Gaspe Peninsula Ride

Introduction
Quebec Canada

The Gaspe Ride offers a chance to move through beautiful wild scenery with some good gallops and trots as well as quiet walks, which provides an opportunity to see splendid views. The mighty Gulf of St. Lawrence is glimpsed far off at times from the crests of hills and closer up as one rides along the coast where ducks and seals gather. Ride through maple and pine forests along old logging roads, past rushing rivers and sparkling lakes. All of the overnight stops are attractive country inns and are built and decorated in the style of old France.
We have designed the trip, to let the rider experience great horseback riding adventures, while visiting  many different Inns and local homes, allowing you to encounter firsthand a very distinctive country and culture, along with excellent Quebecois cuisine.

Accomodation

Sunday Night - The Auberge (Inn) Une Ferme en Gaspesie  (A farm in Gaspesie) is the base for the ride. Here you will find the host is a true Innkeeper, exuding warmth and hospitality. He cooks wild fowl, meat and fish dishes in the fine tradition of the best French cuisine. There are six lovely bedrooms to choose from, with shared bathrooms, as well as room in his personal home next door if extra space is required. When weather permits, there is also a lovely fire pit area outside, where guests can enjoy bonfires, as well as horseshoe pits and swinging glider chairs, in which you can sit and spend some very pleasant moments.

Monday & Thursday Nights are spent at a very unique spot called Lac (Lake) Malcolm  which is the location for an outdoor activities outfitter. Here you will find a huge recreation center, with an outdoor pool, volleyball court, canoes and paddleboats for rent. There is also trout fishing available for those that desire. This is a beautiful center built literally right on the scenic shores of Lac Malcolm. Here the rider will stay overnight in the newly built accommodations which are on the edge of the lake.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights are spent at Hotel Belle Plage. The Roux family acquired Hôtel Belle Plage on October 1, 1953, and progressively transformed it into the first-class establishment it is today.  The City of Matade has a Museum which has 50 paintings of the collection "Les Couleurs de la Gaspésie"

Friday Night - The farewell night is once again spent at the Inn Une Ferme en Gaspesie where Pierre will serve a special good-bye dinner.

Single Accommodations: You can reserve a single room in advance (limited availability), but we prefer for you to reserve a half double room. This means that we will try to room you with another rider of the same gender. Single supplement to be paid locally.

Subject to change

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

HORSES AND TACK
Pierre owns different breeds of horses, with the majority being Quarter Horses, as well as the Canadian horse breed. They are all well trained and willing. The tack is Western, Western Endurance (light weight without the horn), as well as three English Endurance saddles available upon request. All tack is in fine condition and very comfortable.
Riders should be capable of controlling a horse at the walk, trot and canter, and be able to spend five to six hours per day in the saddle. Pierre, a qualified riding instructor, sets a good pace with lots of long trots and canters.

Itinerary

Sunday
Arrive in the evening at Mont-Joli. Transfer (not included) to the Inn Une Ferme en Gaspesie where riders will be served their evening meal after 6 p.m.

Monday
Today we will descend the Tartigou River Valley with its steep sides and bewitching landscape. The rider will be treated to The Evergreen Trail which derives its name from the majestic conifer trees hugging the rider on either side, creating an illusion of riding through an evergreen tunnel. On this day you will also ride through numerous meadows filled with an abundance of wild flowers in season, where cattle graze and the typical farms of the area dot the landscape. You will see sparkling lakes with many panoramic views. Enjoy lunch today at a maple syrup cabin.
Late afternoon you will arrive at Lac Malcolm, where the rider can relax with a refreshing beverage served either in the beautiful dining and lounge area overlooking the lake or on an outdoor patio, or partake in one of the many activities offered there.

Tuesday
Today’s route begins by following some of the rural roads where years ago many colonists lived. Here the rider can imagine how life used to be in olden days when the area was filled with an abundance of families. Lunch will be at the Auberge de la pente abrupte. The afternoon takes you through lushly forested areas. As shadows lengthen reach tonight's destination Hotel Belle Plage on the St Lawrence RIve, an oasis of comfort and good taste.

** RIDE ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. **

Rates and Dates for Gaspe Peninsula Ride

Dates Note: from Sunday evening to Saturday morning

Other Info
Meeting: Les Boules
Airport: Mont Joli / Quebec City
Transfer: Not available- take a taxi from Mont Joli to Les Boules

Climate:

The average temperatures in April are 45° F (8° C) during the day, and 25° F (-1° C) at night. During the summer months the daytime temperatures are generally in the upper 70’s during the day (25° C), cooling down to the mid 50’s (13° C) at night. In October the average daytime temperature is 52° F (11° C), dropping to 36°F (2° C) at night.

Our season commences in June with the debut of tender soft greens of spring, which turn into a glorious abundance of wildflowers, and it extends throughout the warm vibrant days of summer, and comes to spectacular finale mid October, when the hardwood forests are ablaze with colour, competing easily with other areas in the world, known for their beautiful fall foliage. The average fall foliage season is mid September through mid-October.