"Maritime Quebec...Pretty Close to the EDGE..." Top 5 Page for this destination Gaspé by Greggor58

Exploring “Le Gaspesie” as its known throughout Quebec is an opportunity to witness some pretty rugged and natural landscapes and enjoy a taste of maritime Quebec.

If you might be an outdoor enthusiast I think you need to sometime visit the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec if you ever have the chance.

In 2009 the “ National Geographic Traveler” included the Gaspe Peninsula in its list of 50 places on the planet that “cannot be missed”. Hiking, sailing, kayaking, fishing, camping, wild life viewing and cycling are some of the activities that can keep you busy, all the time surrounded by some distinctive and amazing scenery.

The Gaspe Peninsula protrudes into the Gulf of St. Lawrence at the western edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the north shore of the peninsula is situated along the St Lawrence River, the original gateway to Canada and the Great Lakes of North America.

It was along the St. Lawrence River that the first European visitors to the New World gained access to the unexplored and mostly untouched lands of what we know today as Canada and parts of the United States, because of this geographic location in North America the region has at one time or other been significant in the history of Canada and to some extent the USA.

In 1760 the last naval battle between the French and the British during the “conquest” of Quebec was fought along the south shore of the peninsula at the Battle of the Restigouche. This victory by the British here was in fact the cutting knife to the final resistance of the French to hold onto its foothold colony in the Americas.

During the American War of Independence American “Privateers” conducted several raids against small fishing settlements along the south coast of the peninsula, the most notable being against the larger community of Percé.

Actions during the Second World War were played out close by to the coast of the Gaspe, the Village of Gaspe itself hosted a small convoy escort base, ships were torpedoed in the St Lawrence River, and German spies were even put ashore here, one in particular in New Carlisle along the Bay de Chaleur.

La Martre Lighthouse,Gaspe,Quebec,Canada.

Today still it’s a land that is largely undeveloped and is in fact mostly a wilderness area.

Along the coastline of the peninsula you’ll find dotted along the perimeter highway an assortment of villages and towns that will provide you with modern conveniences and accommodation.
Many of these small towns act as hosts for a variety of important lighthouses and for certain even the smallest hamlet will posses its own quaint and charming Church.

Lands End,Forillon National Park,Gaspe,Canada.

The two main destinations that Ill always take time to explore are the L’isle de Bonaventure (Bonaventure Island) and of course one of the most important of the National Parks in eastern Canada, Forillon, which is squeezed onto the tip of the peninsula, a geographic area known as “Lands End”.
Bonaventure Island is the home of a Northern Gannet colony that is unique to this region. Getting yourself to the island and the colony is a pretty fun adventure in itself and involves a short boat ride.

Forillon National Park is another MUST stop and SPEND TIME location where you can see whales simply by walking sea side hiking trails and colonies of other sea birds like the Razorbill, the Common Murre or the Black Guillemot. If you’re lucky you’ll even have opportunities to see Black Bear, Moose or Deer, the park is a natural habitat for these animals and seeing them is always a possibility.
The scenery and hiking possibilities that Forillon provide could keep you busy for days if you have an interest in seeing undeveloped country and are able to make the effort.

Like many that visit the Gaspe Peninsula we circumnavigated by vehicle using the main Highway Route 132 and spent most of our time using Forillon as “home base” to explore the immediate area.

We visited communities such as Riviere de Renard, Gaspe, Perce, Bonaventure, and New Carlisle.
We hiked in Forillon National Park; we photographed sea birds, investigated a few museums, checked out some pretty neat lighthouses and churches, and stopped to explore a couple of National Historic Sites.

I wouldn’t hesitate to return to Le Gaspesie, it really is an outdoor lovers Paradise, beautiful scenery is unrelenting and the pace of life here is pretty calming.

• Pros:Lots of wild and rugged scenery..
• Cons:Transport HAS to be by vechcle of some type,its such a large territory to explore.