In Chapais, a distinctive outdoor route has two seasonal faces: the Piste cyclable runs through the boreal forest; in winter, it is converted into a cross-country ski trail maintained by volunteers. The lakeshore, an annual festival and a historic landmark in town add to the options.

Cycling, cross-country skiing and hiking trails

The Piste cyclable is 11 kilometres long and covered with stone dust. It starts at the western edge of the municipality and connects Chapais with Lac Opémisca. The western edge marks the start of the route, and the lake is its connected destination. The seasonal change is important when planning: in winter, the same trail is used for cross-country skiing, not as a separate second route.

Another option is the Sentiers du Mont Springer, which offer hiking and snowshoeing trails of moderate to high difficulty. This makes it easy to distinguish between the activities: the trail connects Chapais with Lac Opémisca and switches to cross-country skiing in winter; at Mont Springer, hiking and snowshoeing are the focus. The stated difficulty level can help you decide whether these trails suit your planned stay.

At Lac Opémisca and in the town’s history

Two beach options are just a few minutes from Chapais: Plage du lac Opémisca and the municipal beach at Lac Cavan. At Lac Opémisca, the boat launch, ten minutes from Chapais, provides a place to launch boats for fishing or sightseeing trips. A beach visit and a boat launch offer different reasons to head to the water.

The town’s history also has a specific landmark: the former Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes convent, the second school in the town of Chapais, was built in 1958. As a former convent and the town’s second school, the building links local history with education. It adds a historical dimension to the trails and lakeshore destinations, so a stay need not focus solely on outdoor activities.

Festival and regional orientation

The Festival du Doré Baie-James has been held every year since 1999 on the shore of Lac Opémisca in Chapais and welcomes more than 1,000 anglers annually. During the festival, anglers of all ages, families and friends can enjoy a range of activities and free shows open to everyone. The specific program may vary. If the festival is the reason for your trip, check the event dates and program before booking.

For orientation beyond Chapais, Provincial Route 113 is a useful reference point: Chapais is located on this road, which connects Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. Also on Route 113 is the heated Relais du Club motoneige de Chapais, at kilometre 331 and four kilometres from Chapais in the direction of Lebel-sur-Quévillon.

When to visit and how to find a hotel

First decide whether the bike trail, winter activities, lakeshore destinations, festival, or hiking and snowshoeing trails will shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Kangiqsujuaq, Matagami, Baie-James, Chibougamau, Lebel-sur-Quévillon.

For the broader travel overview: Nord-du-Québec.