Chemin du Lac Jérôme — Réserve faunique des Laurentides Northern Plateau Circuit
Boreal plateau, zero services, pure Quebec Shield.
North of Quebec City, the Réserve faunique des Laurentides swallows you whole. The Chemin du Lac Jérôme punches into the reserve’s northern plateau from the Route 175 corridor, climbing through mixed boreal forest onto exposed Canadian Shield terrain where the road surface alternates between washboarded gravel, exposed bedrock ledges, and soft clay that turns treacherous after rain. The Rivière aux Écorces crossing at roughly the midpoint is the route’s key obstacle — a shallow but wide ford with no bridge, running fast in spring and early summer. Logged sections give way to old-growth pockets where moose stand in the road like they own the place, because up here they do.
This is a moderate to difficult overland route depending heavily on seasonal conditions. High-clearance 4WD is mandatory after June rains or during spring breakup; a stock Tacoma or 4Runner is the minimum sensible vehicle. The reserve charges a day-use access fee at the main gate on Route 175 — carry cash. Fuel in Stoneham or Chicoutimi before you commit; there is nothing inside. Best run July through September before October snows start sticking to the plateau. Dispersed camping is permitted in designated zones along the route. You earn absolute solitude and a sky full of stars that urban Quebec residents forget exists.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 53 mi / 85 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2650 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury, QC |
| Land manager | Sépaq — Réserve faunique des Laurentides |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | sepaq.com |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Tacoma or stock 4Runner run this trail without issues?
A stock 4Runner with decent all-terrains handles it fine in dry conditions. Lifted rigs have more margin on the rougher bog crossings and rutted forestry sections, but ground clearance matters more than lockers here — minimum 8 inches under the skids.
When does the Chemin du Lac Jérôme circuit actually open and close each year?
July through September is the reliable window. Spring thaw turns the plateau roads into axle-deep mud through May and into June, and early snow can hit the high ground by October — Sépaq can gate access with little notice outside peak season.
Do you need a permit to drive through the Réserve faunique des Laurentides, and what does it cost?
Yes, Sépaq charges a daily access fee per vehicle to enter the reserve — as of recent seasons it runs roughly CAD $10-$12/day per adult plus a vehicle fee. Buy it at the entry station or online via sepaq.com before you roll through, because there is no self-pay iron ranger inside.
What's the hardest section on this route and what should I actually be ready for?
The water crossings on the northern plateau are the wild card — runoff from the black spruce bogs keeps several low-water crossings soft and unpredictable even in summer. They're not technical rock crawls, but silty bottoms with no visible depth make momentum and a recovery kit non-negotiable. Approach slow, read the far bank exit, and don't assume it's the same as the last time someone drove it.
Is there any place to refuel or resupply once you leave Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury?
Zero. The tagline says it straight — no services for the full 85 km. Top off fuel in Stoneham or Quebec City before entry, carry enough food and water for an unplanned overnight, and factor in a recovery buffer because the nearest tow is a very long, expensive conversation.
Trail track
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