3 days in Portneuf this fall
By David C, August 17 2024
From the St. Lawrence River to the mountains, autumn in the Portneuf region offers colourful landscapes, the harvest, outdoor activities and delights of the season. For an unbeatable fall experience, we suggest this three-day itinerary in the region.
Day 1 – U-picking and microbreweries on the “King’s Road”
The renowned Chemin du Roy needs no introduction! A living testament to New France and the first roadway linking Quebec City to Montreal, this road is second to none, with the richness of its village centres and landscapes along the St. Lawrence.
Start your day with a leisurely stroll in Neuville’s Réserve naturelle du Marais-Léon-Provancher. Here you can explore ecosystems ranging from marsh to forest to the St. Lawrence River and soak up the colours and fresh air. Listen carefully and you might hear the geese passing through on their great migration to the south!
As you continue along Route 138, be sure to stop off at one of the many local farm stands and stores. Autumn also brings an end to the harvest, so there’s plenty to enjoy! Speaking of harvests, U-picking enthusiasts will be delighted to stop off at L’Arc-en-ciel du Paradis, a market-garden farm in Cap-Santé. In September and October, you can pick strawberries, carrots, beetroot, sweet corn, tomatoes and squash as the season unfolds. Follow their Facebook page and stay up to date on all things harvest!
If traditional apple picking is your favourite autumn activity, head over to Verger du Roy in Deschambault-Grondines. This beautiful orchard offers a dozen varieties of U-pick apples, in addition to their famous apple juice and cider vinegar. Visit their website for opening times, as they may vary throughout the season.
Did crunching into an apple whet your appetite? Make your way to one of our region’s microbreweries! In Donnacona, Brasserie La Fosse offers tasty dishes with local flavours and brewed-on-site beers. At La Shed Microbrewery, you can also discover delicious beers brewed on the premises along with refreshing cuisine in the most welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Over in Neuville, the Esprit de clocher microbrewery has teamed up with the Baldaquin restaurant to serve up a delicious bistro menu with their beers.
Looking for a place to stay the night along the Chemin du Roy? Drop in at Demeure du Capitaine in Neuville or Auberge de l’Ouest in Deschambault!
Day 2 – A day of hiking in Parc naturel régional de Portneuf
Parc naturel régional de Portneuf is a vast territory divided into four sectors with dozens of kilometres of trails for hikers of all levels. The gorge sector of the Sainte-Anne River offers stunning views of the rocky cliffs overlooking the river. In the Lac Long sector, the Chutes à Marcotte trail is a must, and the Montagne de la Tour trail offers a particularly spectacular view when the trees display their autumn colours. Discover the park’s sectors and trails here.
Another must-see microbrewery in Portneuf is Saint-Casimir’s Les Grands Bois. Visit their on-site shop to pick up some of their brews. And don’t forget to check out their calendar of events: several shows are on the program at Théâtre des Grands Bois this fall!
When your day is over, you can spend the night in Parc naturel régional de Portneuf and choose among several options: chalets, ready-to-camp accommodations or rustic cabins. In Saint-Casimir, in the heart of the village, you can opt for a room at Hôtel le Couvent, which is housed in a picturesque 19th-century stone building.
Day 3 – A day of cycling in Vallée Bras-du-Nord or on Vélopiste Jacques-Cartier/Portneuf
For this third day, we’re looking forward to seeing you in Saint-Raymond, a paradise of autumn landscapes and mountain biking!
With 100 km of singletrack trails in two different sectors, Vallée Bras-du-Nord is known as a top destination for mountain biking. We bet you’ll want to take a few breaks to take in the breathtaking scenery of the valley and its colourful mountains.
You can also choose another regional icon: the Vélopiste Jacques-Cartier/Portneuf trail. This trail was built on the former 68-km railway right-of-way. Heading west towards Rivière-à-Pierre, the route has a slight gradient, which will be to your advantage on your way back! Here are ten reasons why you should try it!
To round off the day, a good meal is in order, and there’s no shortage of choice in Saint-Raymond: Le Mundial, La Croquée, Le Nocturne, Sushi M et Cie, Ti-Oui Snack Bar, and many others. You can also try the Roquemont, a microbrewery, restaurant and hotel all in one! Other accommodation options include Villa Eco at the gateway to Vallée Bras-du-Nord, and Chalets Tourisma, which offers a variety of cottages in the surrounding area.
Three days flew by in no time! For other suggestions for activities, you can visit our website’s blog, events, foodie tours, nature and culture sections. You’ll find plenty of ideas to help you plan your next trip to the region. And remember to tag us with #regionportneuf when you share your photos on Facebook or Instagram. Enjoy your stay!