7 days The classic Route 132 road trip covering iconic coastal landmarks, Percé Rock, and Forillon sea cliffs
7 Days Along the Scenic Coastal Loop in Gaspé Peninsula
A 7-day counter-clockwise road trip along Route 132 tailored for a couple seeking slow mornings, seaside dining, manageable coastal hikes, and iconic vistas across Sainte-Flavie, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Forillon, Percé, and the Baie-des-Chaleurs.
Who this is for
The classic Route 132 road trip covering iconic coastal landmarks, Percé Rock, and Forillon sea cliffs
Why this itinerary works
The classic Route 132 road trip covering iconic coastal landmarks, Percé Rock, and Forillon sea cliffs
This itinerary hits the sweet spot for a food-loving couple wanting natural wonder without intense backcountry stress. Daily driving windows are strictly bounded to late mornings and early afternoons, ensuring relaxed evenings at regional tables.
At a Glance
The shape of this trip, at a glance.
7
Balanced
$1,940
$277
13
7
Walk & transit
Interactive map
The itinerary
Day 1
GATEWAY TO GASPÉSIE (SAINTE-FLAVIE TO MATANE)
Coastal Entry, Shoreline Sculptures & Matane Shrimp
Centre d'Art Marcel Gagnon & Shoreline Walk
Sainte-Flavie Waterfront, Sainte-Flavie
A gentle, visually striking coastal beginning that lets you step right out onto the St. Lawrence shoreline to view Gagnon's tidal statues emerging from the water without rushing.
Cantine Sainte-Flavie
Sainte-Flavie, Sainte-Flavie
Famous throughout Quebec for its generous Guédille au Crabe (snow crab roll) and Matane shrimp rolls, serving unpretentious local flavor right by the beach.
Scenic Drive to Matane & Phare de Matane
Matane Estuary, Matane
A gentle 50-minute cruise along Route 132 hugging the coastline, arriving at Matane's historic lighthouse overlooking the open maritime estuary.
Microbrasserie La Fabrique
Downtown Matane, Matane
A vibrant downtown microbrewery pairing creative regional pub fare like smoked salmon poutine and duck wings with locally brewed seasonal ales.
Day 2
HAUTE-GASPÉSIE (SAINTE-ANNE-DES-MONTS)
Where Mountains Meet Sea & Chic-Chocs Foothills
Exploramer Marine Discovery Center
Wharf District, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Features touch tanks, museum exhibits on St. Lawrence biodiversity, and educational insights into sustainable maritime species without heavy hiking.
La Broue dans l'Toupet (Microbrasserie Le Malbord)
Downtown Waterfront, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Microbrasserie Le Malbord's warm taproom showcases localized craft beers along with flatbreads, artisanal burgers, and regional cheeses.
Parc National de la Gaspésie (Lac aux Américains Trail)
Parc de la Gaspésie, Mont-Albert Sector
Instead of a punishing 6-hour hike up Mont Albert, this 2.6 km roundtrip trail leads comfortably to an alpine glacial cirque with dramatic towering cliffs.
Restaurant du Gîte du Mont-Albert
Gîte du Mont-Albert, Parc National de la Gaspésie
The premier dining room in the Chic-Choc foothills, featuring polished Quebec terroir cooking, game meats, and fine regional cheeses overlooking Mount Albert.
Day 3
NORTHERN TIP & FORILLON WEST (GRANDE-VALLÉE TO FORILLON)
Dramatic Cliffs, Lighthouses & Maritime Heritage
Coastal Route 132 Scenic Drive to Pointe-à-la-Renommée
L'Anse-à-Valleau, Pointe-à-la-Renommée
This stretch of Route 132 carves against sheer coastal rock faces. Pointe-à-la-Renommée features North America's first maritime wireless radio station established by Marconi and an iconic red lighthouse.
La Fumerie Boréale / Coastal Picnic in Rivière-au-Renard
Rivière-au-Renard Harbor, Rivière-au-Renard
Known as Quebec's commercial seafood capital, Rivière-au-Renard offers outstanding smoked fish, fresh rolls, and deli provisions for an idyllic seaside lunch.
Forillon National Park: Cap-Bon-Ami Lookout & Cliffs
Forillon North Sector, Forillon National Park
Cap-Bon-Ami provides jaw-dropping vertical limestone headlands dropping straight into the ocean, offering frequent seal sightings and seabird colonies with gentle walking paths.
Bistro Le Brise-Bise
Downtown Gaspé, Downtown Gaspé
A beloved cultural heart in Gaspé town, serving craft Quebec draughts, cod cakes, game burgers, and wild mushroom pasta in a laid-back bistro setting.
Day 4
FORILLON SOUTH & GASPÉ BAY
Land's End (Bout du Monde) & Maritime Whales
Les Bout du Monde Trail (Cap-Gaspé Lighthouse)
Forillon South Sector, Forillon South Sector
A wide, gentle 8 km round-trip coastal fire road that winds out to the very tip of the Gaspé Peninsula where the lighthouse commands the endless open Atlantic.
Café de l'Anse (Centre d'Accueil Forillon)
Grande-Grave, Forillon South
Conveniently located right at the South Sector visitor entrance, serving fresh regional sandwiches, espresso, and baked goods on a sunny deck.
Hyman Store & Heritage Site Grande-Grave
Grande-Grave, Forillon South
A preserved 19th-century general store and historic cod fishing settlement with costumed interpreters that provide tangible insight into the traditional maritime way of life.
Microbrasserie Cap Gaspé (Bistro Bar)
Gaspé Basin, Gaspé Bay Shore
Set right in the Gaspé industrial-harbor sector, crafting superb IPAs and farmhouse ales, complemented by a rotating food truck and wood-fired oven pizzas.
Day 5
PERCÉ & ÎLE-BONAVENTURE
The Iconic Rocher Percé & Northern Gannet Colony
Bonaventure Island & Percé Rock Boat Cruise
Percé Waterfront, Percé Wharf
Circumnavigates the legendary Percé Rock up close, then lands on Bonaventure Island where an accessible 45-minute trail leads to the world's most accessible colony of over 100,000 northern gannets.
La Boîte à Gratitude / Percé Boardwalk
Percé Village, Percé Village
An artisan café on the newly reconstructed Percé boardwalk serving lobster sandwiches, fresh quiches, and organic local coffees overlooking the rock.
Percé UNESCO Geopark Suspended Glass Platform
Percé Geopark, Percé Village
Cantilevered 200 meters above sea level on Mount Sainte-Anne, this glass-bottom skywalk gives an unmatched bird's-eye perspective of Percé Rock and the ocean shelf.
Pub Pit Caribou (L'Anse-à-Beaufils Original)
L'Anse-à-Beaufils Harbor, L'Anse-à-Beaufils
Quebec's most storied craft brewing institution, situated in an authentic coastal harbor shack. Sip barrel-aged sours and wild ales alongside artisan charcuterie and fresh seafood boards.
Day 6
BAIE-DES-CHALEURS (CARLETON-SUR-MER)
Warmer Waters, Fossil Cliffs & Microbrasserie Le Naufrageur
Scenic Baie-des-Chaleurs Drive to Carleton
Baie-des-Chaleurs Coast, Baie-des-Chaleurs
Leaving the dramatic Atlantic headlands behind, the route eases into the sunnier, micro-climatic Baie-des-Chaleurs where water temperatures soften and farmland kisses the shore.
Bistrot Marie 4 Poches
Downtown Carleton, Carleton-sur-Mer
A delightful community bistro and bakery famed for fresh paninis, regional seafood chowder, local salads, and decadent Quebec pastries.
Mont Saint-Joseph Summit & Oratory Lookout
Mont Saint-Joseph, Carleton-sur-Mer
Rising 555 meters directly above the turquoise bay, Mont Saint-Joseph offers one of the most sublime vistas in eastern Canada without a grueling climb, thanks to a paved drive directly to the summit.
Microbrasserie Le Naufrageur
Downtown Carleton, Carleton-sur-Mer
Celebrated for rustic ales infused with local spruce tips and wildflowers, paired with wood-oven pizzas, regional charcuterie, and a lively summer terrace.
Day 7
MATAPÉDIA VALLEY & LOOP COMPLETION (AMQUI TO MONT-JOLI)
Salmon Rivers, Heritage Covered Bridges & Grand Departure
Matapédia Valley Drive & Routhierville Covered Bridge
Matapédia River Corridor, Matapédia Valley
Cuts interior through the lush Matapédia River valley, world-famous for Atlantic salmon fishing, stopping at Quebec's longest historic covered bridge spanning 78 meters.
Auberge l'Ancrage / Microbrasserie La Captive
Amqui Center, Amqui
Housed inside Amqui's former police station and jail, this creative brewpub offers artisanal flatbreads, warm smoked meats, and signature valley craft beers.
Jardins de Métis (Reford Gardens)
Grand-Métis, Grand-Métis
National Historic Site featuring over 3,000 plant species, the famed Himalayan blue poppies, and contemporary landscape installations on the banks of the St. Lawrence.
Le Ketch Microbrasserie
Sainte-Flavie Waterfront, Sainte-Flavie
Perched directly on the St. Lawrence shore where your road trip originated, offering panoramic sunset views across the water with fresh local beers and fish tacos.
Budget
ON TARGETTarget
$2,000
Estimated
$1,940
Difference
$60
Trip Balance Score
How well this trip will actually work
Weighted traveler fit, experience mix, and pace higher for this couple to protect slow mornings and culinary experiences across long driving legs.
What works well
- Counter-clockwise driving direction places the passenger seat right along the water for scenic pull-offs on Route 132.
- Balanced day plans that combine light park hiking with relaxed brewery visits at Pit Caribou and Le Naufrageur.
- Strict control over daily spend by pairing affordable casual seafood canteens at lunch with polished local bistros for dinner.
What we would improve
- The total driving distance is inherently high across Gaspésie, requiring disciplined 2 to 3 hour highway intervals.
- Tight budget cap requires keeping lodging in comfortable boutique motels or cozy gîtes rather than luxury seaside resorts.
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