Boste našli Kanadski narodni park Forillon(Parc national du Canada Forillon) na finalu Konec dežele od Quebecje Polotok Gaspé, kjer mogočne gore Chic-Choc čelno trčijo v morje. Njegova edinstvena pokrajina - opojna postavitev gozdov, gora in obale - pomeni, da je Forillon raznolik kraj, ki nosi veliko klobukov. Za pohodnike in ljubitelje narave je skoraj 72 km (45 milj) poti, ki vodijo skozi najmanj deset različnih ekosistemov, od katerih ima vsak rog razkošnih rastlin in živali. Če je izhod na vodo vaša igra, obstajajo opazovanje kitov križarjenja, kajaki in izleti z veslanjem - ali pa se raje kopajte v toplih, plitvih vodah Plaža Penouille. Tudi ljubitelji zgodovine imajo mesto za Forillonovo mizo z lepo ohranjeno ribiško vasico iz 19. stoletja, ki se pokloni pridnim starodavnim družinam, ki so se preživljale z bogatim morjem.
Razumeti
Narodni park Forillon se nahaja na skrajnem severovzhodnem koncu polotoka Gaspé in je približno trikotno območje 242 km² (94 kvadratnih milj), stisnjeno med Zaliv Gaspé in Izliv sv. Lovrenca. Park je v celoti v občini Ljubljana Gaspé, glavni vhod pa je od centra mesta oddaljen le 15 minut vožnje z avtomobilom.
Zgodovina
Nekaj tisočletij pred prihodom Evropejcev je današnji narodni park Forillon lokalno prebivalstvo Mi'kmaq (in prej tudi konkurenčni Mohawki) poznali kot plodno lovišče in ribolov. Pa tudi, 1 La Penouille - dolga, skalnata peščena ražnica, ki se je raztezala od južne obale parka do zaliva Gaspé - je bila vir kamna, ki se je uporabljal za izdelavo vrhov puščic in drugega orodja, z arheološkimi izkopavanji pa je bilo odkritih odkrušenih kamnin, kamnin in keramike iz leta 600 Pr.
Čeprav je trska, ki je nekoč vrvela v sosednjem zalivu sv. Lovrenca, v regijo začela kmalu po Kolumbovem potovanju, pritegnila pestro mešanico baskovskih, španskih, portugalskih in francoskih ribičev, je bil prvi Evropejec, ki je obsežno raziskal regijo okoli Forillona, Jacques Cartier, ki je leta 1534 plul mimo Cap Gaspéja in se na kratko zasidral v zalivu Gaspé, da bi počakal na nevihto, preden je prišel na kopno v današnjem mestu Gaspé in zahteval celotno regijo za francosko krono: rojstvo kolonije New Francija.
Kljub evropskim kolonialnim ambicijam in trajni priljubljenosti okoliških voda med ribiči je šele dvesto let po Cartierjevi plovbi - takrat Velika Britanija je osvojil vse Francijakolonialnih posesti v današnji Kanadi - da so bila ustanovljena prva stalna evropska naselja na polotoku Gaspé. Največja vas v današnjem Forillonu je bila Grande-Grave, ki je v 19. stoletju uspevalo kot center za predelavo rib in mesto glavnih pisarn v Ljubljani William Hyman in sinovi. Grande-Grave je dobil ime zaradi velike prodnate plaže (grob v arhaični francoščini), za katero so domačini ugotovili, da je idealen kraj za sušenje in sol njihovega ulova v pripravah na izvoz v Evropo. Poleg tega je bila v kraju majhna kmetijska in gozdarska skupnost L'Anse-au-Griffon, na današnji severni obali parka. Gaspezijsko ribiško gospodarstvo je uspevalo v začetku 20. stoletja, vendar je upad skupaj z vplivi velike depresije in druge svetovne vojne močno prizadel ribiško industrijo, iz katere se nikoli ni mogla izvleči.
Ustanovitev kanadske vlade v narodnem parku Forillon leta 1970 je bila izredno sporna: zasebno podjetje, ki je sklenilo pogodbo o izselitvi približno 100 družin, ki so živele v mejah predlaganega parka, naj bi uporabljalo taktiko ustrahovanja, da bi jih prestrašilo pri prodaji zemlje vlada pod tržno vrednostjo. Nekdanji prebivalci Forillona so leta 2011 končno prejeli uradno opravičilo vlade. Istega leta je Parks Canada uvedel program, s katerim so opustili vse vstopnine v Forillon za tiste, katerih zemljišče je bilo razlaščeno za oblikovanje parka, pa tudi njihovih otrok in vnukov (in zakoncev) in ki omogoča prost dostop do pokopališč, nekdanjih domačih krajev in drugih krajev osebnega pomena. Občasno potekajo tudi posebni spominski dogodki in srečanja za nekdanje prebivalce.
Pokrajina
Morda je Forillon majhen, a v njem je zapakirana neverjetna raznolikost pokrajin. Tako kot polotok Gaspé kot celota tudi večina infrastrukture parka (in obiskovalci) objema obalo. V bližini vode boste našli najbolj znano značilnost parka: Cap Gaspé, skalnata rta na koncu polotoka, po kateri je regija dobila ime (od gespeg, izraz Mi'kmaq, ki pomeni "konec zemlje"). Toda to je šele začetek zgodbe: na obalah Forillona obstajajo tudi fosilno bogate obmorske pečine, bleščeče skalne formacije (misli se, da beseda forillon se nanaša na morski sklad na morju, ki se je od takrat podrl v ocean), mirne prodnate plaže, na katerih še vedno stojijo stoletne ribiške barake, solina in peščene sipine. Meje parka se na malo raztezajo tudi na morju in ščitijo bogate postelje runaste ruše (največ jih je v plitvini ob La Penouille) ter bogato morsko in ptičje življenje, ki med njimi živi, se hrani in goji.
Daleč od vode leži povsem drugačen svet: neustrašni zaledniki in pohodniki, ki prodirajo v notranje zaledje (pogosto preko Mednarodna apalaška pot, katerega celinski del se konča pri Cap Gaspé), se lahko nagiba po razgibanih gorah, odetih v debele gozdove, in lovi v hladnih gorskih jezerih in hitro tekočih, kristalno čistih potokih.
Flora in favna
Da bi se ujemal s široko paleto pokrajin, se park ponaša z enako široko paleto živalskih in rastlinskih vrst, ki jih najdemo v različnih habitatih. Raznolikost živalskega sveta Forillona morda najbolje kaže njegova ptičje življenje, z več kot 225 vrstami, ki tukaj prebivajo skozi celo leto ali del leta. Morske ptice so še posebej številne: vode zaliva svetega Lovrenca so obilen vir hrane za brivce, črno guillemot, dvoperastega kormorana in zlasti v bližini 2 Kapa Bon-Ami, črnonogi kittiwake. Druge ptice se zadržujejo blizu obale: na prodnatih plažastih plažah z valovi lahko najdete primerke peščenjaka, navadne čigre, skope in velike modre čaplje, ki se jade na solinah v La Penouille. Na obali živijo tudi štiri vrste tjulnjev in pliskavk, v bližnjih vodah pa so kiti - plavuti, grbavci, minke, piloti in celo izmuzljivi modri kit.
V gozdnati notranjosti Forillona boste našli še več ptic: na voljo je vrsta vrst, ki so skupne vzhodni Kanadi, kot so drozdi, pevci, žolni in vrabci, obstajajo pa tudi jastrebi z grobimi nogami, ameriške puščave in druge ptice roparice. V gozdovih živijo tudi bober, rdeča lisica, kojot, rdeča veverica, hermelin, dikobraz, vzhodna veverica, los in črni medved (glej Ostani varen več o zadnjih dveh).
Ko smo že pri gozdu: debeli sestoji breze, javorja in balzamove jelke pokrivajo 95% površine parka, kar z enim ukrepom predstavlja večji del rastlinskega življenja. Toda flora Forillona je spet raznolika - veliko bolj kot na začetku rdečica. Višje v gorah in na stenah obmorskih pečin, izpostavljeni polni sili vetrov, ki šibajo zaliv sv. Lovrenca, boste našli rastlinsko življenje, ki je bolj značilno za arktično tundro: populacije Forillona vijoličastega gorskega saksifraga, bele suhe drozde in čopaste saksifrage so relikvije izpred tisočletja, ko so se ledeniki zadnje ledene dobe šele začeli umikati in je bilo podnebje v regiji precej hladnejše kot danes.
Bližje obali so v slanih vodah okoli La Penouille in na drugih močvirjih ob obali gostitelji slane travniške trave, morske sivke Carolina in drugih rastlin, ki so pomemben vir hrane za obalne ptice, plitvovodne ribe in žuželke. Podobno pomembni sestavni deli morskega ekosistema Forillona so tudi ležišča ruševine, ki ležijo le na morju.
Podnebje
Podnebje Forillona je zaradi severne zemljepisne širine presenetljivo blago: zmerni vpliv zaliva svetega Lovrenca blaži ekstreme tako poletne vročine kot zimskega mraza, poleg tega pa zagotavlja obilne padavine skozi vse leto.
Če prihajate iz južnejšega Quebeca, boste opazili, da je precej hladneje, kot od kod ste prišli, saj se dnevni vrhunci redko vzpenjajo precej višje od 25 ° C (77 ° F), tudi v poletnem vrhuncu, in čez noč najnižje okoli 10 ° C (50 ° F). Zanimiv poletni pojav, ki ga lokalni mornarji dobro poznajo, je vzhodnik toplotni vetrič ki se pojavijo na južni obali Forillona zjutraj in popoldne zaradi sotočja toplih voda zaliva Gaspé s hladnejšim zrakom odprtega morja. Ti vetrovi navadno dosežejo največjo moč - približno 25–30 km / h (15–20 mph) - med poldnevom in 14:00 uro, nato pa umrejo do 18:00.
Nasprotno, če nameravate biti eden redkih zimskih obiskovalcev tega dela sveta, boste z veseljem vedeli, da so temperature v Forillonu na splošno primerljive z Montreal in dejansko nekoliko toplejši od Quebec City: tipičen januarski dan ima najvišjo temperaturo -7 ° C (20 ° F) in najnižjo okoli -18 ° C (0 ° F). Vendar pa so tako kot v preostalem delu Gaspéja tudi zime izredno zasneženo, v katerem je povprečno leto na park padlo skoraj 4 metre (več kot 12 čevljev) belih stvari, običajno med novembrom in aprilom. Vse storitve parkiranja so zaprte med sredino oktobra in začetkom junija (glej Pristojbine in dovoljenja spodnji razdelek) in storitev mobilne telefonije je pegava, zato se boste, če se zataknete v snežni metež, verjetno morali znajti sami.
Informacije o obiskovalcih
Zemljevidi, brošure in druge informacije o parkih so v sezoni na voljo v dveh centrih za obiskovalce Forillona:
- 3 Center za obiskovalce L'Anse-au-Griffon(Center d'accueil et de renseignements L'Anse-au-Griffon).
- 4 Center za obiskovalce La Penouille(Center d'accueil et de renseignements La Penouille).
Vstopi
Z avtom
Kot drugod na polotoku Gaspé je tudi glavna pot do Forillona in iz njega Pokrajinska pot 132, pot v obliki lasota, ki obkroži celoten polotok. Če, kot večina obiskovalcev, prihajate iz smeri Montreala ali Quebeca, pojdite Samodejna pot 20 (A-20) vzhodno do konca ceste pri Trois-Pistoles, kjer boste ubrali pot 132, ki vodi proti Gaspéju. Forillon je od Montreala oddaljen 915 km (570 milj), od mesta Quebec pa 700 km (430 milj) - 9½ ure oziroma 7 ur vožnje, ob predpostavki idealnih prometnih razmer - in čudovite pokrajine je na voljo, še posebej bližje parku .
Če prihajate iz Pomorstvo ali nekaterih delih vzhodne Nova Anglija, pot skozi New Brunswick lahko bolj neposredna alternativa. Pojdite na provincialno pot 17 do New Brunswick do Campbellton, nato prečkamo most v Quebec, kjer poberemo cesto 132 proti vzhodu skozi Zaliv Chaleur regiji in Gaspéju. Forillon je nekaj več kot štiri ure mimo mostu, približno 325 km (200 milj).
Glavni vhod Forillona se nahaja v južnem delu parka v kraju La Penouille, približno 19 km (12 milj) od centra mesta Gaspé po cesti 132 zunaj (zahodno). Od tam je še 14 km (9 milj) po cesti 132 in Boulevard de Grande-Grave do cestninske postaje pri Petit-Gaspé, kjer plačate vstopnino v park. Obstaja tudi sekundarni vhod in mitnica v severnem sektorju na Cap-des-Rosiers, kar je lahko bolj koristno za tiste, ki potujejo po južni obali izliva sv. Lovrenca, ne da bi se prej ustavili v Gaspéju.
Z letalom
V večini primerov let v Forillon pomeni pristanek na Mednarodno letališče Pierre Elliott Trudeau(Aéroport international Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau) (YUL IATA) v Montrealu oz Mednarodno letališče Jean Lesage(Aéroport international Jean-Lesage) (YQB IATA) v mestu Quebec, nato pa z avtom po A-20 in cesti 132.
Druga možnost je skok povezovalnega leta na Air Canada Express s katerega koli od teh dveh letališč na Letališče Michel Pouliot(Aerodrom Michel-Pouliot) (YGP IATA) v Gaspéju; cene povratnih vozovnic se začnejo pri približno 800 USD iz Montreala-Trudeauja in približno 750 USD iz mesta Quebec. (Če prihajate iz Îles de la Madeleine, od tam so tudi neposredni leti.) Obstaja a Državna pisarna za najem avtomobila na letališki nepremičnini, pa tudi Proračun, Sauvageau, in Varčno objekti drugje v Gaspéju, od koder lahko najamete avto za 20 minut vožnje od letališča do glavnega vhoda Forillona v La Penouille.
S kolesom
Lovke Route Verte, Medsebojno povezano omrežje namenskih kolesarskih stez in stez v Quebecu, ki je največje na ameriški celini, se razteza tudi do Forillona. Route Verte 1 v park vstopi s severa kot namenska kolesarska steza na tlakovani rami ceste 132. Na L'Anse-au-Griffon pot se strmo usmeri proti jugozahodu in pravokotno zareže po notranjosti parka: vzdolž rame Chemin du Portage prvih 1,2 km (tri četrtine milje), nato približno vzporedno z Reka L'Anse-au-Griffon prek Pohodniška pot Le Portage. Kolesarji se morajo paziti strmih nagibov vzdolž notranjega dela poti, zlasti proti jugu od grebena gora proti zalivu Gaspé. Route Verte 1 se prikaže na drugi strani Forillona, vzhodno od La Penouille, nato pa zavije proti zahodu in se odpelje iz parka proti Gaspéju, spet kot pas na rami ceste 132.
Peš
Pohodniki na dolge razdalje lahko dostopate do narodnega parka Forillon preko Mednarodna apalaška pot (IAT; v francoščini Sentier international des Appalaches ali SIA), severovzhodni podaljšek ZDA Apalaška pot ki se nadaljuje mimo gore Katahdin v Mainu skozi Kanado, Grenlandija, različne države zahodne Evrope in Maroko. Sektor Katahdin-to-Forillon IAT je bil prvi odprt za pohodnike leta 1995.
Z zahoda IAT vstopi v Forillon Rivière-Morris, ki nadaljuje približno 37 km (22 milj) vzdolž Les Lacs in Les Crêtes poti (glej spodaj) po razgibanem, gorskem terenu notranjosti parka, preden se je pojavil na obali zaliva Gaspé pri L'Anse-Blanchette. Od tam IAT deluje sočasno z Les Graves pot še 8 km (5 milj) po nekoliko lažjem terenu. Severnoameriški celinski del IAT se konča pri Cap Gaspé, pot pa se spet ujame na drugi strani zaliva sv. Lovrenca pri Port aux Baski, Nova Fundlandija (ni predvidenih povezav z ladjo).
Z avtobusom
Omrežje RéGÎM, organizacija za podeželski tranzit, ki služi regiji, vključuje avtobus, ki vozi skozi Forillon: Pot 21, ki prečka avtocesto 132 od L'Anse-au-Griffon do Kraj Jacques-Cartier v centru Gaspéja. Vsak delavnik ima en odhod v vsako smer s postanki ob Center za obiskovalce La Penouille tako dobro, kot Fort Polotok. Avtobusi, ki vozijo do Gaspéja, zapuščajo L'Anse-au-Griffon svetel in zgodaj ob 6:29, prispejo do La Penouille ob 7:05 in prispejo v Gaspé ob 7:35. Povratna potovanja v L'Anse-au-Griffon odhajajo iz Gaspéja ob 16.47, ustavijo se v La Penouille ob 5.10 in prispejo v L'Anse-au-Griffon ob 5.38. Voznina se plača v gotovini (4 USD) ali z vstopnicami (3 USD na kos, na voljo v desetih knjigah sodelujočih trgovcev ali neposredno pri voznikih avtobusov). Če nameravate RéGÎM med bivanjem na polotoku Gaspé močno uporabljati, bi bilo koristno kupiti predplačniško kartico za dostop (na voljo v spletu za 5 USD), ki je dobra za cel mesec in vam omogoča enak popust Cena vozovnice 3 USD kot vstopnice.
Avtobusne storitve na dolge razdalje na polotoku Gaspé opravljajo Orléans Express, ki pelje po isti poti skozi Forillon kot avtobusi RéGÎM. Na meji parka ni uradnih postajališč, vendar lahko potnike brez oddane prtljage odložijo ob cesti kjer koli na poti, po presoji voznika. Če prihajate iz smeri Gaspéja, boste želeli kupiti vozovnico za Rivière-au-Renard, prva postaja. Avtobusi odhajajo iz Motel-restavracija Adams v centru Gaspéja vsako jutro ob 9.00; cena je 14,95 USD na osebo z vključenim davkom.
Moj čoln
Za tiste, ki Forillon obiščejo z ladjo, je na voljo omejen prostor za pristajanje 1 Pristanišče Grande-Grave(Quai de Grande-Grave). Cene so odvisne od velikosti vašega čolna: 90 ¢ na čevelj na dan.
Pristojbine in dovoljenja
Za sezono 2018 so vstopnine za Forillon:
- 7,80 USD v visoki sezoni / 5,65 USD v sezoni ramen za odrasle (starost 17–64 let)
- 6,80 USD v visoki sezoni / 4,90 USD v ramenih za starejše (65 let)
- brezplačno za mlade (stare 16 let in manj)
- 19,60 USD v visoki sezoni / 13,70 USD za ramena za družine (opredeljeno kot do sedem ljudi, ki prispejo skupaj v istem vozilu)
- 6,80 USD na osebo / 4,90 USD za sezono ramen za vse ostale organizirane skupine.
V Quebecu se z izrazom "nacionalni park" opisujejo dve različni kategoriji parkov, katerih razlika je pomembna pri letnih kartah. Izraz se lahko nanaša na parke, ki jih vodi Quebec provincialni storitev parkiranja, Sépaq, ali tiste, ki jih vodi Kanadčan nacionalno vlada skozi Parki Kanada (za zadnjo kategorijo bodo cestni znaki in potovalne brošure v Quebecu na splošno uporabljali izraz "kanadski narodni park", da ne bi prihajalo do zmede). Forillon vodi Parks Canada, kar pomeni, da medtem ko je vaš Parks Canada Discovery Pass je dobra za vstop v park, Letni parki Quebec Network Card vam ne bo koristilo. Poleg tega so letne vozovnice za Forillon na voljo po ceni 39,20 USD za odrasle, 34,30 USD za upokojence, stare 65 let, in 78,50 USD za družine, z znatnimi popusti za "zgodnje ptice" za prvi dve kategoriji, če vozovnico kupite pred koncem leta Junij.
Nacionalni park Forillon je odprt vsako leto od 30. maja do 12. oktobra. Če nameravate obiskati sezono ramen (opredeljeno kot obdobja pred 25. junijem in po prazniku dela), ne pozabite, da park v teh dneh deluje z omejenimi storitvami. obiski - centri za obiskovalce, trgovina s spominki, okrepčevalnica in številni kampi ter zgodovinske znamenitosti so zaprti - z nadomestilom za vstopnine se zniža približno 25% Od oktobra do maja je Forillon nominalno zaprt; čeprav je možen (in brezplačen) vstop, so vse storitve zaprte in park je popolnoma brez osebja, zato ste sami.
Obiti
Ker je razmeroma majhen park, je prehod iz kraja v kraj v Forillonu dokaj preprost predlog.
Z izjemo pohodnikov in kolesarjev na dolge razdalje (q.v. Peš in S kolesom oddelkov zgoraj) velika večina obiskovalcev Forillona pride do parka in se z njim vozi z avtomobilom. Cesta 132 je glavna žila v parku za avtomobile: vstopi v park na severozahodnem vogalu in poteka vzporedno z izlivom sv. Lovrenca do Cap-des-Rosiers, nato pa v gričevnatem cik-caku zareže po notranjosti parka. vzdolž Montée Laurencelle preden je končno prišel do obale zaliva Gaspé D'Aiguillon, nato pa ostro zavije nazaj proti Gaspéju. Če vozite pot 132 v tej smeri, bodo pisali znaki est (vzhodno), čeprav se boste le na delu ob izlivu sv. Lovrenca dejansko odpravili proti vzhodu.
Pa tudi, Pokrajinska pot 197 teče od Rivière-au-Renarda proti jugu do Saint-Majorique, ki označuje zahodno mejo narodnega parka, in Boulevard de Grande-Grave odcepi s ceste 132 pri D'Aiguillonu, gre skozi Grande-Grave in se konča v slepi ulici na L'Anse-aux-Amérindiens, z dostopom do Les Graves pot do Cap Gaspéja.
Parkirišča lahko najdete ob tolmaških centrih v La Penouille in Cap-des-Rosiers, pa tudi na pristanišču Grande-Grave, polotoku Fort, L'Anse-aux-Amérindiens in L'Anse-au-Griffon v bližini vhod v severni park.
Glej
Spomenik velikega groba (Kraj patrimonial de Grande-Grave)
Parks Canada je obnovil številne domove in druge zgradbe, ki so nekoč sestavljale ribiško vasico Grande-Grave. Danes služijo kot muzeji, katerih eksponati pokrivajo gospodarski pomen ribolova polenovke v zalivu sv. Lovrenca in vsakdanje življenje starih prebivalcev.
- 1 Blanchettejeva hiša (Maison Blanchette), Boulevard de Grande-Grave, L'Anse-Blanchette. Vsak dan od 10. do 17. ure, 20. junija in 7. septembra; vsak dan od 10. do 16. ure, od 8. do 13. septembra. Zgrajena leta 1901 in zdaj navedena v kanadskem Registru zgodovinskih krajev, je bila v tej živobarvni koči nekoč dom družine Blanchette, tipičnega gaspezijskega gospodinjstva tistega dne, katerega patriarh Xavier se je preživljal z lovom, sušenjem in prodajo trske ujel je v vodah zaliva Gaspé in zaliva sv. Lovrenca. Hiša Blanchette je bila skrbno obnovljena znotraj in zunaj s sobami, opremljenimi v verodostojnem slogu zgodnjega 20. stoletja, v njej pa v sezoni vsak dan sodelujejo turistični vodniki v kostumih, ki vas bodo vodili skozi hišo, ribnik in drvarnico. Ogledi se zaključijo v hlevu, kjer je kratek interpretativni video "Vedno smo gledali v morje" (Na regardait toujours vers la mer), se neprekinjeno predvaja.
- 2 Hiša Dolbel-Roberts (Maison Dolbel-Roberts), Boulevard de Grande-Grave, Grande-Grave. Vsak dan od 13.00 do 17.00, 20. junija in 7. septembra. V tej obnovljeni zgradbi je dom zaporednih generacij družin Dolbel in Roberts od leta 1915 do 1970 danes muzej, katerega stalna razstava "Gaspezi s konca dežele" (Ces Gaspésiens du bout du monde), zajema bogato tapiserijo skupnosti, ki so si v preteklih letih ustvarile dom na vzhodnem koncu polotoka Gaspé: od Indijancev Mi'kmaq, ki so tu živeli od nekdaj, do neustrašnih naseljencev Québécois in Acadian iz Nove Francije, do britanske, irske in otoške otoške ribiške družine, ki so se preselile po osvojitvi Quebeca leta 1760, k novejšim prihodom, kot so Italijani in Judje. Poleg tega muzej v sodelovanju številnih nekdanjih prebivalcev pripoveduje o nesrečni in še vedno kontroverzni zgodbi o družinah, katerih domove je kanadska vlada leta 1970 razlastila, da bi ustvarila narodni park.
- 3 Splošna trgovina Hyman & Sons (Magasin Hyman & Sons), Boulevard de Grande-Grave, Grande-Grave. Vsak dan od 10. do 17. ure, 20. junija in 7. septembra; vsak dan od 10. do 16. ure, 30. maja - 19. junija in 8. septembra - 12. oktobra. Zgradil ga je William Hyman, ruski judovski trgovec, ki se je naselil v Grande-Graveu leta 1864, ta dvojica čudovitih stavb na obali zaliva Gaspé je bila središče mestnega življenja v 19. in začetku 20. stoletja. Iz teh prostorov je Hyman vodil podjetje, ki je bilo sčasoma glavni delodajalec v Grande-Graveu: podjetje, ki ga je sestavljala glavna mestna prodajalna, prodaja uvožene gospodinjske izdelke vseh vrst, pa tudi ribiško podjetje, ki je bilo glavni tekmec v regiji do Paspébiac-temelji Podjetje Charles Robin ki je takrat nadzoroval veliko večino ribolova polenovke v zalivu sv. Lovrenca. Danes je notranjost trgovine obnovljena v videzu iz poznega 19. stoletja, na policah je starinsko blago, od oblačil do porcelanske mize, patentiranja zdravil do kmetijskih pripomočkov. Muzejski eksponati so tudi v nekdanjih bivalnih prostorih družine Hyman v drugem nadstropju glavne stavbe, pa tudi v skladišču rib nekaj korakov po hribu navzdol, ki podrobno opisujejo različne načine življenja, ki jih izvajajo prebivalci Grande-Grave dan, sezonsko pridobivanje svojih potreb s kopnega in morja z ribolovom, sečnjo in malim kmetovanjem. Obstaja tudi kratek film "Spomnjeni čas in plima" (Mémoire de sel), prikazano v majhni sobi tik ob tleh splošne trgovine.
Druge zanimive točke
- 4 Svetilnik Cap-Gaspé (Phare du Cap-Gaspé), na vzhodnem koncu Les Lesova pot. Svetilnik Cap-Gaspé, ki stoji na vrhu obmorskih blefov, ki se nad zalivom sv. Lovrenca dvigajo 95 m (310 čevljev), označuje zadnji "konec kopnega" polotoka Gaspé. Zgrajena za zaščito dohodnih ladij stran od Cvetlična posoda, greben, ki se nahaja tik ob južni obali rta, je sedanji svetilnik Cap-Gaspé tretji, ki stoji na tem mestu: zgrajen je bil leta 1950 in je nadomestil krajšo leseno konstrukcijo, ki se je porušila štiri leta prej, kar pa je nadomestitev prvotnega svetilnika iz leta 1873, ki je bil izgubljen zaradi požara. Danes je svetilnik popolnoma avtomatiziran in deluje na sončno energijo ter dostopen peš ali s kolesom.
- 5 Fort Polotok (Trdnjava Péninsule), 1,2 km (0,7 milje) vzhodno od La Penouille po cesti 132. Edina v celoti ohranjena obalna baterija iz obdobja druge svetovne vojne Fort Peninsula je bila ena od treh nepremičnih obrambnih obramb HMCS Fort Ramsay, mornariško oporišče, ki ga je kanadska vojska leta 1942 ustanovila za obrambo pred nacističnimi napadi na podmornice, za zagotovitev varnosti trgovskih plovil, ki prečkajo regijo, in za zaščito britanske kraljeve mornarice v primeru, da so Hitlerjeve sile za uspešno osvojitev Velike Britanije. Devetnajst vojnih ladij, ki so bile naravno zaščitene s skalnatimi ražnji in plitvinami La Penouille in Sandy Beach, je imelo tu sedež, ki je imel ključno vlogo pri vodenju Bitka pri Sv. Lovrencu ki je videl 23 zavezniških plovil, ki so jih nemški podmorniki potopili ob vzhodni obali Kanade. Danes lahko obiskovalci hodijo po podzemnih hodnikih utrdbe in opazujejo starodobne minomete orožja in drugo artilerijo, ki je še vedno usmerjena proti morju, ter ob poti berejo opisne table, ki pojasnjujejo strateški vojaški pomen polotoka Gaspé med drugo svetovno vojno. Zunaj je prijeten obmorski piknik.
- 6 Opazovalni stolp Mont-Saint-Alban (Tour d'observation du Mont-Saint-Alban), dostopna po poti Mont-Saint-Alban. Na koncu srednje težka pohodniška pot gor Mont-Saint-Alban leži opazovalni stolp v višino 10 m (33 čevljev), ki pohodnikom ponuja 360-stopinjski panoramski pogled na Forillon in okolico - vključno z Svetilnik Cap-des-Rosiers, Kapa Bon-Ami, Cap Gaspé, in seveda odprte vode izliva sv. Lovrenca, zaliva Gaspé in zaliva sv. Lovrenca. Na jasen dan lahko celo vidite Otok Bonaventure in Percé Rock v daljni razdalji.
Ali
Na kopnem
Pohodništvo
Raznolike pokrajine Forillona prekrivajo pohodniške poti vseh težavnostnih stopenj, od lahke peščene desetminutne zanke okoli promenade Prélude à Forillon na večdnevno avanturo po grebenu gorovja Chic-Choc, ki je Les Lacs, Les Crêtes, in Les Graves kombinirana pot, ki skupaj tvori Forillonov odsek Mednarodne apalaške poti (q.v.)
Oznake na zemljevidu označujejo lokacijo poti.
Enostavne poti
- 1 Pot La Chute. Nahaja se v gorski notranjosti parka med Cap-des-Rosiers in Cap-aux-Os, ta en km dolga zanka se spušča po strmi dolini brbotajočega potoka, mimo čudovitega slapa, skritega v javorovem javorju in cedre. Ta lahka pot je večino poti označena z lesenim sprehajalnim pasom, vendar ima nekaj strmih stopnic.
- 2 Prélude à Forillon Trail. Ime te poti, ki v prevodu pomeni "Preludij v Forillon", ni napačno poimenovano: ta 600 m dolga promenada za Interpretacijski center North Area(Center d'interprétation du secteur nord) ponuja ptičje perspektive po vseh raznolikih pokrajinah parka, gozdastih preprogah in obalnih obalah. Na voljo so multisenzorični interpretacijski moduli, ki še dodatno razjasnijo, kaj vidite, in vam pomagajo, da zaznate, kaj sploh predstavlja Forillon. Prélude à Forillon je najlažja pot v parku in edina, ki je popolnoma dostopna za invalidske vozičke.
- 3 Pot La Taïga. Na peščeni ražnji palačinke La Penouille ta pot poteka skozi enega najbolj oddaljenih južnih odsekov borealnega gozda na planetu. Tajga, po kateri je pot dobil ime, je fascinanten ekosistem dreves, obrobljenih z lišaji, redkih in ogroženih rastlin, kot je mesečnica marjetica, in močvirskih ptic, ki se hranijo v slankasti priobalni plitvini (svoj daljnogled prinesite na razgledno rolo na rob močvirja, da jih nevsiljivo opazujem). Pot se začne ob strani dostopne ceste 1 km (0,6 milje) mimo parkirišča centra za obiskovalce in se nadaljuje 1,5 km (0,9 milje), konča pa se na točki naprej ob dostopni cesti, tako da zanka znaša 2,8 km (1,7 milj) skupaj. Ker je tajga krhko okolje, ki je izjemno občutljivo na vdor ljudi, morajo pohodniki ostati na označenih poteh.
- Une Tournée v les Parages. Ta 3-kilometrska zanka skozi Spomenik velikega groba se začne na parkirišču zraven Pristanišče Grande-Grave. Začenši s precej strmim vzponom nazaj proti cesti in naprej v notranjost, boste mimo odprtih polj, posejanih s čudovitimi solinami, ki so nekoč pripadale ribiškim družinam, ki so se generacijam preživljale s trsko, ki je vrvela v vodah pred Forillonom . Lahko si ogledate muzejske eksponate v restavriranem Hiša Dolbel-Roberts in Skladišče Hyman & Sons ki sledijo zgodovini Grande-Grave kot ribiške skupnosti ali pa preprosto uživajo v vseprisotnem panoramskem pogledu na zaliv Gaspé.
Poti zmerne težavnosti
- Les Graves Trail. Grave (pogosteje se piše grève) je arhaična francoska beseda, ki se nanaša na prodnato ali prodnato plažo in pohodniki na tej poti zagotovo vidijo svoj delež tistih, ko se vijejo med celinskim gozdom in robom obalnih blefov na poti do konca kopnega pri Cap-Gaspéju , kjer istoimensko Svetilnik Cap-Gaspé čaka s čudovitim razgledom na odprte vode zaliva sv. Lovrenca. Les Graves Trail se začne pri pristanišču Grande-Grave in se v smeri do konca razteza 7,6 km (4,7 milje), toda pohodniki, ki bi raje naredili skrajšano različico poti, lahko začnejo na nadomestni stezi, ki se nahaja na koncu asfalta cesti pri 5 L'Anse-aux-Amérindiens (na voljo omejeno parkirišče), od koder je Cap-Gaspé 4-km (2,5 milje) pohod v eno smer. Pohodniki naj si dovolijo 4½ ure in 2½ ure povratnega potovanja iz Grande-Grave in L'Anse-aux-Amérindiens. Pot je večji del poti tlakovana z gramozom, še posebej bližje Grande-Graveu, vendar se strmi vzponi, ko se približujete Cap-Gaspéju, lahko izkažejo za začetnike pohodnike.
- Pot Mont-Saint-Alban. Za planino 283 m (934 čevljev) nad morsko gladino je pot Mont-Saint-Alban presenetljivo enostavna - še posebej, ko boste pod pasom dobili strme vzpone blizu obale. Ko se povzpnete po alpskem gozdu, ki se oprime gorovja, vas bodo odnesli osupljivi pogledi na videz vsak zavoj - toda najbolj veličastni med njimi so shranjeni za veliki finale, na vrhu opazovalni stolp na vrhu. Mont-Saint-Alban is accessible from two separate starting points at opposite sides of the park: head to the south trailhead at 6 Petit-Gaspé Beach(Plage de Petit-Gaspé) for a more gradual and leisurely ascent, while the north trailhead at Cap Bon-Ami kicks off a short, steep climb. If you choose to continue past the observation tower, there's a loop trail that rings the base of the mountain; the total distance is 7.2 km (4.5 miles) from Petit-Gaspé and 7.8 km (4.8 miles) from Cap Bon-Ami. If you'd rather just do the observation tower and back, the round trip is 5.4 km (3.4 miles) from Petit-Gaspé and 3.8 km (2.4 miles) from Cap Bon-Ami.
- Le Portage Trail. This all-day hike (seven hours round-trip) through the dense mountain forest leads you over the ridge of the Chic-Chocs from one side of the park to the other via a steep valley carved by the Anse-au-Griffon River and other waterways, where bears, moose, and other woodland wildlife abound. Le Portage Trail is wide, paved with gravel, stretches 10 km (6.25 miles) in length, and shares a northern terminus with its companion trail described below: the 4 Le Portage/La Vallée north trailhead is located in L'Anse-au-Griffon, 1.4 km (0.9 miles) off Route 132 at the end of Chemin du Portage. The 5 Le Portage south trailhead is located at the Operational Centre(Centre opérationnel) east of Fort Peninsula.
- La Vallée Trail. A shorter and somewhat less wild alternative to Le Portage, the gravel-paved La Vallée Trail passes through a similarly forested milieu on the other side of the river but boasts a pair of picnic areas and a shelter. The 6 La Vallée south trailhead is located at a junction with Le Portage trail about 4 km (2.5 miles) from its northern terminus; like its counterpart, it ends at the parking lot at the end of Chemin du Portage in L'Anse-au-Griffon. You can hike it from one end to the other and back for a 9.2-km (5.8-mile) round trip, or combine it with the northern part of Le Portage to form an 8.6-km (5.3-mile) loop that crosses the river twice. Either way, plan for about 2½ hours overall.
Difficult trails
Skupaj z Les Graves trail (listed above as a moderate-difficulty trail), the two trails below comprise Forillon's segment of the International Appalachian Trail, and both are generally through-hiked consecutively in one direction or the other. A round-trip hike from the Les Lacs trailhead in Rivière-Morris to Cap Gaspé and back could be done in two very long days, but three days is probably more reasonable. Lean-to shelters and backcountry campsites are available; see the Spi section for details.
- 7 Les Crêtes Trail. The middle sector of the three-in-one trail that extends across Forillon lengthwise takes you along the crests (crêtes in French) of the mountain ridge on the spine of the peninsula, through a wooded and mountainous milieu with panoramic highland vistas and distant glimpses of Gaspé Bay and the St. Lawrence Estuary popping their heads up frequently. It's a distance of 18.2 km (11.3 miles) from the trailhead near the operational centre to Petit-Gaspé Beach where the Les Graves trail picks up: a hike of 6½ hours one-way.
- 8 Les Lacs Trail. This trail takes its name from the many pristine mountain lakes hikers pass as they climb, dip, and meander their way through the mighty Chic-Choc Mountains. Watch out for black bears and other wildlife as you make your way through the boreal forest, and take time out to admire the scenic mountaintop views (the ones in the Morris River valley near the trail's west end are a particular highlight). Les Lacs trail extends 17.6 km (10.9 miles) from the park's western boundary at Rivière-Morris to its junction with the Le Portage trail, where the Les Crêtes trail picks up. Allow 6 hours one-way.
Kolesarjenje
Aside from the Route Verte that's described above, cyclists have several other options in Forillon. There's a short, asphalt-paved loop trail at La Penouille for those with a relaxed and easygoing two-wheeled outing in mind, while seasoned mountain bikers looking for a challenge can share the hillier, gravel-paved Le Portage in La Vallée trails (q.v.), as well as the eastern half of the Les Graves Trail (beginning at L'Anse-aux-Amérindiens), with hikers.
In early September, the Forillon portion of the Route Verte and many of the trails mentioned above play host to Gran Fondo Forillon[mrtva povezava]. Held yearly since 2012 by the Gaspé Vélocipeg Club(Club vélocipeg de Gaspé), Gran Fondo Forillon is reputed to be one of the toughest bicycle races in North America. Courses range from the Famili Fondo — a non-timed, 10-km (6.2-mile) ride that's perfect for families with children and first-time event cyclists and followed by a beachfront picnic at Petit-Gaspé — to the grueling, 168-km (104-mile) Alto Fondo, where the hardest-core of hardcore bike racers circumnavigate the entire park over hill and dale, then follow the Route Verte further west along the St. Lawrence Estuary to Grand-Étang. Registration ranges from $10 to $110 depending on the course you choose, and includes insurance and post-event snacks and refreshments.
Sports
The 7 Petit-Gaspé Recreation Centre(Centre récréatif Petit-Gaspé) has tennis and volleyball courts, as well as a playground for children. It's open yearly between June 13 and September 13, 10AM-5PM.
Horseback riding
In addition to hikers and mountain bikers, Le Portage, La Vallée, and the eastern portion of Les Graves Trail are open to horseback riders.
Winter activities
Since 2014, through a partnership between Parks Canada and Le Griffon Cultural Centre(Centre culturel Le Griffon), La Vallée in Le Portage Trails have been groomed in the winter for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and (on Le Portage only) dogsledding. In addition to the trails themselves, the parking areas at either end of Le Portage trail are plowed to furnish access for those arriving by car, as is a 4-km (2.5-mile) stretch of Boulevard de Grande-Grève that leads to the South Sector Visitor Centre(Centre d'accueil du secteur Sud) in Grande-Grave, which is open as a rest and warm-up stop for skiers. The Répit Nord shelter near the midpoint of La Vallée trail also remains open, but it's important to note that there are no off-season maintenance staff to clean up after visitors, so leave-no-trace principles apply.
In the water
Swimming
The Petit-Gaspé Recreation Centre contains a heated outdoor pool patrolled by lifeguards, as well as a wading pool for kids. These facilities are open yearly from June 20 through August 28 at a price of $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for children age 6 to 16, and free to children 5 and under.
For whose who'd prefer to swim in the ocean, opportunities are concentrated on the south shore of the park, in Gaspé Bay, shallower parts of which sometimes warm up enough to take a dip. Foremost among these is 9 Penouille Beach(Plage de Penouille), on the eponymous sandspit that's surrounded by the shallow, protected waters of the bay. There's a park shuttle bus that will take you from the visitors' centre to the beach for $1.25. The beach has no lifeguards, but it's within easy walking distance of such Penouille-area amenities as the snack bar, the Parks Canada gift shop, and the ÉcoRécréorental centre where beach accessories such as chairs, umbrellas, and toys are stocked. Swimmers are required to stay away from the floating dock and the ecologically sensitive salt marshes, and should watch out for kiteboarders and personal watercraft that come and go from the area.
Whale-watching
- Croisières Baie-de-Gaspé, ☏ 1 418-892-5500. See website for schedule. Operating out of Grande-Grave Wharf from June 1 through Thanksgiving weekend, Croisières Baie-de-Gaspé offers bilingual whale-watching cruises in a 48-passenger, handicap-accessible aluminum boat (the Narval III) that is specially designed to safely approach whales at closer proximity than other boats, giving passengers an up-close-and-personal look at these massive creatures from the comfort of a large, well-equipped vessel. The waters surrounding Forillon are home to seven species of whale, as well as playful dolphins and harbour seals that passengers often see sunning themselves on offshore rocks — and as the only whale-watching cruise authorized to operate within the national park, there's a refreshing lack of tour boat traffic and other cacophonous brouhaha to muck up your experience (just what the doctor ordered if you're arriving from touristy Percé). Standard cruises last 2½ hours and cover both the north and south shore of Forillon, furnishing good views not only of sea life but also of the Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse(Phare de Cap-des-Rosiers) in The Old Man(Le Vieux), a vaguely anthropomorphic sea stack that stands just off Cap Gaspé. Private charters are also available, which will take you to the seabird colony at Cap Bon-Ami or even as far as Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock. Cruises leave rain or shine, and binoculars and rain gear are available for rental. $70, seniors and students with ID $65, children age 4-15 $40, children 3 and under free; families $160 for two adults and one child and $15 for each additional child. National park entry fee not included.
Snorkelling and scuba diving
- Plongée Forillon, ☏ 1 418-892-5888. Daily 8AM-6PM. If undersea diving is your cup of tea, Plongée Forillon is worth checking out: rain or shine from June 13 to September 13 (and offseason on prior arrangement), these folks run small Zodiac boats between Grande-Grave Wharf and one of the many harbour seal colonies on Forillon's shores, where snorkellers can swim with the seals and also encounter other marine life such as starfish and lobster. All ages and experience levels are welcome on these three-hour excursions (of which one hour is spent in the water), and wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and all other necessary gear is supplied free of charge. For PADI-certified scuba divers, diving outings are also offered. $75, children under 17 $65; national park entry fee not included.
Ribolov
Though it was the mainstay of the region's economy for centuries, today Grande-Grave Wharf is the only place in Forillon where fishing is allowed. The cod that teemed in Gaspé Bay are long-gone, victims of a population collapse in the early 1990s that hit Canada's east coast economy hard, but anglers still fish for several other saltwater species here — most notably mackerel, which in Forillon can be caught without a permit. Mackerel fishers are subject to a daily catch limit of ten fish — this includes those caught for consumption as well as catch-and-release — and can only use one line at a time, with a single or triple hook. If you don't have your own, poles can be rented from Cap Aventure (glej spodaj). Also keep in mind that Grande-Grave Wharf is an active harbour, so keep your fishing line away from the boats and other watercraft that come and go, as well as the divers you'll sometimes see.
If you intend to fish for other species that frequent the area, such as capelin and Atlantic salmon, restrictions may apply. Consult the websites of Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Quebec Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks(Ministère des forêts, de la faune et des parcs du Québec) for more specific federal and provincial regulations, respectively, about your species of choice.
Sea kayaking
- Cap Aventure, ☏ 1 418-892-5056. "Meet the Seals" excursion departs daily 8AM, "Zodiac Safari" departs 9AM, "Cap Gaspé" excursion departs 7AM on prior request, "Around Forillon" excursion departs 6:30AM on prior request. See website for schedule for "Seals at Sunset" excursion. Opportunities for the adventurous visitor to Forillon don't come much better than Cap Aventure's guided kayak tours. To call what they offer "seal-watching excursions" wouldn't do them justice: much more than just another touristy trifle, these tours are true educational experiences, where seasoned guides put their affiliation with the Marine Mammal Watchers' Network(Réseau d'observateurs des mammifères marins) to good use in providing a window into the delicate ecosystem of Gaspé Bay, conducted in a manner that is sustainable and respectful of the natural environment. It's not all dry academia, though — the learning experience is punctuated daily by unforgettable sights like a pod of seals dancing and playing around your boat, the plaintive bellow of whales breeching in the distance, and seabirds by the hundreds taking flight from the top of the sheer seaside cliffs. Cap Aventure offers a range of excursions tailored to customers' individual needs: the short Meet the Seals(Rencontre avec les phoques) excursion is open to participants five and older and sticks to the interior of Gaspé Bay, while longer tours round Cap Gaspé into the estuary or even pass southward down the Gaspesian coast as far as Bonaventure Island. The Seals at Sunset(Phoques au coucher du soleil) excursion is especially popular. All excursions depart from Cap-aux-Os Beach just outside the park boundary, with the exception of the Cap-Gaspé tour, which leaves directly from Grande-Grave Wharf, in Around Forillon(Pourtour de Forillon) which leaves from Cap-des-Rosiers. And if kayaking is not your cup of tea, Cap Aventure also offers two-and-a-half-hour "Zodiac Safaris" out to the seal colonies in a 12-passenger boat helmed by an experienced captain-cum-docent. The season runs begins May 8 (June 1 for zodiac excursions) and runs through October 6, and wetsuits are provided during the spring and fall. Website in French only. See website for detailed price structure.
Stand-up paddleboarding
- ÉcoRécréo, ☏ 1 418-360-7292. Daily 9AM-5PM, mid-June through Sept 7. ÉcoRécréo is a company that's near and dear to the hearts of Québécois adventurers, with equipment rental centres and organized outdoor activities set up in locations all over the province. Their Forillon branch, located at La Penouille Visitor Centre, is perhaps best known for offering stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) — a new-school watersport that's perhaps best compared to surfing with an oar. The experienced can rent boards for $12 per hour, $26 per half-day, or $45 per day; for the uninitiated, an introductory course in the sport is offered at nearby Penouille Beach. Beyond that, the rental kiosk also stocks a full range of other gear for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes: everything from beach chairs and sunscreens to quadricycles and Segways, available at varying prices (the website has a full breakdown).
Nakup
There's a small gift shop at the visitor centre at La Penouille, with a modest selection of souvenirs and other paraphernalia. It's open from June 20 through September 7.
There is also a convenience store at the Petit-Gaspé Recreation Centre open from June 13 through September 13, that stocks a range of gear tailored to the various recreational activities offered by the park.
Jejte in pijte
The La Penouille Visitor Centre in Petit-Gaspé Recreation Centre each contain a snack bar serving a limited selection of simple fare off the grill.
Spi
Prenočišče
While there are no hotels or motels within Forillon, there are numerous options in the adjacent city of Gaspé and also quite a few a short distance south in Percé. See the linked article sections for specific details.
Kampiranje
Forillon has three campgrounds, containing serviced (with electricity, water, and sewer), semi-serviced (with electricity only), and primitive sites. As of 2018, nightly rates are $32.30, $29.40, and $25.50, respectively, not including the park admission fee.
Parks Canada accommodates "glampers" at Forillon with about a dozen so-called oTENTik tents at the Des-Rosiers and Petit-Gaspé campgrounds: ready-made campsites perfect for those who want a taste of the outdoor experience without giving up all their creature comforts.
- 1 Cap Bon-Ami Campground (Camping Cap-Bon-Ami). Open June 19 through September 6. Perfect for those in search of a primitive camping experience, this is about the closest experience to the backcountry that Forillon offers without actually being in the backcountry. In a cliffside clearing next to the Mont-Saint-Alban trailhead lie 38 unserviced sites for tents.
- 2 Des-Rosiers Campground (Camping Des-Rosiers). Open May 30 through October 11. Des-Rosiers campground comprises 147 lots, both with and without electric hookups, in a wooded milieu in the north sector of the park. There's a playground for kids nearby, a dumping station located at the campground entrance, and water outlets also available. Des-Rosiers campground also includes eight oTENTik tents of the "Basic Service" variety — furnished indoors with three beds, a table, four chairs and a bench, and with a picnic bench, campfire pit, and parking for two vehicles outside — that are available at a rate of $100/night.
- 3 Petit-Gaspé Campground (Camping Petit-Gaspé). Open June 19 through September 6. If you want a secluded wilderness experience, look elsewhere — but if you want to be within an easy walk of a gaggle of fun activities, Petit-Gaspé may be the campground for you. Forillon's largest campground (with 167 sites) is located a short distance away from the Petit-Gaspé Recreation Centre, with a playground, swimming pool, snack bar, tennis and volleyball courts, and numerous other amenities. As at Des-Rosiers, sites come with or without electricity, and dumping stations and water outlets are provided. Petit-Gaspé's Loop F is made up of seven oTENTik tents, where, for a price of $120/night, those who've opted for the "Ready-to-Camp" package can avail themselves of all the amenities provided by the basic service plus indoor heating, electricity, a small fridge, dishes and utensils, and a hotplate (cooking allowed outdoors only).
Backcountry
Long-distance hikers along the Les Lacs/Les Crêtes combination trail can avail themselves of three backcountry campsites, which have basic amenities such as dry toilets and picnic tables. In addition, two of these campsites also include lean-to shelters that each sleep four, perfect for those who haven't brought along their own tents. Campsites must be reserved in advance — call 1 418-368-5505 to book, or make your reservation on the spot at any park entrance or visitor centre. Lean-to shelters cost $15/night, but camping is free if you use your own tent. Open-air wood fires are prohibited in the backcountry, so if you're planning on cooking food, bring a portable cookstove.
- 4 Backcountry campsite with lean-to shelter(Les Lacs trail)
- 5 Backcountry campsite without lean-to shelter(Les Crêtes trail)
- 6 Backcountry campsite with lean-to shelter(Les Crêtes trail)
Ostani varen
- If you'll be hiking and camping in Forillon's backcountry, you should already know to get educated about the terrain you're planning to cross: topographic maps are often an essential item for long-distance hikers to pack. It also pays to bring along plenty of water and perhaps a first-aid kit — cell-phone service in Forillon is spotty and there isn't exactly an abundance of other backcountry hikers on those trails, so medical treatment may be hard to come by. Check out Wikivoyage's article on nahrbtnik v divjini for more tips.
- One of the main attractions in Forillon is the wildlife that calls the park home, but some of these animals can pose dangers to visitors if not dealt with properly. Although they're not usually interested in much beyond rummaging through your trash, it pays to keep in mind that Forillon is black bear country. To keep this from happening, a good idea is to triple-bag (at least) your garbage — along with food, cooking utensils, and anything else that may smell appetizing to bears — and hang it up at least 5 m (16 feet) off the ground and at least 100 m (330 feet) downwind of your campsite. However, if you've got a mother bear who feels protective of her cubs, then it's a different story and you've got a potentially dangerous situation on your hands. Loud noises will generally scare a bear off in this situation — try clanging a pair of garbage can lids together — and if that doesn't work, back away from the animal slowly and without making any sudden movements. Bear repellent spray is another possible option — contrary to popular belief, it is legal in Canada so long as the package clearly states that it's intended for use against animals.
- Moose are another species native to Forillon that can pose a hazard. Not only can a mother moose defending her young be as aggressive as any bear, but moose crossing the road in front of speeding cars are also responsible for scores of injuries or deaths every year in the Gaspé Peninsula. Being much taller and heavier than deer and other types of roadkill you may be used to, moose that are struck by cars are likely to collapse right on top of you, enhancing the potential for damage to your vehicle (or you). Drivers in Forillon should keep to a reasonable speed, always wear their safety belt, and use high beams at night when it's safe to do so. If you're visiting late in the season, around September or October when moose are at their most active, this goes double.
- Speaking of driving: if you're here for the tek na smučeh offered in the winter (or if you've just decided to ignore the annual October 12 closing date), be extra careful on the roads. The cold and snow of Gaspesian winters are legendary even by Canadian standards, so in the cold months it pays to drive slowly, keep a safe distance from the car in front of you, and adapt your car travel plans to the changing weather conditions. In a pinch, an emergency kit can also be a godsend. Glej Winter driving for more tips.
- In case of medical emergency, the nearest hospital is in Gaspé.
Pojdi naprej
- Unless you've arrived by boat, you're not going anywhere out of Forillon without first passing through Gaspé — this largest city, unofficial capital, and commercial centre of the Gaspé Peninsula borders the park on all landward sides. While Gaspé is a lot less "touristy" in the traditional sense than many of the region's other towns, there are a handful of attractions for visitors: you can learn about Gaspesian history and culture at the Gaspé Regional Museum(Musée de la Gaspésie); visit the Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse(Phare de Cap-des-Rosiers), Canada's tallest at 34 m (112 feet) in height which stands not far from the boundary of Forillon (if you visited the Mont-Saint-Alban Observation Tower or hiked the Prélude à Forillon trail while visiting the park, you've likely already caught a glimpse of it in the distance); or relax on one of several pleasant beaches.
- Venture out further along Route 132 ouest, and about 2 hours after Gaspé you'll come to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. Besides being a convenient roadside stop with service stations, restaurants, and motels aplenty, here you have world-class salmon fishing on the Sainte-Anne River, kitesurfing at Cartier Beach, and an annual driftwood sculpture festival in August. However, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is most notable to travellers as the gateway to...
- Gaspésie National Park, 80 km² (31 square miles) of pristine wilderness nestled in the highest heights of the Chic-Choc Mountains, about half an hour south of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts via Provincial Route 299. Backcountry adventurers who tackled the mountains of Forillon on Les Lacs in Les Crêtes trails will find even more thrilling challenges awaiting them at Gaspésie, including the granddaddy of them all — the 100-km (62-mile) Grande Traversée to Mont Jacques-Cartier, which passes through the territory of the last caribou herd south of the St. Lawrence on its way to the Chic-Chocs' highest peak. Fishing and kayaking on Cascapédia Lake, mountain biking, and — in winter — exciting Alpine skiing and snowboarding in five separate ski areas are on tap as well.
- Head in the other direction down Route 132 and the next place you'll come to is Percé, an unabashed tourist town whose bustle may be jarring for those who've grown used to the majestic solitude of Forillon (and most of the rest of the Gaspé Peninsula). But the crowds come for a good reason: Percé is home to the eponymous Percé Rock(Rocher Percé), a naturally arch-shaped offshore rock formation that's become the iconic emblem of the Gaspé Peninsula, which together with the seabird haven of Bonaventure Island(Île Bonaventure) make up yet another entry in the Gaspé's roster of national parks.
| Routes through Forillon National Park |
| Rimouski ← Petite-Vallée ← | W  E | → Gaspé → Rimouski |