Visitors to Quebec City are usually attracted to its history and its European charm. The walled part of the city, known locally as the “Vieux Quebec”, offers a glimpse of the past, with its cobblestone streets, 200 year old buildings and sites rich in history.
It’s quaint shops, chic hotels and classy restaurants offer visitors ample to do. And the constant festivals, like the popular two-week musical “Festival d’été de Québec” or its historical “Festival de la Nouvelle France”, cater to all types of tastes.
But if you need to escape the city’s historic walls and are seeking to view nature’s might, you don’t have to go very far.
Just minutes away from the “Vieux Québec”, on the south shore, is the easy to get to “Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière”. This free trail system makes for a great half-day outing for the whole family. This impressive 35-metre waterfall is home to a series of trails, boardwalks, stairs and a suspension bridge that take you right down to the water’s edge.
During the summer months, when the water levels are lower, you can even walk onto the riverbed, a rugged carpet of jagged limestone and granite, forced at an angle by years of geological activity. From there, you can walk almost right to the bottom of the falls.
The trails, approximately 5 km in all, take you to both sides of the gorge and onto the riverbed, crossed by the 113-metre long suspension bridge.
As you sway across the wooden walkway, you can see the falls to the west and the two iconic bridges that connect the south and north shores of the St. Lawrence River to the east. There’s even 2 km of biking paths and anglers can be spotted trying to catch walleye, pike or bass, among others. (Make sure you have a Quebec fishing licence.)
Interpretive signs throughout the trails offer a look at the geology, history and current use of the Chaudiere waterfall.The site is also home to a hydro-electric dam that provides electricity to residents on the south shore. Interpretive signs (French only) related to the dam, the falls and its history all make the “Parc des Chutes de la Chaudière” an interesting and informative experience.
Other Quebec City Waterfalls
Quebec City offers other waterfalls that are a little further to get to but worthwhile.
There’s the 83 metres (272 feet) Montmorency Falls, about 20 minutes east of the “Vieux Québec”. These are 30 metres (99 feet) higher than Niagara Falls.
For something a little more remote and completely off the beaten path, head to the Chutes de la Marmite (French site), at Rivière-à-Pierre in Portneuf County, or the Delaney Falls in the Vallée du Bras du Nord, both about an hour and a half northwest of the city.
If you crave some history with your waterfall route, head to the chute Kabir Kouba in the Village Huron, where you can learn about the geology, history and culture of the Huron First Nation thanks to the onsite interpretive centre.
Going to Quebec City to experience its quaintness, its history and the French Canadian culture doesn’t mean you have to put aside your love of the outdoors. On the contrary, the natural beauty of the region is right at your fingertips.
