North of Joliette, the Parc regional des Chutes Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles enchants with its turbulent waters enclosed in rock walls. No need to remember the name of the park to find it beautiful.

When winter comes, the landscape becomes even more magical. We discover the different faces on snowshoes or crampons, depending on snow conditions, while stopping at one of the lookouts.

Beautiful landscapes

The territory connects the iconic Monte-à-Peine waterfall on the Saint-Jean-de-Matha side to the gorge and the Dalles waterfalls on the Sainte-Béatrix side, which explains the name of the park.

The Desjardins trail (no. 1), which runs along the river for the most part, leads to viewpoints. All trails are connected to it.

Some go deep into the forest, others like the Islands trail (no. 11) bring us closer to the river. Near the entrance to Saint-Jean-de-Matha, a one-kilometre loop called La chute (no. 8) joins the Pont de l'Île overlooking the white waters. It is one of the most beautiful corners of the park.

In Sainte-Béatrix, the landscape charms in turn with its rapids between cliffs and its suspension bridge over the canyon.

The famous card

Since the Desjardins trail (no. 1) stretches for five kilometers and does not form a loop, it is too long to walk there and back for the majority of hikers. This is without counting certain intermediate level courses, with slopes.

This is why it becomes very useful to download an Ondago map to your phone before you leave. To simply go and see the famous waterfall at Saint-Jean-de-Matha or the canyon at Sainte-Béatrix, it's very close to the entrance.

Caution and Pleasure

I cannot stress enough the caution around white water and the thin ice that forms there. Better to travel on the trails at all times. It is from there, from a belvedere or a bridge, that you will enjoy admiring the viewpoints and taking beautiful photos.

MONTE-À-PEINE-ET-DES-DALLES FALLS PARK

Ride in Yamaska ​​National Park

For this winter, 11 fat tire bikes (VPS) have been added to the national park near Granby, which doubles the rental fleet. Where to ride? On the Grand-Tour of the Choinière reservoir, a 19-kilometre circuit.

►sepaq.com

Torchlight walk

This tradition returns from December 27 to 30 at the Marais de la Rivière-aux-Cerises in Magog. For the occasion, the paths will be illuminated by a hundred torches. It's worth the trip.

►maraisauxcerises.com

Alain Demers is the author of the book Rediscovering Quebec: 101 destinations, published by Éditions du Journal.