7 contemplative activities to make the most of fall

Planning a day out with your family, your sweetheart or your friends? Look to the members of the QRSTA* for a surprising variety of activities you’ll love! Choose from hiking, apple-picking, discovering heritage, tasting locally made delights and more. Here are a few suggestions!

Hike along the trails at the Val Notre-Dame Abbey

In Lanaudière, the Val Notre-Dame Abbey offers 15 km of trails suitable for all pedestrians, and you can even bring along your faithful canine companion. Admire fall foliage along the trail that takes you directly to the summit, and enjoy the breathtaking view of the region. After your walk, stop off at the store to stock up on artisanal products.

Go apple-picking at the Saint-Benoit-du-Lac Abbey

The Abbey’s orchards boast about 3,500 apple trees and are open every weekend starting after Labour Day until Thanksgiving (October 14). It's the perfect place to go with the whole family and pick a wide variety of apples in a splendid environment. Apples from the orchards are also used to make products that can be purchased from the Abbey's magnificent store.

Travel back in time on a riverside road trip

Take a unique journey through the history and heritage of Montreal's South Shore. Les Sanctuaires du Fleuve (River Sanctuaries) is a structured tour that takes you through Châteauguay, Kahnawake, La Prairie, Longueuil, Boucherville and Varennes to discover priceless treasures. Be inspired by these cultural and spiritual gems and the stories around them that are told through architecture, visual arts, pilgrimages and traditions.

Bring the family to a peaceful site out in nature

The Ermitage Saint-Antoine de Lac-Bouchette is a welcoming, modern spiritual oasis in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region and invites you to explore the free, easily accessible Flâneur (the "stroller") hiking trail. This 7 km trail is divided into shorter loops for you to choose from. You'll appreciate the beauty and purity of the magnificent natural surroundings and the birds singing around the hermitage. After your stroll, climb the observation tower for a breathtaking view of the region!

Mix nature walks with tasty treats

Located north of lac Saint-Jean, the 28-km-long Chemin pèlerin Monasteriorum (website available in French only) is a gateway to the Mistassini Trappist Monks. This trail runs through many places of interest – both spiritual and food-related! And you won't want to forget to stop by the chocolate factory to see the staff at work and pick up a treat. The chocolates made there have put this religious order on the map!

Watch the sunset at Saint Joseph’s Oratory

Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal is a peaceful haven within a bustling city. Among other things, it is renowned as the best place in Montreal to watch a magnificent sunset. Arrive a few hours before the sun sets to enjoy a stroll through the Stations of the Garden of the Way of the Cross, located east of the basilica, one of Montreal's best-kept secrets.

Spend a lovely Sunday in the Townships

The Sunday in the Townships (Dimanche dans les Cantons) self-guided tour allows you to combine a bit of history, heritage and fresh air in one trip. You’re in for a host of spiritual and cultural experiences as you go from mountains to churches and to an inspiring art gallery. One of the stops on this tour is the Mont Saint-Joseph Sanctuary, perched at an altitude of 1,075 m in the heart of Parc national du Mont-Mégantic. It not only offers spectacular views, but also recounts the story of the region’s colonization.

*The Quebec Religious and Spiritual Tourism Association (QRSTA) is proud to contribute to the development and promotion of Quebec’s RICH and DIVERSE religious and spiritual tourism and heritage.