The fall colours in Quebec are MAGIC. Growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, I’ve always been accustomed to experiencing all four seasons. But while fall in the prairies is lovely, it is nothing like the explosion of colour in Quebec. The bright red maple trees that explode across the rolling hills north of Montreal are truly as sight everyone deserves to see once in their life. Today I’m sharing exactly when and where to travel in Quebec to see the best fall foliage.
A Pretty Little Guide to Seeing Fall Foliage in Quebec
Where is the best place to see fall leaves in Quebec
Having traveled all across North America and Europe during the fall season I can unequivocally say that Quebec offered the best show of fall foliage I have seen in any country or province. During our trip to Quebec, we took Autoroute 15 North from Montreal to Mont Tremblant and the views along the drive were incredible. The highway winds through rolling hills that cascade with shades of yellow, orange and red. I kept pulling out my camera thinking the views couldn’t possible get any better, and then time and time again they did.
Mont Tremblant and the surrounding areas are one of the best places to experience fall in Quebec. The photo above was taken from the viewpoint of Cap aux Bluets – an easy 2km hike with spectacular fall views. We hiked to the top during the late morning, but because of the angle of the sun my camera struggled to capture the fall colours in their full glory. If you are planning to attempt the same hike, I would recommend early morning or later in the day so the sun’s haze doesn’t obstruct your view.
When is the best time to see fall leaves in Quebec?
We planned our 2021 trip to Mont Tremblant for the first week in October and we arrived just in time to see the peak of the fall leaves. Generally the end of September until the beginning of October offers the best fall show in Montreal and the surrounding area. One resource to check out if attempting to plan your trip during the peak fall show is the fall foliage map by Bonjour Quebec. During autumn, the map is kept updated showing where leaves are starting to change colour and what areas are reaching their peak.
Where should you go to see fall leaves in Montreal?
While traveling outside of Montreal will certainly give you the best fall experience, it is possible to find pockets of fall magic within the city limits. I highly recommend taking a hike to the Belvedere Lookout at Mont Royal. Not only do you get to walk under the colourful canopy of leaves on your way to the top, but the lookout point offers a stunning view of the city framed by cascading fall leaves. Vieux-Port de Montreal is another spot great for enjoying the autumn foliage with le Grand Roue offering a birds eye view of the changing fall colours along the river.
How long do fall colours last in Quebec?
How long the fall colours last in Quebec varies each year depending on the weather. However, most years the leaves retain their autumn shade for two to three weeks with only a few days of peak colour before they drop. The good news is, if you have some flexibility in your travels you can head either further north or south to try and catch them at their peak. This is because the further north you drive, the sooner the leaves change colour. Meanwhile the further south you drive the later the peak colour date will be.
I hope this guide helps you to plan your own trip to Quebec. The fall colours are truly worth the trip!
