Lamarche: Hiking Trails, Waterfalls and Lake Views

Lamarche invites you to discover the landscape on foot and from the water. At Lac Tchitogama, viewpoints open up views across the lake; along the Rivière Blanche, trails wind through fern forest and past cascades. Nearby, Montagne de la Tour adds its own distinctive feature with a panoramic summit view. When planning your trip, it is worth keeping these different nature experiences and their respective trails in mind.

Hiking between the river and waterfalls

The Sentier des Chutes Blanches is 1.5 kilometres long and rated moderate. The trail follows the Rivière Blanche through a fern-covered forest. Numerous cascades line the route up to the foot of the first waterfall. At the top of the second waterfall, a viewpoint offers a panorama of Lac Tchitogama and the surrounding mountains. On this named hiking trail, you can experience a river, forest, cascades and waterfall views. The length and difficulty rating give you a useful guide when fitting the hike into your day’s plans.

Lake views and landforms

The Sentier pédestre du lac Tchitogama combines views of the lake with a different subject: two viewpoints offer impressive views of Lac Tchitogama, and the trail provides information about the area’s geomorphology. The landscape is therefore not only a backdrop, but also something to discover. Geomorphology is the study of the forms and development of landscapes—an interesting addition if, while hiking, you would also like to notice how the surroundings have been shaped.

A summit panorama nearby

Near Lamarche, Montagne de la Tour reaches an elevation of 640 metres. Its dome-shaped summit offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Lac-Saint-Jean subregion and part of the Saguenay subregion. The Sentier de la Montagne de la Tour can be reached by water from Pointe d'Appel or via the ZEC de la Boîteuse. On the approach, you can cover the first 5.5 kilometres by mountain bike or ATV; the final 0.5 kilometres are on foot along a steep, constructed and marked trail. These access options differ from the hiking trails by the lake and waterfalls, so they are a practical point to consider when planning your day.

Water and activities at OTIS Nature

OTIS Nature is a four-season tourist station in Lamarche, offering a way to discover the area’s natural beauty. Facilities and activities include access to more than 120 kilometres of navigable waterways, a beach, hiking trails and watercraft rentals. At OTIS Nature, you can fish for pike and walleye independently or with a guide; fishing options vary by season. As other offerings may change, it is worth checking them before making specific plans.

Choose the right focus

When looking for a vacation rental, it may help to consider which nature experiences you want to shape your stay: the trails by the lake and along the Rivière Blanche, or also the summit panorama of nearby Montagne de la Tour. Keep in mind that access to Montagne de la Tour has different options and includes a final section on foot. This can help you choose your accommodation location based on the type of excursion you want, without treating the different trails as equivalent.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hébertville, Desbiens, Saint-Henri-De-Taillon, Saint-Ludger-de-Milot, Alma, Labrecque, Saint-Gédéon

Back to the main travel overview: Lac-Saint-Jean-Est.