ÃŽle-aux-Grues combines a diverse river landscape with trails, birdwatching and island history. The different routes and seasonal conditions help you plan your outings to suit your needs.
Landscape, Tides and Birdlife
ÃŽle-aux-Grues is part of an archipelago of about twenty islands in the St. Lawrence River. Its habitats range from mudflats and marshland to riverside forests, farmland and coastal areas. Each year, this diversity attracts thousands of migratory and nesting birds. More than 200 species have been observed on the island and in its surroundings during migration and nesting seasons.
The tides alternately expose mudflats and change the reflections and horizons. Across from the island lie the mountains of Charlevoix; their colors shift with the seasons, weather and time of day. Several trails and routes pass through marshland, farmland and wind-swept shores along the St. Lawrence estuary. Along the way, you can observe the landscape and wildlife.
Trails with Different Levels of Difficulty
Two shorter trails show how routes of similar length can have different difficulty ratings: the Sentier du Haut-marais is about 1.5 km long and easy; the Sentier du Sud is 1.4 km long and rated moderate. The Haut-marais passes through mudflats and salt marsh and offers opportunities for birdwatching as well as panoramic views over the Haut-marais. Be aware of seasonal hunting and take precautions related to the tides.
The Sentier du Sud climbs briefly through mixed forest, along a gravel path and through fields. Highlights include a maple grove and streams. The trail crosses private land and is seasonally closed during deer hunting season.
In the Réserve naturelle Jean-Paul-Riopelle, the trail is 3 km long, takes about 60 minutes and is rated easy; it includes a staircase. The reserve also features a three-hundred-year-old maple grove, viewpoints and a beach. An educational circuit with twelve stations is available in the Ondago app. If you want to estimate how long your outing will take on foot, the approximate walking time is listed alongside the length for this trail.
Cycling Around the Island
The cycling loop on ÃŽle-aux-Grues includes about 8.7 km of paved roads and 10 km of unpaved paths between rural landscapes and the riverbank. The change in surface is a practical difference to consider when planning a route on foot. Traditional and electric bicycles are available to rent; there is a self-service repair station at the wharf.
Island Production and History
All the milk from the three dairy farms currently operating on ÃŽle-aux-Grues is processed locally by Fromagerie de l'Isle-aux-Grues. This keeps the value generated local and circular. Local processing is part of the island's food production.
The museum on ÃŽle-aux-Grues tells the story of the island, the archipelago and its residents, from the past to the present. Topics include the ice canoes, once the only link to the mainland, and the history of the MacPherson LeMoine manor. The museum also features rotating and permanent exhibitions by local and regional artists, as well as a retrospective on the life of the late painter Jean-Paul Riopelle, who lived on the island.
Plan Your Visit
The ferry service to ÃŽle-aux-Grues operates seasonally from April to December. The NM Grue-des-ÃŽles schedule depends on the tides: at low tide, the natural harbor at the Montmagny wharf is completely dry, and access is not possible at certain times of day. Check the current tide-dependent schedule before departure. A flight crosses the archipelago in less than five minutes and lands on ÃŽle-aux-Grues; check availability and fares before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Just-de-Bretenières, St-Pierre-De-La-Riviere-Du-Sud, Saint-Paul-De-Montminy, Berthier-Sur-Mer, Cap-Saint-Ignace.
Go to the main travel overview: Montmagny.
