Accessible tourism: Exploring Portneuf in summer
By David C, May 14 2026
Once summer kicks off in the region of Portneuf, the trails, rivers, and villages come alive with a warm and welcoming vibe. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or simply the joy of being outdoors and enjoying some delicious food, the region offers a wide variety of accessible and adapted experiences. Here are a few suggestions!
Accessible outdoor activities: Hiking, water sports, and the shore
To make hiking accessible to all, Parc naturel régional de Portneuf—in Saint-Alban—provides specialized equipment so that everyone can enjoy the trails to the fullest come summertime. In the gorge area of the Sainte-Anne River, two Joëlettes (including one for children) and a Trackz all-terrain wheelchair can be booked free of charge. To ensure everyone can enjoy the Sainte-Anne River, the park also offers a Trident adaptive stand-up paddle board, a paddle board ramp and an AccessMat beach mat.
Keep the fun going by playing a round of minigolf at Centre de loisirs Saint-Alban. Whether you use a walker, a wheelchair, or need assistance, adaptive equipment is available to ensure that everyone can enjoy the activities.
At Centre Vacances Lac Simon, Kartus racing wheelchairs, adaptive solo kayaks, Chartrand electric bikes, Trackz HP+ models and swimming wheelchairs are available for rent. A beach mat is in place to allow everyone to enjoy the beach and swimming.
On the same lake, Eau Claire beach has various equipment available free of charge, including a swimming chair and an adapted paddle board. There is also an accessible and original playground, paddle board ramp and beach mat.
Camp Portneuf in Saint-Raymond provides visitors with two wheelchairs adapted for use on the trails. The site also features a 32-foot climbing tower equipped with a mechanical belay system.
Neuville’s Réserve naturelle du Marais-Léon-Provancher is the ideal place for nature walks and for observing countless species of birds. Kéroul has granted it partial certification, with the trails running along the marsh certified as accessible to people with limited mobility.
At Centre de plein air Dansereau in Pont-Rouge, the hiking trail is 4 km long (8 km round trip) and is accessible to electric wheelchairs along its entire length. An xRover stroller is also available for rent so you can enjoy the site along the Jacques-Cartier River.
At Parc familial des Berges in Donnacona, short trails offer opportunities for birdwatching in the forest and wetlands. A TrackZ-style wheelchair is available free of charge for persons with reduced mobility.
Along the St. Lawrence River, several of Portneuf’s wharves and rest areas offer fully accessible places where you can enjoy the beauty of the coastline. In Neuville, Donnacona, Cap-Santé, Portneuf, Deschambault and Grondines, the wharves have been equipped with stable platforms and observation areas, allowing everyone to gaze out over the river, have a picnic and breathe in the fresh air in peace and quiet.
Accessible accommodation: Comfort and relaxation
Across the region, there are accommodations equipped with ramps, walk-in showers and spacious areas that allow for easy movement. These establishments allow you to enjoy a relaxing stay with no need for compromise. Here are a few of them.
Looking for the perfect spot to recharge your batteries in the great outdoors? Les Chalets Tourisma offers three beautiful and accessible chalets (Le Caribou, Le Chalet du 4ième and La Voisine) in Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf and Lac-Sergent.
At Camp Portneuf in Saint-Raymond, the Tanguay chalet is designed to facilitate mobility and offer maximum comfort: wide doors, unobstructed walkways, no stairs, and accessible bathrooms. Also in SaintRaymond, the must-visit restaurant, microbrewery and hotel Le Roquemont offers accessible rooms, accessible communal areas and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This restaurant is also accessible.
In Deschambault-Grondines, Le Chavigny (Econolodge) offers fully accessible, refurbished rooms. The restaurant, which serves comfort food, is also accessible.
Accessible restaurants: Enjoy Portneuf worry free
Portneuf is renowned for its microbreweries. If you’re a beer lover, be sure to check out Brasserie La Fosse and Microbrasserie La Shed in Donnacona, as well as Saint-Raymond’s Roquemont Hotel. On top of enjoying a beer brewed on the premises, you can also have a meal full of local flavours.
Here are a few more suggestions for must-visit restaurants in the region: Le Calvados in PontRouge, La Croquée and Le Nocturne in SaintRaymond, Le Chavigny in DeschambaultGrondines, and many others.
Summer is a great time to visit farmers’ markets, sample produce at local farms, and check out some awesome foodie spots! Cheese dairies, shops, and farm stands invite you to sample the best that Portneuf has to offer. Here are a few suggestions.
Useful resources
In collaboration with the Association régionale de loisir pour personnes handicapées de la Capitale-Nationale, the Association des personnes handicapées de Portneuf and Autisme Québec, the MRC de Portneuf has created a detailed outdoor activities map showing twelve sites in the region that are accessible to people with reduced mobility. See the map here.
More than 600 public places and shops in the region were also visited by volunteers with disabilities. A list of the main access points is available on the Accès Portneuf website.
With its bountiful natural beauty, accessible activities, and mouth-watering treats, Portneuf offers a summer to be enjoyed to the fullest, whatever your pace or needs. Be sure to share your favourite moments on Facebook and Instagram using the #PortneufInegalable tag.