The Acropole des Draveurs is a famous hiking trail in the Montagne des Érables (The Maple Mountain). The mountain is located in the Charlevoix region of Quebec. More specifically, it is situated in Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie national park.
The hike is considered to be difficult, as most of the trail goes uphill and it can get very steep at some sections. It is well marked and maintained, however, you have to be careful on the way down. Hiking poles are recommended.
Since it is a steep uphill trail, the hike takes a longer time than usual. On the other hand, the environmental diversity and the view at the top makes it worth the effort.
The best times to hike this mountain are from June through October, especially during the fall season. The amount of colorful trees can be breathtaking.
To reach the trailhead, you have to leave your vehicle in the parking lot and take the bus. It is not recommended to walk on the main route.
The full trail consists of a 11.2 Km Hike to the Last Summit and there are Three Summits. The second and third are optional as the first is right where the trail ends. And in our opinion, the first one is the best in terms of view and relaxation.
Characteristics of the Three Summits:
- First Summit: 10.5 km
- Second Summit: 11 km
- Third Summit: 11.2 km
We chose to hike all the way to the third summit since we wanted the complete version of the trail.
It is worth mentioning that the trail can get really crowded, especially on the top. So it is recommended to start your hike really early, to be able to spend a longer time surrounded by the large landscape.
Hike Stats for L'Acropole des Draveurs trail
Distance: 11.2 km / 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 850 meters
Difficulty: Difficult
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Toilets: At the entrance or in the middle
Duration: 4 to 6 Hrs
📍 How to get to the Trailhead
The trailhead can be easily found near the Welcome Cabin. You can use the map below to either find the parking lot, or check your waypoints.
🎫 Hiking Pass
You will need a hiking pass that you can buy at the Welcome Cabin near the parking lot. The pass costs around 9$ per Adult and it is free of charge for children.
🛌 Where to sleep nearby
🥪 Where to eat nearby
🥾 Other hikes near the Acropole des Draveurs
2 Comments
I went there once with my wife when we were on a trip to see my son in Quebec: the view is stunning! Water is essential when you go on these kind of hikes, we didn’t bring enough! Luckily we encountered some lovely Quebeckers who shared some of their water with us!
Lovely blog Mr. Ekadventure! I showed it to my grandson and he said he already knew you from tik tok!
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment! Indeed, water is crucial as you can get dehydrated really fast, especially during Quebec’s Summer! I’m glad you were able to encounter such nice people on your way!
I’m also really happy to have been able to inspire your grandson! 😀