Pont-Rouge: River Landscapes and Special Trails

Pont-Rouge combines trails along the Jacques-Cartier with historic sites and outdoor experiences. You can choose from longer hiking trails, shorter riverside routes and cultural discoveries. When planning your vacation, it is therefore worth considering whether you want your days to focus more on outdoor activity, family outings or sightseeing.

Hiking Trails, River Views and Winter Activities

The Centre de plein air Dansereau has 27 km of hiking trails along the Jacques-Cartier. The trails offer views of landscapes and rapids, as well as the Barrage-du-Grand-Remous. You can also discover the ruins of an old sawmill there. There is a heated shelter at kilometre 3.5. The information about trail length and the shelter relates to this centre; it describes different aspects of a stay on its trails.

In winter, the Centre de plein air Dansereau offers cross-country ski trails and 8 km of groomed snowshoe trails along the Jacques-Cartier. Cycling trails are also part of the centre’s offerings. If your travel dates are flexible, you can enjoy different outdoor activities in Pont-Rouge. The trails and ski routes are distinct offerings: the 27 km refers to the hiking trails, while the 8 km refers to the groomed snowshoe trails.

Another riverside route is the Promenade Jacques-Cartier: its trail along the Jacques-Cartier is 4.6 km long. The Promenade de la rivière aux Pommes runs for almost 3 km and lets you discover the natural treasures of the rivière aux Pommes. These trails of different lengths may influence your choice if you want to plan a specific distance into your day.

Shared Experiences and Protected Sites

At the southern entrance to the Promenade de la rivière aux Pommes on Rue du Rosier is Parc du Verger. This family-friendly green space has play structures, benches, a stage and tables. The promenade also has an obstacle course with a zip line and nine agility modules. The southern entrance on Rue du Rosier is also the access point to this course. Families will find practical ways here to combine time outdoors with activity and breaks.

In winter, Côte des Sœurs offers two toboggan runs for the whole family. This provides another seasonal experience in addition to the cross-country ski trails and snowshoe trails at the Centre de plein air Dansereau. When choosing when to travel, you can therefore decide whether you would rather hike, use winter trails or go tobogganing with the family.

Parc de l’île Notre-Dame on Île Notre-Dame includes a section of the Promenade Jacques-Cartier and access to Moulin Marcoux. The park also has a lit dog park, a picnic area, an outdoor stage and parking. A picnic area and tables at Parc du Verger offer different options for taking a break outdoors.

Culture and History Along the Jacques-Cartier

Moulin Marcoux is a stone grain mill built between 1870 and 1872 on the banks of the Jacques-Cartier. The heritage-designated building has a rectangular footprint, four storeys and a gable roof. Since 2010, it has served as Pont-Rouge’s cultural centre and has presented a variety of performances from April to December. A free guided tour of the building is available. This is a way to combine a visit to a notable historic building with a look at the cultural offerings.

The Site Déry also brings together history and landscape. Alongside the Jacques-Cartier gorges stands a rural house built in 1804. The site includes a section of the former Chemin du Roy and has been an interpretation centre designated as a historic property by Québec’s Ministry of Culture and Communications since 1996. It includes a protected landscape of 245,000 m². The site is also known for its salmon pools, which attract many sport fishers.

Groups can visit the “À cause d’une rivière” exhibition at the Site Déry year-round by reservation. If the exhibition matches your interests, you can plan it as a cultural highlight; it is intended for groups and requires a reservation.

Discover More Places

If you would like to explore more places, you’ll find Neuville, Saint-Ubalde, Donnacona, Portneuf, Deschambault and Saint-Basile here.

Back to the main travel overview: Portneuf.