The Lièvre Valley: The Nature Getaway to Check Out This Summer

Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, the perfect starting point

To Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, the route begins gently at the foot of the mountains. To gain a little elevation, the Mont-Salettin offers a simple yet meaningful stop. After climbing its roughly 200 steps, you reach a lookout point where you can admire the surroundings in a peaceful atmosphere, taking in the local landscape, religious heritage, and collective memory.

Golf enthusiasts can also plan a stop at the Royal Papineau Golf Club. Located on the shores of Lac de l’Argile, this 18-hole course offers a natural setting that makes you want to extend your day there. Nearby, the Camping Royal Papineau lets you extend your getaway with its campsites, RV park options, and even an inn. Its access to Lac de l’Argile makes it a favorite spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

New addition to the itinerary: the Salette Market, held every Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to meet local farmers, artisans, and residents, while adding a local touch to your trip on Route 309.

Val-des-Bois: A Blend of Outdoor Activities, Art, and Culinary Delights

Continuing on toward Val-des-Bois, the Lièvre Valley takes on the feel of a vast playground. The village serves as a gateway to the Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle, a vast expanse of lakes, forests, and nature trails where you can go fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, hunting, or simply enjoy a moment of tranquility by the water. Be sure to plan a visit to Lake Écho to enjoy its beautiful sandy beach.

For an accessible activity, the Sentier du Lièvre is a must-see. Free and suitable for beginners, it offers walks ranging from 1 to 4 km through a pine forest along the river. With its picnic tables, playground, water play area, giant trampoline, and sports fields, it’s an easy stop to include in a family day out.

Be sure to enjoy Lac Vert, located in the heart of the village. With its public access, it’s the perfect spot for stand-up paddleboarding. Fishing enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy, as the lake is stocked with trout every year and is open for fishing year-round. Please note that gasoline-powered boats are not permitted on the lake.

Right nearby, The Energy of the Lièvre adds a cultural dimension to the outing. This outdoor public art trail features eight works created in 2019 by professional artists, inspired by the river, its history, its power, and its movement. Be sure to also admire the mural by Maria-Rosa Szychowska, which pays tribute to the log drivers. It’s a wonderful way to combine the great outdoors, local history, and contemporary art right in the heart of the village.

To extend your stay, the Camping Val-des-Bois offers a family-friendly and active atmosphere surrounded by nature. Water games, a giant trampoline, sports fields, a beach, fishing, hiking, and seasonal activities keep your days full without having to venture too far from the campground. With options for tents, RVs, seasonal sites, and ready-to-camp trailers, there’s something for everyone. And if you’re looking for a quieter campground, the region offers about ten campgrounds with a variety of atmospheres to suit every taste.

Val-des-Bois also has plenty to offer food lovers. The Lauzon Farm showcases seasonal vegetables, local beef, and its famous sweet corn. The restaurants and snack bars in the area also contribute to the village’s reputation as a foodie destination. At the Val-des-Bois Bakery, the aroma of fresh bread, artisanal treats, and local craftsmanship make you want to stop by… and leave with your arms full. And for a sweet treat that’s well worth the detour, Babine entices visitors with its artisanal pies, soft-serve ice cream coated in Belgian chocolate, brownies, date squares, and coffee—all to be enjoyed on-site or to go.

Bowman: For hiking, climbing, and sleeping in nature

On the other side of the river, Bowman is the perfect complement to the getaway. A favorite destination for campers, anglers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts, the town invites you to get away from it all, far from the hectic pace of everyday life.

The Parc régional de la forêt is one of the area’s major attractions. With its forests, mountains, cliffs, lakes, streams, and waterfalls, it offers a spectacular natural setting for hiking, picnicking, or simply taking a breather. The site is also known for rock climbing, with established routes on the Panorama Wall and the option to be guided by the Outaouais Climbing School.

On Saturday morning, the Farmer market adds a nice local touch to your visit. It’s the perfect place to explore a bit before heading to a campground, a cottage, or an outfitter. The Bowman Convenience Store is the perfect way to round out the stop, with its convenient services, local products, and everything you need for a day outdoors—including a wide selection of craft beers, even one featuring the owner’s likeness!

For those who want to sleep surrounded by nature, Bowman offers several accommodations. The Pourvoirie de la Lièvre welcomes visitors along the river, while the Pourvoirie Chevreuil Blanc offers an immersive experience in a vast forested area with numerous lakes for fishing.

Continue your exploration toward Mayo

To enjoy nature's beauty even more, take Route 315 toward Mayo and stop at the Réserve écologique de la Forêt-la-Blanche. Its trails, which wind through the heart of an old-growth forest, offer a chance to explore one of Quebec’s last remaining old-growth forests, where some trees are over 250 years old.

Along the way, educational signs provide information about the flora, fauna, and ecosystems that make up this protected area. With its panoramic views, boardwalks, wetlands, and unique hiking trails, Forêt-la-Blanche is a wonderful way to extend your getaway in the great outdoors.

And for a place to stay nearby, LaLièvre Nature, a campground on Lake La Blanche, offers a rustic camping experience in a private forest. Located in Mulgrave-et-Derry, the site features 22 unserviced campsites, perfect for self-sufficient campers seeking peace and quiet, an authentic experience, and direct contact with nature. With access to the water, you can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or simply a simple, unspoiled getaway, living at the pace of the great outdoors.