Drive to the Gaspe’ Peninsula, the location of the Forillon National Park. The Gaspe’ region is that eastern tip of the province of Quebec that juts way out into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The town of Gaspe’, which is located near the park, is a two-day journey from Boston and maybe a day and a half from Quebec City.
Find a place to stay. There are campgrounds and motels all around the park and a terrific hostel in the town of Cap-aux-Os that welcomes visitors of all ages. (Cap-aux-Os, roughly translated into English, means “beach of the whale bones.")
Check out the rocky beaches on both shores. The park borders two bodies of water, The Bay of Gaspe’ and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The shoreline varies widely and is always fascinating to walk along. The highlight of the park is the beach and cove at Cap Bon Ami. Here you will find a spectacular view of the low range of mountains that form the backbone of the Gaspe’ peninsula. Sometimes (usually in the fall), whales come right into these waters and cruise for food, less than 100 feet away from the shore.
Hike the mountain ridge. There are a few short trails with a view of the Gaspe’ that will stay with you forever. From the top you can see a good deal of the peninsula as it vanishes into the vast sea. From this precious viewpoint, it will be easy to understand the Native American derivation of the word Gaspe’, which simply means “Land’s End."
Visit the park museum. It houses a fascinating display of the history of the region, which was important in the early exploration of North America.
Rent a bicycle and visit a lighthouse. There is one inside the park at the tip of the peninsula, and another just north of the park at the town of Cap-des-Rosiers.
Practice your French. Most people here prefer to speak French, but contrary to popular belief, many understand English, especially those who work in the travel industry.Still, learning just a few introductory phrases will go a long way toward a better journey.
