Our adventure took place in the heart of the Outaouais region, in the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau MRC. This 13,424 square-kilometer wilderness (one-third the size of Switzerland) is bounded by the Collines-de-l’Outaouais MRC, the Pontiac and Bras-Coupé-Désert ZECs, as well as theRéserve faunique La Vérendrye and the Antoine-Labelle MRC.  My friends and I all agree: Quebec’s nature is sublime, but the Outaouais took us by surprise with its enchanting landscapes. 

To kick-off this expedition, I thought it would be a good idea to start in vacation mode, with casual fishing, outdoor cooking and a bit of comfort in a warm, rustic cottage. Perfect for taking time out to catch up with friends, catch up on our lives and enjoy nature in a relaxed mode.  Domaine Pine Grove was the perfect place for this start! It was the first time we’d all been to this resort. Located in sheltered Philomène Bay, bordered by two natural lakes that are part of the Baskatong reservoir (a huge 320 sq.km body of water), Pine Grove is easy to access: only 12 km from the village of Grand-Remous, about a three-hour drive from Montreal.  When you think of fishing with friends and relaxing, fly-fishing for pike isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But it’s through silences interspersed with heartfelt laughter, the soothing sound of a crackling fire on the beach and the smell of our freshly caught pike fish & chips that nature invites us to follow their pace. And this is where the idea of relaxation really kicked on its own.  Pine Grove has a lot to offer for outdoors enthusiasts of all stipes: hunting, fishing, wilderness, camping, cottages, etc.; all year round. Their stewardship of the land is responsible, and the management is as warm and welcoming as their cottages. We took advantage of the Wi-Fi to download all the maps into our phones, and our bunk beds to enjoy one last night of comfort before the rest of the adventure. A bunk bed means talking and laughing until it’s too late. That’s the law for bunk beds! 

It was time to say goodbye to the cottage and Wi-Fi, and hello to the canoes and shelters. CarpeDiem Aventures was kind enough to provide us with three canoes they rent for our trip down the Picanoc River. The weather was also kind to us, providing optimal conditions for fishing during the descent.  Like Domaine Pine Grove, CarpeDiem Aventures offers a host of options for every type of nature lover: wilderness camping, canoe-camping, micro-cabins and equipment rental. It’s not an outfitter, but fishing is allowed, and it was its privileged access to Lake Edja that caught us by surprise and blew our minds out. 

If anyone had told us we’d find such dazzling blue water in the heart of Quebec’s forest, we would hardly believe them. Yet that’s exactly what awaited us at Lake Edja: a crystalline, almost unreal lake, hidden in the wild immensity of the region.  As soon as we set foot on the shore, the scenery left us breathless. The water was hypnotically transparent, revealing every detail of its sandy shoreline. Once on the water in a canoe, we felt as if we were suspended in mid-air. And the fishing? The bass were nibbling well, and the water was so clear you could practically see them moving below the surface.  Lake Edja is one of those little marvels you don’t expect to find along your itinerary. An invitation to slow down, savor the moment and remember why we love exploring so much. 

Having discovered the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau through its rivers and lakes, there was one last thing left to do: see it from above. So, we headed to Parc régional du Mont Morissette for a hike that took us to one of the region’s finest panoramas.   The trail is accessible, perfect for a leisurely climb with family or friends. As you climb, the foliage opens to glimpses of the valley, but it’s at the summit that the magic really happens. A 360-degree panorama of dense forests, lakes as far as the eye can see, and that incomparable sensation of standing in front of something bigger than yourself.  We sat there, just taking our time. To breathe. To look. Tell ourselves we were exactly in the right place at the right time. We regained our strength by eating our fresh homemade sandwiches of the day, bought in the village, before paying a final farewell to the region and heading back down. 

When thinking back on this expedition, it’s not just the landscapes that come to mind, but above all the moments we experienced: the laughter around the fire, the excitement before a first launch, the silences filled with wonder. The Outaouais invited us to disconnect from everything but the essentials.  If you’re looking for a slice of paradise to unwind, fish, paddle, hike or just take in a breath of fresh air, you know where to go. This land still has many secrets to reveal … and we are looking forward to returning.  + Discover places where you can cast your fishing line, isolated sites that can only be reached by seaplane, as well as places closer to home to satisfy your desire to escape.