The Sentier du littoral, the paths in the municipal forest and the wooden sculptures offer three distinct ways to experience Sainte-Félicité: coastal landscapes, outdoor activities and local history. For planning purposes, it is worth considering these themes separately. The coastal trail in particular involves tides, seasonal access and the return journey; the forest offers different activities for different seasons.

Coastal Trail: Scenery and the Return Journey

The Sentier du littoral stretches across Sainte-Félicité and Grosses-Roches and is 14 km long (one way). Its sections run alongside beaches and impressive cliffs. At low tide, you can observe marine organisms along the trail that are usually underwater. If you plan to do this, check the tide times. The Sentier du littoral is seasonal and is not maintained; take this limitation into account before making it a fixed part of your trip.

One access point in Sainte-Félicité is through the municipal beach area at Parc Isabelle Boulay. Other trailheads are at the municipal rest stop west of the village and via the stairs behind the church. Since the trail is 14 km one way, you should have a vehicle waiting at the other end or arrange to share a ride back. Plan the return journey along with your starting point: with this route choice, it needs to be part of the plan from the outset.

Forest Paths for Different Activities

The paths in the municipal forest are free to use year-round for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The different activities offer different ways to spend time outdoors. You can also choose which ones suit your stay based on the season. This makes the forest different from the seasonal Sentier du littoral.

The orange trail in the municipal forest is 2 km long and designed as a family trail. It is decorated depending on the season. Its length provides a clear comparison with the coastal trail’s 14 km one-way route: the two trails differ considerably in their stated distances. This lets you take route length into account when choosing, while keeping the different conditions of each trail in mind.

Wooden Sculptures and Finding Your Way Around

The four wooden sculptures are called Le pêcheur, L'agriculteur, L'enseignante and Le bûcheron. They were created as a tribute to the town’s pioneers. Their names highlight four professions; their shared dedication connects the works to local history. Alongside coastal scenery and outdoor activities, Sainte-Félicité thus also offers a tangible cultural connection.

L'enseignante stands near the church in the town centre, close to the schools. Its location provides a reference point for finding your way around town. The sculpture is identified not only by its name, but also by its position between the church, town centre and schools.

Shore Access and Trip Planning

Sainte-Félicité offers public access to the shore. Individual access points may change, so check which entrance you plan to use before setting out. The municipality also has a boat launch ramp. Shore access and the boat ramp are two different ways to include the town’s connection to the water in your plans.

If you plan to take the Sentier du littoral, seasonal access and the return journey are practical considerations. In the forest, you can choose between hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. This makes it possible to shape your stay around the town’s specific offerings.

Discover more destinations: Sainte-Paule, Les Méchins, Saint-Ulric, Matane, Baie-Des-Sables

Back to the main travel guide: Matane.