Chemin Forestier de la Zec de la Rivière-aux-Rats — Mauricie Laurentian Plateau Circuit
Plateau mud and fords above the Saint-Maurice.
The Zec de la Rivière-aux-Rats occupies a rugged chunk of the Laurentian Plateau northeast of La Tuque, straddling the headwaters of multiple Saint-Maurice tributaries. The main forestry road into the zone leaves Hwy 155 north of La Tuque and climbs steadily onto the plateau — within 20 km the pavement is a distant memory and you’re threading through second-growth balsam fir on a two-track that gets progressively narrower and softer. The Rivière aux Rats crossing at kilometre 44 is the gut-check moment: a ford that runs knee-deep in spring melt and drops to ankle-level by August. The road beyond it accesses remote lakeshore campsites that almost nobody reaches without a rig capable of handling soft shoulders and unexpected washouts.
Minimum requirement is a high-clearance 4WD with lockers or at least aggressive all-terrain rubber — mud tires earn their keep in this drainage. A Zec daily access fee applies; purchase at the checkpoint on Hwy 155. Best season is July through early October after the blackflies ease off. La Tuque is your last fuel and grocery stop — the town is 60+ km from the interior sites. Cell service disappears at the checkpoint. What you get in return: boreal solitude, brook trout fishing that people don’t talk about enough, and moose in the road at dawn like it’s their parking lot.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109.4 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1870 ft |
| Best season | July-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with AT tires |
| Nearest town | La Tuque, Quebec |
| Land manager | Zec de la Rivière-aux-Rats (Organisme de gestion en commun) |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | zecs.qc.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle this trail, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with aggressive AT tires can manage most of the circuit, but factory skid plates and a limited-slip or locking differential are serious assets on the wet plateau sections. A 2-3 inch lift adds meaningful margin on the creek crossings and rutted forestry roads. Don't attempt this in a crossover or light-duty AWD.
When does the trail open in spring and is it passable after heavy rain?
July through October is the realistic window — spring snowmelt and frost-thaw cycles leave the plateau roads severely rutted and soft well into June. After heavy rain in summer, the dirt and clay sections turn into axle-deep mud traps; give it 48-72 hours to drain before heading in.
Do I need a permit to access the Zec de la Rivière-aux-Rats, and is there a fee?
Yes, access requires a Zec permit purchased through the Zec de la Rivière-aux-Rats directly — you must register before entering, not after. Fees cover vehicle access and any camping nights; check current rates at zecs.qc.ca since they adjust seasonally. No self-registration kiosks exist on the remote sections, so sort this out in La Tuque or online before you roll in.
What's the hardest section and what specifically makes it technical?
The mid-plateau creek crossings combined with the clay-based forestry cuts on the northern half are where this trail bites — water depth on the fords can exceed 24 inches after rain, and the approach and exit angles are steep and slick. Wheel placement matters and there's no recovery vehicle coming; pack a proper recovery kit and know how to use a winch anchor in a treedline with no obvious pull points.
How far is the nearest gas station and should I carry extra fuel for 109 km of backcountry?
La Tuque is your last fuel stop — fill completely before leaving town. Given the low speeds, technical terrain, and 4WD engagement across 109 km, expect significantly higher fuel consumption than highway driving; a vehicle with a 400 km tank range should carry a minimum 20-litre jerry can as backup. There is no fuel, no cell service, and no resupply anywhere on the circuit.
Trail track
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