Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac

Park located between the east bank of the Saint-Maurice river and the Ducharme road (route 155), that is to say north of the village of Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac.

Rental service for water sports equipment.

From the intersection of routes 153 and 159, west of the village of Saint-Tite, take Chemin du Haut du Lac Sud (north-west). Visitors then walk along the meandering part of the Rivière des Envies, that is to say the old Kapibouska lake which flooded this area because of beaver dams, until the end of the 19th century. Visitors can make a stop (by appointment at +1 418-365-6728) at the "Musée Souvenirs d'autrefois" (museum memories of yesteryear), 240, route 159 (Haut du Lac Sud), Saint-Tite. Then the road spans the Mékinac du Sud River (starting at Tavibois, Hérouxville), then the Mékinac du Nord river. After the agricultural zone, the resort has developed along the Mékinac du Nord river which originates at Lake Roberge, in the municipality of Grandes-Piles. On Chemin Petite Mékinac, visitors then walk along the magnificent Lac Roberge, whose mountains opposite reach 417 m. This lake receives the Castor river (coming from Saint-Thècle) and the discharge of the second Roberge lake. The mountainous and forest scenery of this wild and encaved valley is splendid, particularly in the season of colorful trees. Visitors then cross the intersection of Chemin du lac Fontaine (resort lake); this road joins Chemin Joseph St-Amand in Sainte-Thècle and Lac du Jésuite (resort lake). Opposite this intersection, it is the start of Chemin du lac des îles and very close to Chemin du Lac Clair. The national trail arrives in this area at Route 159. Continuing on Route 159, visitors enter Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac and follow Second Lac Roberge and Lac Méduse. Finally, visitors arrive at the village of Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac (after a drive of 19 km) which was rebuilt on the promontory after the construction of the Grand-Mère dam which flooded the site of the old village. Visitors can return via Grandes-Piles and admire the panorama of the valley of the Saint-Maurice river.

From the village of Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac, take route 155 (southbound), to appreciate the valley of the Saint-Maurice river, forming a large body of water between the mountains. Seen from Route 155, the mountainsides have a grandiose character. From Ricard Bay (south of the village), the Precambrian mountains covered with boreal forests rival the mountainous terrain of La Mauricie National Park, located on the other side of the Saint-Maurice River. Visitors observe a marsh area, between Trou à Barbotte and Trou aux Épinettes, on the banks of the Saint-Maurice River. The roadside rest area serving the hikers of the pedestrian paths deserves to make a picnic there; and to venture out on the trails. The mountain cliff becomes more and more grandiose as it approaches Abraham Creek which empties at Pointe à la Mine. Visitors can see opposite on the other shore, the village of Saint-Jean-des-Piles (merged with Shawinigan). Finally, visitors arrive at the recreational tourism village of Grandes-Piles (after a drive of 16 km) where recreational boating is highly developed.

Since 1934, this canoe classic has gained international fame. This classic includes a series of sporting (over 200 km, in three stages between La Tuque and Trois-Rivières) and cultural events. About 70,000 visitors attend all stages of the canoe race and events.

Municipal library.