Trip in Abitibi-Témiscamingue: Practical guide 101

by Jennifer Doré Dallas

An adventure at the heart of a rich, vibrant and 100% nature territory speaks to you? You dream of wide spaces, of remarkable encounters, of preserved nature and of a colorful artistic life? A trip in the area has everything to please epicurious travelers, outdoors lovers as well as people enjoying history. Here is a practical guide to travel in Abitibi-Témiscamingue to support you in planning your stay and enjoy our region fully!

Where is it and how to get there?

Even if I know that it seems so far away in people’s imagination, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue area is way more accessible than you think! Located in the West of the province of Quebec, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue extends over a vast territory bordered by the Ontario in the West, the Outaouais and the Laurentians in the South-East:

By car: via Road 117 (from Montreal), the panoramic roads offer a beautiful prelude to the evasion. From Montreal, Val-d’Or can be accessed in a little over 5 hours.
By plane: daily interregional flights bound Montreal to Rouyn-Noranda, Val-d’Or and Amos.
By bus: the network of long-distance journeys and connections are in service in the main cities of the area.

With its infinite forests, its shiny lakes and its welcoming villages, it’s a region that surprises for its landscape diversity.

In order to give you a mental image, it is made of 5 RCM that you will probably hear about:

The roads are beautiful between the RCMs of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. — Picture : Christian Leduc

When to visit the Abitibi-Témiscamingue?

For a first visit, you wonder what is the best time to travel to Abitibi-Témiscamingue? Not easy to answer, because every season offers a unique perspective and different activities:

Summer: Ideal for camping, festivals and outdoors adventures, the season makes the region get antsy.
Fall: the flame-like colored forests are breathtaking and the outdoors remains well active before the colder months.
Winter: True paradise for snowmobiling, ski and snowy adventures, the region will warm you up assuredly.
Spring: Perfect for the bird lovers and those enjoying quiet hikes, this moment of the year awakens everything!

Festivals, events and must-see activities in Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Another way to pick the time of the year where you will explore this beautiful region of the North-West of Quebec, is also to anchor your trip to one of the popular events!

Notably, the Festival de Musique Émergente (FME) in Rouyn-Noranda, the Festival du Cinéma International in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the Foire Gourmande of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and the North-East of Ontario, or Pikogan’s Pow-Wow are what comes to mind first, but there are so many others!

An Anicinabe dressed in traditional regalia during a Pow Wow in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. — Picture : Marie-Frédérique Frigon

Festivals are vibrant in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. The images captured during the FME are proof of it: this crowd is clearly enjoying the guest band. — Picture : Marie-Frédérique Frigon

As for attractions, the North-West of Quebec overflows with cultural, natural and innovative finds! I would like to name every single one of the attractions of each of the 5 MRC of the area, but I will control myself and save some surprises for you… So, here are a few classics and must-sees of Abitibi-Témiscamingue that are part of favorites:

D’Aiguebelle National Park, one of the natural gems of Quebec, a park where the outdoors in Abitibi-Témiscamingue meets all the hype.
The Cité de l’Or and the Mining Village of Bourlamaque to descend into a former mine, it’s part of my most memorable experiences.
The endearing Refuge Pageau (Wildlife refuge) and its animal boarders that have been rescued

Aiguebelle National Park is a must-see in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. With its scenic trails, suspension bridge, and watercraft rentals, fun and discovery are guaranteed. — Picture : Christian Leduc

For animal lovers, a visit to the Refuge Pageau near Amos is a must. Its mission and values are truly focused on animal well-being, and it’s a real joy to observe the animals up close while learning more about them. — Picture : Christian Leduc

What to eat and where to refuel in Abitibi-Témiscamingue?

Trust me! As a renowned foodie, I can assure you that you are about to eat well in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Local products (Artisan cheeses, game meat, nordic berries, etc.), native cuisine, microbreweries and local distilleries, coffees and baked goods, foodie festivals and public markets are happening everywhere!

There are plenty of gourmet treasures to discover in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. It’s up to you to explore the markets, terraces, greenhouses, and so much more. — Picture : Christian Leduc

Explore the regional flavors here and you will realize it by yourself. From Rouyn-Noranda to Ville-Marie, passing by the small towns of Abitibi-West, Amos-Harricana or the Vallée-de-l’Or, the people of Abitibi-Témiscamingue know how to host!

What to bring on a trip in Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Travelling in Abitibi-Témiscamingue looks like any other trip to a region of Quebec when it comes to luggages, but a few elements are good to know. Here are a few tips that will help you pack:

In every season, think about layerable garments (the onion peel technique), a raincoat, a cap or a beanie, because the nights are cool!
In the winter, it’s better if you have too many clothes on that we can take off than freezing. I particularly adore the thin thermal layers that take less space in the bags.
During the Summer, think of the bug repellent, the sunglasses and do not forget about your swimsuit. Our thousands of lakes invite you to dip yourself all the time!
Have a reusable bottle handy, we love durable tourism, and the water is so good to drink that it’s being bottled nearby (Eska).

Ready to explore the Abitibi-Témiscamingue? We will welcome you with arms wide open and this guide is only a starting point: explore the sections of the site and of the blog to find your ideal itinerary, custom experiences and perfect accommodations to live the region to your own rhythm.

Have a good trip in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, wherever the road leads you!