Girlfriend Getaway to Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Québec

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Are they even gateways if there are no pictures to remember them by?
Girl’s trip to Saguenay, Quebec Canada. Photo credit: Nancy Donnelly

Discovering new places with your girlfriends isn’t just about fun—it’s essential, as Jane Fonda aptly puts it, citing her friends as her lifeline. Recently, I met up with my friend in her hometown of Saguenay, Canada, to explore some places and things to do near the Fjord that were new to her. too — like staying in a converted silo, rejuvenating at a Nordic spa and e-biking.

I return to the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Québec because it never disappoints. Each time I have visited, I find a new outdoor activity to enjoy and it provides a true French experience without a transatlantic flight. Don’t worry about speaking French—while it’s charming to try, English is widely understood, and locals are accommodating to visitors attempting their language.

I also feel very safe there, which ranks high on my list of travel priorities. During my visits, I have always found everyone to be friendly and helpful, whether I spoke bad French or English.

I like to spend 2-3 nights in Quebec City and then journey on to Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (scroll down for itinerary ideas).   Within a 2-hour scenic drive from the city, I have access to an abundance of outdoor adventures around the two main highlights of the region:  

  1. The Saguenay Fjord, one of the longest fjords in the world.
  2. Lac Saint-Jean, a huge freshwater inland sea.  

      In between the two is Saguenay, the main city in the region. And connecting the two is Riviere Saguenay.  It is an outdoor wonderland, perfect for hiking, kayaking, biking, and fishing enthusiasts. In winter, activities shift to embrace the frozen lake, fjord and snowy landscapes.

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      Rent an electric bike when you are in Saguenay for the gateway.
      Velo du Fjord E-bike Rental, Saguenay, Canada. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

      We started our girls’ trip with an e-bike tour with Velo Fjord in L’Anse-Saint-Jean, a picturesque village, known for a famous floating covered bridge, Pont couvert du Faubourg. Velo’s co-owner Valentyna [Valya] guided us along the Saint-James Salmon River.  Her experience as a former spokesperson for the marine park, champion for the beluga whales and local artist, made the bike tour interesting as she pointed out sites and fun facts along the way.

      Pass through the Saguenay’s famous bridge, Pont Couvert du Faubourg during the gateway with the girls.
      Saguenay’s famous floating bridge, Pont Couvert du Faubourg. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

      For instance, the Pont Couvert du Faubourg has been knocked off its pillars more than once by spring ice jams, floated away and had to be put back into place. The $1,000 view that was once on Canada’s thousand dollar bill, farms where 9 generations still live and where to get the best venison “chausson” (hand pie) and ice cream in town.  

      We spent another day hiking in the Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay, a provincial park, to take in the panoramic views of the Fjord, followed by shopping in downtown Saguenay. We stopped at Herboreal, a tea and herbal compounding shop owned by trained herbalist and Quebec native, Melanie Sheehy. She respectfully harvests ingredients from the boreal forest and creates teas, body products and spices that promote health and wellness.

      When it comes to dining, we indulged in the freshest local fare. The region is famous for its wild blueberries. At La Chasse-Pinte Bistro, a charming microbrewery and brasserie in L’Anse-Saint-Jean, known for its fresh menu and creative beer selection (Cranberry Hare Skin, Bee Loot, Snow Plow and Past Participle.) I ordered the delicious salmon tartare followed by the cheesy pie topped with fresh blueberries.

      We felt like locals when we saw Valya, our bike tour leader, again that night at an event at the local brewery, La Chasse Pinte and Gallery, where her art is on display.

      Amazing views from Auberge du Cap au Leste, Saguenay, Canada.
      River view from Auberge du Cap au Leste, Saguenay, Canada. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

      Where to Stay in Saguenay

      I recommend staying in places that incorporate Saguenay’s outdoor beauty. On this trip I stayed at Auberge du Cap au Leste, a cliff-side forest lodge that overlooks the Saguenay Fjord. All of the log cabins were recently refurbished with new bedding and large porches with Adirondack chairs.  Our cabin had plenty of closet space, a large bathroom and a gorgeous deck overlooking the fjord.  

      Book a double Room at Auberge du Cap au Leste for your girls gateway in Saguenay.
      Double Room at Auberge du Cap au Leste. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

      There is a plethora of Fjord activities within 20 minutes of Cap au Leste: extended hikes, ziplining, sea-kayaking, whale watching and fjord cruises.  Ice fishing in winter is epic – it’s deep sea fishing but in a fjord. And for backcountry skiing (apply seal skins to the back of skis, walk up the mountain, slide down and repeat), this is the place to be.

      Enjoy fresh Fish at Auberge du Cap au Leste in Saguenay.
      Fresh Fish at Auberge du Cap au Leste. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

      Several Cap au Leste cabins offer a shared living room surrounded by private rooms while others, like ours, have multiple private rooms in one huge cabin.  The main lodge has a terrific restaurant where we dined on fresh fish, local vegetables and hearty soup while overlooking the Fjord.

      The Champ Libre Hebergement, converted silos in Saguenay, Canada.
      Champ Libre Hebergement, converted silos in Saguenay, Canada. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

      The highlight for me on this trip was staying at Champ Libre Hebergement, a converted silo, customized into a lovely cozy retreat in the woods, near Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay.  The setting is serene and the silo is comfortably furnished with 2 delicious queen beds, an equipped kitchen, firepit and hot tub.  

      There are 3 silos that sleep 5 people each – a great spot for a large group to share an experience but have privacy as well.  

      The Champ Libre Hebergement silo interior, Saguenay, Canada.
      Champ Libre Hebergement silo interior, Saguenay, Canada. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

      Suggested Saguenay Itinerary – Fjord Focus

      Day 1 & 2: Stay at Auberge Cap au Leste, Fjord cruise with Les Navettes Maritimes, ziplining and canopy adventures at Parc aventure Cap Jaseux, tea shopping at the Herboreal tea shop and other artist workshops in Saguenay.

      Day 3 & 4: Stay in a silo at Champ Libre Hebergement.  Explore L’Anse-Saint-Jean on an E-bike tour with Velo Fjord. Hike or kayak at Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay.  Visit  Édouard-les-bains for an afternoon Nordic spa experience. Dinner at La Chasse-Pinte Bistro.

      Winter Itinerary:

      Day 1 & 2: Stay at Auberge Cap au Leste. Enjoy a dog-sledding excursion through the boreal forest, go downhill or back-country skiing in the Mont-Valin mountains, discover the unique experience of ice-fishing on the Saguenay Fjord, relax by the wood fire after a soothing sauna and massage.

      Day 3 & 4: Stay in a silo at Champ Libre Hebergement.  Explore the vast network of local snowmobile trails along the Fjord, enjoy a snowshoe outing on the summit of Mont-Édouard, challenge your snowboarding or back-country skiing skills in the deep powdered snow, relax in your private sauna with a glass of the local wine or gin.

      Suggested Lac Saint-Jean Itinerary – Lake Focus

      Day 1 & 2 Stay at Auberge des Iles, cycle on the Véloroute des Bleuets (Blueberry Trail), visit the Parc national de la Pointe Taillon to relax or play on the 9-mile sandy beach, visit the Jardin Scullion gardens, visit the local vineyards and wild blueberry farms

      Day 3 & 4 Village historique de Val Jalbert, overnight in the early 1900s historical village, cable car to the top of the Ouiatchouan Falls, visit the internationally recognized Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien where boreal animals roam ‘free’ and visitors are ‘caged’, hike through the hills of the Parc de la Couronne, sample some of the local beers from the microbreweries.

      Winter Itinerary

      Day 1 & 2 Auberge des Iles, try fat biking on the trails that meaner over the vast expanse of the frozen lake, discover the joys of a guided snowmobile outing with Equinox Aventure, sample some of the many cheeses from the local cheesemakers, enjoy a leisurely few hours by the huge indoor pool with a view on the lake.

      Day 3 & 4 Village historique de Val Jalbert, overnight in the very well-appointed turn-of-the-century luxury rooms, cross-country ski through the historical village, enjoy fine-dining at the village’s restaurant, visit the internationally recognized Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien where boreal animals romp freely and happily in their snowy habitats, visit the ‘Village sur glace de Roberval’ to skate on Lake Saint-Jean and see the colorfully decorated mini-houses that surround the huge skating oval.

      SheBuysTravel Tips for Winter

      The winter itineraries can be easily combined with a weekend at the Quebec Winter Carnival. The winters in the Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean region are very snowy and, because it is a dry cold, it is easy to dress in layers to enjoy the crisp winter weather no matter what you do!  Southern Quebec tends to be more humid.

      All rental cars in Quebec are supplied with winter tires (it is the law) and the roads in the region are kept very well cleared.  You can even rent winter clothing for your stay through Locapaq in Quebec City.  Snowmobiling equipment (helmet, jacket, snow pants and boots) is supplied by the local outfitters as part of the rental package.

      There are direct flights from Montreal (YUL) to the Saguenay Airport (YBG) daily with Air Canada.  Rental cars are available at the airport.

      Kim Orlando, founder of SheBuysTravel, is a lifelong traveler, an entrepreneur and a sought-after social media and marketing consultant. She has made hundreds of appearances on TV and in digital and print media, sharing advice and tips built on decades of travel experiences. Hailing from the hills of Kentucky and taking her story to New York, Los Angeles, and beyond, Kim built an online platform, the original TravelingMom, that has reached millions of moms and empowered them to explore the world with their families. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel. Kim has been featured on “News Nation,” “Today,” “Good Morning America” and on numerous satellite media tours. She has contributed travel guidance to outlets including The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal and more. (Read more about Kim’s media appearances here) Her travel mantra is simple: All travel counts. “You don’t have to go far. Leaving your home is travel,” Kim says. “Wherever you go, even just to the next town over, you can learn something new, see someone and something you haven’t seen before. “It’s good for the brain and good for the soul.” An epiphany in early parenthood started Kim on the journey that led to SheBuysTravel. She’d been a fan of a newsletter for women travelers, and she saw an opportunity. “I thought something like that for moms could be extraordinarily helpful,” she said. “I was traveling for work, traveling for fun, and I was looking for support.” That seed grew into the award-winning website TravelingMom, created as a resource for traveling families of all stripes. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel, with an expanded mission to serve women travelers at any stage of life. Millions of readers have visited the site for trip planning help, travel secrets, destination information and gear recommendations. What sets SheBuysTravel’s content apart, Kim says, is its foundation in real-world experience. “Our writers and editors have actually gone out there and done this stuff,” she says. “They’ve booked the flights, tried the tour, tested travel clothing, visited that new hot spot to see if it’s worth the hype. It’s all real.” Memorable Adventures A 2022 tour Kim guided to Bhutan was a particularly standout experience. “Bhutan sounds so exotic, of course,” she said. “But the part where my heart just glows and warms is thinking of the people we met – amazing women doing amazing things in Bhutan.” Their ranks included a former police officer whose ventures into food science helped mitigate food insecurity for residents of Bhutan’s highlands. Top Tips Planning for travel can be daunting, Kim acknowledges. “I always say: Go anyway. No trip is going to be perfect. There’s always going to be something you didn’t expect, something that doesn’t go the way you pictured or planned it. And that something is what’s going to make it a great trip.” And on a practical note: “Go early! Getting to the airport or hitting the road just an hour earlier relieves so much stress.” Kim’s Background Kim, a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, holds degrees in finance and entrepreneurship and has deep experience in developing and running businesses. Her previous work includes developing and running communications workshops and overseeing document management for corporations. SheBuysTravel hits a sweet spot where Kim’s two loves of travel and entrepreneurship meet. “The longer I work in this field, I only want to do more,” she says. “I find the travel world so exciting – not just the trips, but the whole online world of travel. There are still so many opportunities.” The World Awaits “The ‘best trip ever’ probably won’t be the same for an empty-nester or mom of three versus a single woman celebrating a bachelorette party with her friends,” Kim says. “We want to keep it real for traveling women, no matter what their age, life stage, where they came from or where they’re going. “We want to inspire women to travel in any shape or form.” In her free time, Kim enjoys visiting her adult kids, creating trips and traveling with her BFFs to explore the world. Her most recent adventures can be found on InstagramFacebook and LinkedIn.
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