Alma

Day Trips

Arrive in Alma and settle into your riverside accommodation. Drop off luggage, gather local maps, and admire the view of the Saguenay River from your window. Stop by a nearby café for a freshly brewed cup of coffee before heading out to explore the village.

Wander the colorful main street to discover artisanal boutiques, galleries, and creperies filled with local delicacies. Pop into the Municipal Heritage Centre to learn about Alma's industrial and shipping history. Enjoy a light lunch of poutine râpée and local cheese at a cozy bistro overlooking the water.

Return to your lodging to refresh before dinner at a warmly lit restaurant serving farm-to-table Quebecois cuisine. Savor dishes like smoked trout and wild berry tart while listening to live acoustic music. End the night with a leisurely stroll along the riverbank under the stars.

Start your day with a hearty Quebecois breakfast at a bustling local bakery, sampling fresh pastries and maple syrup treats. Chat with friendly shopkeepers as you pick up artisanal bread and cheese for a mid-morning picnic. Use this time to plan your afternoon adventure along the Alma River.

Grab a rented kayak and paddle down the gentle current of the Saguenay, absorbing the majestic cliffs that line the fjord. Pause on an isolated riverside beach for a snack and photo op with the towering granite walls in the background. Continue downstream to a hidden cove before returning to the rental base.

Freshen up at your accommodation before heading to a local microbrewery offering craft beers brewed with local ingredients. Pair your beverage with a charcuterie board featuring regional meats and cheeses. End the evening at the riverside promenade, enjoying the sunset hues reflected off the water.

Wake up early for a guided sea kayak tour that launches from Alma's marina. Glide across tranquil waters while taking in panoramic views of forested cliffs and wildlife along the fjord shores. Learn paddling techniques from experienced guides as the morning sunlight dances on the water.

Land on a secluded beach for a lakeside lunch prepared by your guides, featuring local smoked salmon and fresh seasonal salads. Stand-up paddleboard or snorkel in the crystalline shallows to observe trout and minnows gliding beneath the surface. Return to your kayak for a gentle journey back, spotting eagles perched high on rocky outcrops.

Enjoy a relaxed dinner at a nearby bistro known for its seafood specialties, celebrating the day's adventures. Toast to your kayaking success with a glass of Quebec Riesling as night falls. Take a moonlit stroll along the marina, listening to the water lapping against the docks.

Fuel up with a breakfast of warm crepes and maple-infused coffee before heading to the park entrance. Meet a park naturalist for a guided hike along the iconic Acropole-des-Draveurs trail, renowned for its steep ascent and rewarding views. Ascend granite cliffs for bird's-eye panoramas of the Saguenay Fjord carved into the landscape.

Pause at scenic lookout points to capture photographs of the fjord's deep blue waters contrasted by lush evergreen forests. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a rocky ledge, tasting local cured meats and artisanal cheese while overlooking the fjord. Continue along the ridgeline trail to discover hidden waterfalls and unique flora.

Return to Alma to soothe tired muscles with a poutine dinner at a cozy pub frequented by locals. Sample a craft beer brewed with local spruce tips to settle nerves after the day's exertion. Relax back at your lodging, planning tomorrow's maritime exploration.

Depart early for a scenic drive to Tadoussac, nestled at the confluence of the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence rivers. Board a comfortable Zodiac boat for a marine mammal expedition led by knowledgeable naturalists. Scan the horizon for minke, humpback, and blue whales as they breach and spout in their natural habitat.

Enjoy a seaside lunch of freshly caught seafood chowder at a waterfront bistro in the historic village. Explore the Fjord du Saguenay Maritime Museum to learn about the region's seafaring heritage and marine ecosystems. Take a coastal walk along the Literary Forest trail, discovering interpretive sculptures inspired by Quebecois writers.

Head back to Alma under the rosy hues of sunset, savoring roadside stops for photographs of the river's meandering bays. Treat yourself to a dinner of pike-perch and local vegetables at a refined farm-to-table restaurant. Wind down with a cup of hot chocolate or a spiced cider by the fireplace at your inn.

Peddle off after an energizing breakfast of blueberry pancakes made with fruit from local fields. Follow the Véloroute des Bleuets route, meandering through pastoral landscapes dotted with cranberry and blueberry farms. Stop at roadside kiosks to sample freshly picked berries and homemade jam.

Continue cycling past tranquil lakes and marshes, keeping an eye out for moose and waterfowl along the way. Pause for a lakeside picnic lunch featuring local goat cheese and artisanal bread, enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature. Visit a farm cooperative to learn about berry cultivation and pick your own blueberries straight from the bush.

Return to Alma as the sun dips low, dust off your bike, and freshen up for dinner. Dine at a terrace restaurant specializing in grilled sausages and local produce, washed down with regional cider. End the day with a starlit walk to a nearby lookout for final vistas of the Saguenay River.

Drive to l'Anse-Saint-Jean, a quaint village known for its colorful boathouses and artisanal workshops. Begin with a guided tour of the Épopée de la Sagouine open-air museum, stepping into a living tribute to the Acadian storyteller La Sagouine. Sample traditional fare like tourtière and stuffed tournesol while enjoying folk music performances.

Stroll through the village's boutique art galleries showcasing paintings, ceramics, and woven textiles by local artists. Visit a woodworker's studio to witness the crafting of handmade furniture and decorative items from Quebec maple. Enjoy a dégelée dessert made from local berries at a cozy café by the river.

Return to Alma for a riverside sunset dinner featuring venison stew and root vegetables. Sip on a glass of crisp Montérégie appellation wine as live folk tunes play softly in the background. Head back to your lodge for a restful evening in front of a crackling fireplace.

Set out to explore the agricultural heartland around Alma, beginning with a tour of a free-range dairy farm. Meet the farmers, learn about sustainable practices, and pet the friendly dairy cows roaming the fields. Sample creamy farmstead cheese and fresh yogurt in the farm's tasting room.

Head to a neighboring artisanal goat cheese operation for a guided cheese-making demonstration. Roll up your sleeves, participate in curd stirring, and shape your own chèvre to take home. Enjoy a charcuterie-style lunch pairing various cheeses with local honey and homemade bread.

Return to Alma to dine at a locally acclaimed bistro that sources produce directly from nearby farms. Indulge in a cheese-centric tasting menu culminating with a plate of aged cheddar, blue cheese, and fruit compote. Conclude the evening with a nightcap at a sidewalk café, savoring a regional ice cider.

After several active days, treat yourself to a morning dedicated to holistic wellness at a spa nordique near Alma. Begin with alternating hot and cold treatments, moving from steaming saunas to crisp plunge pools. Experience a rooftop cold fountain for invigorating relief before your massage session.

Enjoy a light lunch at the spa's bistro, featuring organic salads and herbal infusions designed to complement your detoxification. Continue unwinding with a guided meditation session overlooking the Saguenay River. Opt for a body wrap or aromatherapy treatment to soothe any lingering tension.

Head back to your accommodation feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Dress casually for dinner at a riverside tavern known for its hearty Quebecois stews and local craft beers. Cap off the evening with a gentle riverbank stroll, listening to the soft flow of water.

Pack up and enjoy one last local breakfast of cinnamon buns and Quebec-style coffee at your favorite café. Set out on a self-guided photo tour along the riverbank, capturing the morning mist rising from the Saguenay. Visit the Alma Wharf for shots of fishing boats and mountains in the distance.

Stop by a local market to pick up souvenirs like maple syrup, hand-knit scarves, and artisanal chocolates. Drop in at the regional museum for a final glimpse into the area's history and cultural heritage. Relish a farewell lunch of smoked meat sandwich and coleslaw at a friendly diner.

Depart Alma with fond memories and a camera full of spectacular images. If time allows, pause at a scenic overlook for one last panorama of the fjord at sunset. Bid farewell to the Saguenay region as you head to your next destination or return home, carrying a piece of Alma in your heart.