Located in Saint-Philémon, about 1h10 away from Quebec City, the Massif du Sud Regional Park is a magnificent place that offers 35 kilometers of marked trails for outdoor enthusiasts. This park is renowned for its impressive viewpoints, its crystal clear rivers and its old-growth forests composed of immense mature trees. This majestic park receives an average of 600 cm of snow per year, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy its winter activities until very late in the season.
For the Easter weekend, I decided to climb the summit of Mont Chocolat with my lover. This hike of 8 kilometers is one of the most popular in the Park. We left Quebec City in the morning, where it felt like springand when we arrived at theMassif du Sud Regional Park, it was winter all over again.
Since we arrived early and our access tickets had already been paid, we were among the first to open the trail. As this trail is quite popular, it was well-beaten despite the heavy snow so we did not have to use snowshoes or crampons.
For the first 2 kilometers of the trail, we followed the crystal clear river and the beautiful snowy trees. The trails are very well marked and the indications for each summit are very clear so it's impossible to take a wrong turn. To reach the summit of Mont Chocolat of 717 meters of altitude, we had to climb a difference in altitude of 380 meters.
As the day went on, the temperature got warmer and the snow on the trees started to melt and fall on our heads! I was more than happy to wear my Podroz III windbreaker with its water repellent effect and its legendary lightness. This jacket is perfect for outdoor hiking with its stretchy fabric that wicks moisture and keeps you dry while doing intense physical activity.
PODROZ II
The last part of the trail was more challenging but the view from the top was worth it. The sun was shining on the magnificent snow-covered fir trees of the summit, offering one of the most beautiful panoramas of the park. We took the opportunity to have a snack and take some pictures before starting the descent to the reception cottage. Since 2021, this trail offers a slightly more difficult return route that was very pleasant to take. With the sun shining, the snow was starting to stick to our feet, giving us a feeling of pure springtime happiness for the rest of the descent.
ITEMS I BRING ON A HIKE DAY
It was only on the way back that we started to meet other hikers going up. The round trip took us 3 hours, which makes it a very accessible hike for all outdoor enthusiasts. Don't forget that April is also the month of thaw. It is therefore important to be aware of the condition of the trails before using them in order to better preserve them. To date, the trails of the Massif du Sud Regional Park are accessible only on weekends to help protect the park. A quota of hikers has also been established so that the governmental norms related to Covid-19 are respected.
In conclusion, I must admit that this was my first time at the Massif du Sud Regional Park and it will certainly not be my last! I can't wait to go back and discover new trails to experience new adventures!
See you soon for my next adventure!
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