Mountain safety and awareness
Have you booked a stay at the Uapishka Station? Congratulations! However, the splendour and immensity of the territory do require more thorough preparations to make the most of your stay and leave with a treasure trove of memories!
Our team and our facilities are ready to welcome you, and we think that this information will be useful to help you get good and ready.
Characteristics of the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountain trails
Duration (one way)
Length (one way)
Altitude
Level of difficulty
Point of departure
Loop: 10.5 km
South trail: 3.5 km
North trail: 4.5 km
Road walk: 2.5 km
5 hrs (loop)
475 m
Intermediary
North access: Km 352 of Route 389
South access: Km 349 of Route 389
Mont Harfang (loop)
Magnificent view of the eastern part of the Manicouagan Crater Lake and René-Levasseur Island
It is possible to complete the loop or the return trip:
We recommend that you park at km 352 and walk along the road to begin your hike at km 349.
The South trail is shorter and steep.
The North trail is longer but less steep.
The trail does not provide access to the alpine plateaus of the main mountain range.
Duration (one way)
Length (one way)
Altitude
Level of difficulty
Point of departure
7 km
4 hrs
665 m
Advanced
Km 365 of Route 389
Mont Jauffret (linear)
The trail offers an immersion into the arctic-alpine tundra and taiga plateaus and a view of the former Gagnon mine.
Warning! Past the tree line, the trail is no longer marked. You must not venture further without orientation equipment.
Duration (one way)
Length (one way)
Altitude
Level of difficulty
Point of departure
9,7 km
6 hrs
655 m
Advanced
Km 365 of Route 389
Mont Provencher (linear)
Magnificent view of the eastern part of the Manicouagan Crater Lake and René-Levasseur Island: the perfect trail to cross the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountains.
Warning! Once at the peak, there are no more trails; you must not venture there without orientation equipment.
A one-day round trip along this trail is not recommended.
Duration (one way)
Length (one way)
Altitude
Level of difficulty
Point of departure
5 km
1 hr
N/A
Beginner
Km 336 of Route 389, departure from the Uapishka Station
Innu and scientific interpretive trail
To come in 2022.
Duration (one way)
Length (one way)
Altitude
Level of difficulty
Point of departure
1,8 km
30 min
N/A
Beginner
Uapishka Station
Shoreline trail
Surrounded by a carpet of caribou moss, this trail is accessible to the entire family and is without any doubt the ideal pathway for a first hike.
Duration (one way)
Length (one way)
Altitude
Level of difficulty
Point of departure
44 km +/-
3 to 4 days
N/A
Expert
North access: Km 365 of Route 389
South access: Km 335 of Route 389
Uapishka (Groulx) Mountain crossing
Crossing the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountains is an adventure only for experienced hikers, who are left entirely to their own devices. It is far from an easy and leisurely hike and it’s not a hike to undertake for a first multi-day hiking experience. It may involve major risks for hikers who do not have the necessary skills to undertake it.
You must be familiar with navigation using maps, a compass and a GPS; there are no trails or markers to point the way.
It is IMPORTANT to travel in a group to better respond in case of accidents and to have the knowledge and skills to undertake such a trek.
You must expect to cross rivers and waterlogged peatlands.
Rugged terrain and unpredictable, changing weather make this territory a very hostile environment (ex.: On August 26, 2020, the temperature dropped to -8ºC on snowy plateaus)
Bring food for one to two extra days.
There are no mountain rescue services in the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountain Range nor is there any cellular network. You are completely on your own (orientation, first aid, etc.).
Please be careful! Many rescue operations are required each and every year.
An Emergency shelter is installed at Lac de la Plénitude.
Traversée des Monts Uapishka (Groulx)
**** EVE: SUPPRIMER CE BLOC SVP. ON ME DIT QUE J'EN AI PAS LA PERMISSION (SVP, ME LA DONNER).
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La traversée des Monts Uapishka (Goulx) est une aventure en complète autonomie s’adressant exclusivement à des randonneurs aguerris. Elle n’EST PAS une randonnée facile, de plaisance, ni une aventure à entreprendre pour une première expérience de randonnée sur plusieurs jours. Elle peut comporter un risque important pour un randonneur qui n’a pas les compétences nécessaires pour l’entreprendre;
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Vous devez bien connaître la navigation à l’aide de cartes, d’une boussole et d’un GPS; Il n’y a aucun sentier, aucun balisage;
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Il est IMPORTANT de voyager en groupe pour mieux répondre aux accidents de même que d’avoir les connaissances et les compétences pour entreprendre la traversée;
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Vous devez prévoir la traversée de rivières et des tourbières gorgées d’eau;
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L’environnement hostile, la difficulté du terrain, la météo capricieuse et changeante font de ce territoire un endroit difficile;
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Le 26 août 2020, le mercure affichait -8 sur les plateaux avec de la neige;
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Apportez de la nourriture pour une à deux journées;
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Le massif n’offre aucun service de secours en montagne et il n’y a aucun réseau cellulaire. Vous êtes donc en situation d’autonomie complète (orientation, premiers soins, etc.). Soyez prudent! De nombreuses opérations sauvetage ont lieu chaque année.
Emergency shelter
In addition to providing a heated space to stabilize an injured or a person in hypothermia, this dome is equipped with all the devices needed for a rescue operation (direct communication device with the Station's patrol teams, first aid kit, food, etc.).
The new infrastructure also allows the Station to meet several other peripheral needs, including monitoring for compliance with regulations within the protected area, the deployment of scientific research projects and the installation of environmental data collection tools, including a weather station.
Emergency plan and safety equipment rental
The Station strongly encourages all visitors to the mountain, regardless of their level of physical fitness or experience, to check in to the Station before their departure to report their presence, share their itinerary and rent a portable communication device like a VHF radio or satellite phone.
Route 389
It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Baie-Comeau to the Uapishka Station. Route 389 is beautiful but can sometimes feel long without any cellular signal. There is, however, a Wi-Fi network in certain places (see the list of service points). So it is a good idea to download a podcast or playlist in advance to enjoy during your adventure!
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The road is partially paved; you can travel on it with any type of vehicle.
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During winter, the road is maintained daily, except during the thaw period (April and May).
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You can refuel your vehicle at some locations; however, gasoline is more expensive than in Baie-Comeau.
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Since this is a winding road, some people may suffer from motion sickness symptoms.
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It is important to monitor your position carefully using the kilometre posts. In case of an emergency, it will be easier to identify your position.
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Stay focused and alert. Route 389 is frequently travelled by truckers and workers who are used to taking it. Caution and courtesy are a must!
List of service* points along Route 389
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Km 94 — Relais Manic-Outarde (restaurant, Internet, accommodations)
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Km 211 — Motel Énergie (fuel, restaurant, Internet, accommodations)
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Km 316 — Relais Gabriel (fuel, Internet)
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km 579 — Fermont (all the usual municipality services)
*Before you leave, please check the services offered and opening hours of the service points, as the list may vary.
For information on road conditions: Québec 511
To view the map of Route 389 and see the location of landmarks and service points along the route, click here.
NEWS
KEEP IN MIND
UTILITY
Avalanches
To learn about the best practices to adopt before, during and after a mountain outing, consult this page on the Avalanche Québec website.