A trail, a forest, a legacy...

The Forêt marine / La Seigneurie Trail offers a unique and majestic perspective of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive to hikers who can use it for ''free'' in any season. The trail offers a unique window on the river and Isle-aux-Coudres. It rivals the most beautiful trails of Charlevoix! In 2021, nearly 20,000 hikers walked it!

Along the river Boudreault, which flows in some places in a deep gorge, the 4 km trail is characterized by steep slopes. Its diversity of environments and amenities caters to walkers of all ages: arch bridges, multiple lookouts, dam, falls and spectacular views.

Length	4 linear km (8 km round trip)
Altitude difference	310 meters
Features	Four season accessible trail Blue and white signage Museum parking lot Start: in front of the Museum, next to the Papeterie Saint-Gilles Dogs allowed on leash
Category	Intermediate
Access	Adult: 8 $ Children (under 17 years old): FREE

Duration:2 to 3 hours

Noble species, noble cause

Created for the purpose of perpetuating the technical knowledge and know-how of the methods formerly used for the construction of wooden schooners, the Forêt marine is home to several species of trees including white pine, red pine, spruce maple and yellow birch. The management of the forest also aims at preserving its biodiversity and reintroducing the noble species that were once part of it. This is why it is considered an ideal laboratory for the study of a major forest issue in Quebec: the restoration of the leafy forest, which is often degraded. The Faculty of Forestry and Geomatics of Laval University has used this forest as a laboratory for the training of undergraduate and graduate students and the development of research projects.