take this distance and the changing demands of the route into account when planning your day.

Riverbanks, Cliffs and Trails

Parc de l’Île is located on the banks of the Rivière du Chêne and the St. Lawrence River, between the cliffs and the village. The park and rest area are intended for residents of Leclercville and visitors; tides and wind shape the setting. A few steps from Parc de l’Île is the Sentier pédestre de la Rivière du Chêne. This trail is also rated as moderately difficult. Along the way, sections pass through maple and hemlock trees, by possible beaver dams and along various beaches. If you are deciding between the two trails, the Sentier 4 Saisons has a specified distance and a connection to the Moulin du Portage, while the riverside trail is characterized by its natural features.

The Sentier 4 Saisons is accessible year-round via Route Marie-Victorin, also known as Route 132; the access point is a few metres east of the Leclercville bridge. This gives you a specific landmark for finding the trail. For families considering a walking excursion, the moderate difficulty and more technically challenging sections are particularly useful to bear in mind when planning.

Kayaking on the Route bleue

As part of the Route bleue Québec/Chaudière-Appalaches, Leclercville provides two launch sites for kayaks and boats with shallow drafts: Quai de Leclercville and Parc de l’Île. Both sites have parking, toilets, picnic tables and boat-launching facilities. The quay also has a ramp for small motorized boats. Launching kayaks and canoes at the quay is free.

One specific option for a longer paddling trip is the Boucle de l’île et des Navigateurs. The 12 km kayaking route runs from Parc de l’Île de Leclercville to Quai de Lotbinière, is rated as moderately difficult and is listed as taking 2 to 4 hours. The distance and estimated duration help you distinguish this trip from a shorter stay by the water. The launch sites also offer different starting points: Parc de l’Île and Quai de Leclercville.

Exhibitions and an Unusual Viewpoint

Leclercville’s presbytery has permanent exhibitions about Félix Leclerc’s family origins and the founding families. They include a recreation of a seigneurial office and a collection of weapons belonging to the Joly de Lotbinière family. Public exhibitions are held at the presbytery during the summer season. A cultural visit therefore complements the trails and water activities with insights into family histories and the furnishings of the recreated office.

The cliff at the Leclercville rest area also has a distinctive use: paragliders use it as a launch point for their flights. So, alongside riverside trails, forest features and kayaking trips, paragliding launches are among the experiences described in this area.

When choosing a vacation rental, you can first consider which of these sides of Leclercville will shape your trip: trails and riverbanks, a kayaking trip along a set route, or the exhibitions in the presbytery. These interests can help guide your search without requiring you to commit to just one activity.

Discover Other Places

For further inspiration, you can also visit the pages for Sainte-Agathe-de-Lotbinière, Laurier-Station, Saint-Apollinaire and Saint-Antoine-De-Tilly.

For the broader travel overview: Lotbinière.