The Via Ferrata at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Does hiking along a mountain side interest you? Then try out the via ferrata in Quebec City! Read about my experience there...
The Via Ferrata at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Those of you who know me or have read any of my other adventure posts know my number 1 fear is heights. But like any true travel junkie, I’m willing to try new experiences in places that I visit (and facing the fear once in awhile makes me feel alive!). I knew the via ferrata had something to do with heights, so the less I knew before the better.
What is Via Ferrata?
For those of you who are not familiar with what a via ferrata is, it is basically a form of hiking where you are roped onto a cable and you climb along (or in my case, grip with my life to the side of the mountain) the rock and some metal fixings that have been installed into the side of the mountain for you to hold on to. You go with a small group to ensure safety and proximity to your tour guide.
Types of Via Ferrata at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
The park offers 3 different types of via ferrata for beginners and intermediate climbers. I did “The Torrent of Montmorency” tour, which is listed as an intermediate course. In all honesty, if you are not a regular climber and do not really care for heights, I would classify this as an advanced course. However, if you do regularly climb or are used to activities like mountain climbing/hiking, then it would definitely be a more intermediate course.
What makes this type of activity so rigorous (besides reminding myself to never look down, back, around, or anything besides the rock and where I was stepping) is that it is a dual thinking and physical activity. You really have to calculate your next move and think about where you will place your hands and feet. This activity is not a leisurely stroll through the park!
Who Should Do Via Ferrata?
I would recommend the via ferrata to anyone who is an avid climber, loves outdoor adventure activities, or loves an active/thinking challenge. I wouldn’t necessarily let a fear of heights deter you from going either because the trained tour guides do a great job at making you feel safe and comfortable. Just be aware that this is definitely a rigorous activity. It took our group about 3 hours to complete the course!
One last tip: WEAR LONG PANTS! I wore biking pants that cut off around my knees and I was a little scraped up at the end (mainly because I was hugging the rock out of fear haha). So just opt for pants...
Click HERE for more info on the park.
This trip was sponsored by the Quebec City Tourism Board. All opinions are my own.
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Adventures in Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Spend a day at the Parc de la Chute-Montomorency and you can zip line across the waterfall!
Adventures in Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Catching a view of the massive waterfalls, going on a rigorous hiking trail, scaling a mountain, zip lining over a waterfall, and ending with a picnic overlooking the sunset at Ile d’Orleans...just another day at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency!
Where is it and how to get there
The gorgeous Parc de la Chute-Montmorency is located just outside the city center of Quebec City. It is really easy to reach, so no need to worry if you don’t have a car. You can rent a bike and enjoy the ride there (which I did thanks to Cyclo Services), which takes about 30-45 minutes. One full day of bike rental will cost about $35 depending on the type of bike you need.
Once you arrive at the park, take the cable car up to the top of the mountain (starts around $20 round-trip for adults) and soak in all the views of the Montmorency Falls. Once you’re at the top, you can really have a variety of experiences while you’re there!
What to do in the park
Some activities you can enjoy at the park include hiking, enjoying the waterfall views, biking, zip lining over the waterfall, via ferrata, picnic, theatre, snow hiking, ice climbing, taking children to the playground, and even dining at a nice restaurant. There is something for people of all ages and interests to enjoy.
MY FAVORITE PART OF PARC DE LA CHUTE-MONTMORENCY: ZIP LINE!!!
The park just installed a brand new dual zip line that basically goes right over the falls and allows you to get a unique view of the Montmorency Falls. It is such an invigorating and beautiful experience to be that high, up close and personal with the falls. Such a rush and worth every penny!!!
Click HERE for more information on the park.
This trip was sponsored by the Quebec City Tourism Board. All opinions are my own.
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What To Do At Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier
Find out what to do during a visit at the beautiful Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier.
What To Do At Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier
Just a short 30-minute drive from Quebec City lays the breathtaking natural beauty that is Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier. With rolling hills and deep valleys of lush forest and nature, it is the perfect countryside escape from the nearby city. It is a true haven for the outdoor/adventure traveler!
Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier, which is open year-round, has a ton of activities and adventures to offer visitors. You can do anything from water rafting, to camping, to hiking, to fishing. Here are some of the activities and services you can enjoy:
Canoe-camping (26 km)
Mountain biking
Kayaking
Canoeing
Hiking
Water rafting
Fishing (mostly trout due to conservation laws)
Camping (available year-round): Yurts, Cabins, Canoe-camping, Huttopia Tent, Rustic Shelter
Geocaching
Inner tube rafting
Wildlife observation
Skiing
Snowshoeing
Picnic
Toboggan/Tubing in winter
For a full list of pricing and activities, you can go HERE.
My Hike and Water Raft Ride
When I visited the park, I went on a short hike through one of the easier trails where I was able to take in the panoramic views and observe the natural life around me.
Our tour guide Marie was a wealth of information when it came to local animals and nature that you can find in the park. Her passion and knowledge of the subject made it so interesting to follow along!
We had a nice picnic along the river of the Jacques-Cartier Valley, followed by some water rafting. The water rafting activity we did was very light as the rapids were not aggressive at this location of the park. I would definitely recommend it for people of any age and any level of expertise (it was definitely beginner level and easy to manage).
This trip was sponsored by the Quebec City Tourism Board. All opinions are my own.
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Quebec City Walking Tour
Quebec City is a perfect city to explore by walking. Learn and explore at the same time with a walking tour by Cicérone!
A Walking Tour of Quebec City with Cicérone
The best way to get to know any city is simply walking around and exploring. When you’re in a historic city, it is even better to have someone who knows the history to walk you around and tell you anything you want to know.
Strolling Through Quebec City
I started out my first full day in Quebec City with a walking guided tour from the experts at Cicérone. We met our guide in the Plains of Abraham where he started out by giving us some background about how the city was founded. After that, we were on our way to explore Quebec City.
What We Saw & Duration of Tour
The entire walking tour was about 2 hours and we went through some key places of the city: Old Quebec, Chateau Frontenac, Notre Dame de Quebec, and many more! Our expert guide was able to share tons of interesting information from the last 400 years of the city's history.
Who Should Go?
Cicérone offers tours in both English and French, and they even have some of the tour guides in traditional historic Québécois clothing. The tours go through various parts of the city, so you can choose which one fits you or your group best. Prices start around $22 and it is definitely worth it if you’re looking to get some historic insight on your surroundings in Quebec City.
This trip was sponsored by the Quebec City Tourism Board. All opinions are my own.
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A New Kind Of Spa Experience
One afternoon at this spa will make you feel like you have had 3 massages. Just remember: hot, cold, rest, hot, cold, rest...
Siberia Spa: Quebec City's Outdoor Spa Experience
Who doesn’t love a relaxing day at the spa? After a day of rigorous exercise and activities in Quebec City, I was so ready to try out the Nordic Spa located just on the outskirts of the city center at Siberia Spa.
The Siberia Spa experience is based around the Scandinavian concept of thermotherapy where you alternate between hot, cold, and resting treatments in a natural and relaxing environment. The process is said to relax muscles, reduce stress, improve sleep, eliminate toxins, and strengthen the immune system. *To put it in simpler terms, it can feel like the equivalent of having up to 3 massages...which is amazing...
When You Arrive
When you arrive at the spa you are given a key to your personal locker in the changing rooms where you change into your swimsuit. Once you exit the locker room, you step out into a picturesque natural oasis located outside in the back of the building. This spa is basically in the middle of a forest so there is nature and beauty all around.
*You are also asked to be silent while in the spa in order to promote relaxation for yourself and the rest of the guests.
The Process: Hot, Cold, Rest
There are different stations of hot, cold, and resting areas throughout the spa. The team recommends that you use this process of intervals (hot, cold, rest) while moving through the spa. The duration that you spend at each station is completely up to you! Just listen to your body and what feels comfortable for you.
For hot treatments, they have 6 outdoor hot tubs, a eucalyptus steam bath (my personal favorite!), an infrared sauna, and a Finnish-style sauna. For cold treatments, they have cold baths with thermal falls (I only dipped into the cold water for about 2 seconds...) or a small dipping station at the river in the back.
The resting stations included outdoor hammocks strung up between trees, a Yurt, Upe Pavilion, and Dream Lodge (this one had travel videos and soothing music in it) all with warm fires in the middle of the room to keep you nice and cozy. There was also an indoor/outdoor igloo, which I was told changes with the seasons.
Who Should Go? When To Go?
I would recommend Siberia Spa to anyone (solo or grouped) who enjoys spa treatments and relaxation, couples, friends, athletes or athletic types. They only allow adults (18+), except on select days of the weekend, so I wouldn’t recommend it for a family with young ones.
Siberia Spa is also open year-round! Since Quebec City has 4 distinct seasons, this could be an interesting place to see throughout the year with the nature constantly changing.
The Overall Experience
I was very impressed with the overall experience at Siberia Spa! The facilities were very clean, the staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and the treatment itself was so relaxing and soothing. Listening to what your body needs is key to getting the most out of your time here.
The team at Siberia Spa is constantly looking to enhance the guest experience here, so they are looking to expand the grounds and even add in a restaurant/cafe lounge in the next year for guests to enjoy a nice meal while they are relaxing at the spa. They also now offer other spa treatments in addition to the water treatments on the grounds. I’ll definitely be going back to check this out in the future!
*Click HERE for more info on Siberia Spa
This trip was sponsored by the Quebec City Tourism Board. All opinions are my own.
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Places To Eat In Quebec City
Looking for a wide range of modern cuisine options in a historic city with European charm? Quebec City is your perfect destination! Here are 5 of my picks from my time in QC.
Places to Eat in Quebec City
Looking for a wide range of modern cuisine options in a historic city with European charm? Quebec City is your perfect destination! From hip and trendy Italian, to country comfort food, to incredibly fresh seafood, this city is sure to please even the pickiest of foodies.
Even though I’m not a very picky eater, I have to say that the culinary scene here blew me away. In the short weekend that I visited Quebec City, I was able to try 5 very distinct restaurants and cuisines that gave me a taste of what the city has to offer.
Old Quebec City, Italian
Located just off of one of the main streets in Old Quebec is charming Bello Ristorante. The food here is traditional Italian with a hint of unique Québécois style. It is definitely an awesome Italian place to try out if you are in the mood for this cuisine!
What I love most about this location is the unique exterior charm in the front of the restaurant that is famous in Old Quebec, but then you step inside the restaurant and feel like you are in an upscale, trendy restaurant in the heart of a major city. They even have a cute outdoor patio towards the back of the dining area. It is like you’re being transported from one cool setting to another!
Old Quebec City, Canadian Comfort Food
A sister restaurant to Bello, La Buche is a restaurant that boasts amazing Québécois dishes with a twist. The decor in here is modern country and the food definitely matches the ambiance. You can even eat in the middle of the kitchen and at a table that is front row to all the action!
La Buche serves unique dishes and desserts (which were OUTSTANDING) that are traditional to the region, but have modern twists making them stand out from other types of comfort food in the area. I tried the famous Caribou drink here for the first time!
**For those who don’t know, Caribou is an amazing alcohol here that is part red wine, part whiskey, and part maple syrup. It can be served hot or cold and is just as delicious as it sounds!**
Quebec City, Microbrewery and Brasserie/Pub Food
In my opinion, a mark of a good city is that it has at least 1 microbrewery. Located in an upcoming and trendy spot of town, La Korrigane in Quebec City was a really excellent spot to stop at after a long day of outdoor activities. It is a perfect spot to kick up, relax, grab a cool beer, and eat some great pub food.
Quebec City, Upscale French Cuisine
You really can’t beat the panoramic views of Quebec City as seen from the restaurant Ciel!, which is located on the top floor of Le Concorde Hotel. The restaurant boasts some of the best views of the city because of the revolving floor that allows you to catch a glimpse at every angle while you enjoy your meal.
Expect to see “out of the ordinary” things on the menu here (i.e. no burgers and chicken tenders). Veal cheeks (my favorite), kidneys, and escargot are no strangers to the menu. Definitely save room for dessert too because they have some tasty selections!
Sushi/Seafood—Really any place...
Quebec City
The last notable mention of things that I tried in Quebec City was their sushi. I’m a huge sushi fan and tried a couple of places as I was walking through the city and was pleasantly surprised how delicious it was. With it’s close proximity to multiple bodies of water, Quebec City has some really fresh and amazing seafood that you must try while you’re there!
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As previously mentioned, Quebec City has such a wide variety of cuisines and dining experiences that locals and visitors alike can eat and enjoy. The city is full of so many more great food spots, so go out and explore!
*This trip was sponsored by the Quebec City Tourism Board. All opinions are my own.*
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Hi, I'm Ana Rebeca! Welcome to The City Sidewalks. Here you’ll find tips on Travel, Lifestyle, and Wellness.
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