Great Escapes Fall 2021 | Page 7

But it ’ s not just the trails and

scenery that make visiting the Gaspé

really special . History was made here .

Visit the site where French explorer

Jacques Cartier landed on the eastern

end of the peninsula in 1534 , or check

out the site of one of the greatest

maritime disasters ever – the 1914

sinking of the Empress of Ireland ,

from which more than 1,000 people

drowned .

Of course , the great dining and

enticing lodging that characterize

Quebec make visiting Gaspé very

comfortable . If you are looking for a

truly unforgettable vacation experience

, the loop around the Gaspé will

provide memories that will last a

Photo courtesy Bonvoyage Snow Adventures

lifetime .

mountains , all from the seat of your sled . Trail 595 down through the peninsula ’ s

Tourist Association of Gaspe : tourisme-gaspesie . com

Photo courtesy Bonvoyage Snow Adventures

There is simply nowhere to ride like the Gaspé Peninsula , a semi-island jutting out into

interior can be a religious experience for a serious snowmobiler . This 125-mile boon-

Photo courtesy Bonvoyage Snow Adventures

the Atlantic Ocean on the south shore of the

docking delight takes you through a micro-

mighty St . Lawrence River . You can be rid-

clime that is home to the only reindeer herd

ing at sea level , then an hour later be snow-

south of the 53rd parallel . There ’ s only one

mobiling up high in rugged mountains that

outpost of civilization on this run , the relais

soar to 4,000-feet above the waterline .

roughly halfway across . On the southeast-

The scenery is awesome either way . There

ern corner of the peninsula , Roche Perce

are actually many locations in the Gaspé

( Perce Rock ) is one of the most recogniz-

where you can look one way and see an

able natural attractions in Canada . And

ocean-going freighter , then turn your head

throughout it all , the truly superior trails

the other way to view beautiful snow-capped

of Quebec provide outstanding riding .