Charlevoix & Saguenay Fjord Loop
Head north from Quebec City to Baie-Saint-Paul, Hautes-Gorges, and Tadoussac for whale watching, then loop back around the fjord.
A well-established short loop starting from Quebec City. First, explore the artistic towns and culinary routes along the river, then take the ferry to Tadoussac for whale watching. Follow the north shore of the fjord to Chicoutimi, and finally return to the city through the mountains. The pace is manageable, with full days dedicated to the Hautes-Gorges and whale watching. Ideal for a summer or autumn road trip, combining culture and nature, and offering a more relaxed alternative to the Gaspé loop.
Whale watching runs from mid-May to mid-October, peaking in July and August; boat tours must be booked in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Falls & Canyons to Baie-Saint-Paul
Greater Québec City（Montmorency Falls、Canyon Sainte-Anne） → Charlevoix (Baie-Saint-Paul)（Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Galleries）
Drive along Route 138 to Baie-Saint-Paul (approx. 100 km, 1.5 hours), making stops along the way.
Stay: Baie-Saint-Paul
Day 2 · Isle-aux-Coudres & the Coastal Highway
Charlevoix (Baie-Saint-Paul)（Isle-aux-Coudres、Les Éboulements & Seigneurial Mill） → La Malbaie（Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu & Casino de Charlevoix、Pointe-au-Pic Riverside Promenade）
Take the free 15-minute ferry from Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive to the island, then follow Route 362 to La Malbaie.
Stay: Pointe-au-Pic
Day 3 · Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie
Charlevoix (Baie-Saint-Paul)（Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park）
Drive from La Malbaie to the park entrance (approx. 45 km, 40 minutes), followed by park shuttles and hiking.
The park is open from late May to October; boat tours require reservations.
Stay: Pointe-au-Pic
Day 4 · Cross the Saguenay River to Tadoussac
Charlevoix (Baie-Saint-Paul)（Port-au-Persil） → Tadoussac（Tadoussac Bay & Hôtel Tadoussac、Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM)、Tadoussac Dunes）
Drive along Route 138 to Baie-Sainte-Catherine (approx. 1.5 hours), then take the free ferry (approx. 10 minutes).
Ferry lines can be long on summer weekends.
Stay: Tadoussac Village
Day 5 · Whale Watching by Boat & from the Shore
Tadoussac（Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park、Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre）
Take a whale-watching cruise from Tadoussac wharf (approx. 3 hours), then drive 30 minutes to Cap-de-Bon-Désir in the afternoon.
Stay: Tadoussac Village
Day 6 · Fjord North Shore to Chicoutimi
Tadoussac（Sainte-Rose-du-Nord） → Chicoutimi (Saguenay)
Drive along Route 172 to Chicoutimi (approx. 130 km, about 2 hours plus stops).
Stay: Chicoutimi (Saguenay)
Day 7 · Baie Éternité & through the Mountains back to the City
Tadoussac（Saguenay Fjord National Park – Baie-Éternité & Cap Trinité） → Greater Québec City
Detour to Baie Éternité, then take Route 175 through the Réserve faunique des Laurentides back to the city (approx. 3.5 hours).
Moose are common on Route 175; slow down after dusk.