Three proven itineraries for the Gaspé loop: day by day, with campgrounds, hikes, lighthouses and a detailed budget.
The Gaspé loop — 885 km of coastline on Route 132 — is THE Quebec road trip. Here are three proven outdoor itineraries (7, 10 and 14 days), clockwise, with the must-do nature stops.
When to visit Gaspésie?
- Late June to mid-July: everything open, long days, reasonable crowds before the construction holiday.
- Late August to late September: our favourite — fewer people, "warmed" sea, early colours, whales still around.
- Avoid if possible: July 19 to August 1 (2026 construction holiday), when everything sells out.
7-day itinerary (the essentials)
- Day 1 — Montreal/Quebec City → Sainte-Flavie. Stop at the Grand Rassemblement (sculptures in the sea), night at Camping Capitaine Homard.
- Day 2 — Reford Gardens in the morning, then on to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. Night at the Gaspésie National Park campground.
- Day 3 — Hike Mont Albert OR Mont Jacques-Cartier (caribou). Second night in the park.
- Day 4 — Upper Gaspé: La Martre lighthouse, coastal road to Forillon. Night at Cap-Bon-Ami or Petit-Gaspé.
- Day 5 — Forillon Park: Les Graves trail to land's end (Cap Gaspé), seals and black bears. Stop at the Gaspé cross.
- Day 6 — Percé: Percé Rock, cruise to Bonaventure Island and its 110,000 gannets. Night at Camping Côte Surprise.
- Day 7 — Chaleur Bay: swim at Carleton-sur-Mer, return via the Matapédia valley.
10-day itinerary (+3 days)
Add: a second hiking day in Gaspésie Park (Mont Xalibu), a full day in Percé (walking loop of Bonaventure Island), and a Chaleur Bay day (Paspébiac, Bonaventure and Mont Saint-Joseph in Carleton).
14-day itinerary (+4 days)
Add: Pointe-au-Père lighthouse and its submarine in Rimouski, a night in a yurt at L'Anse-au-Griffon, the Matapédia valley for fishing and rest (Zec Casault), and a weather buffer day — in Gaspésie, it always gets used.
Budget and distances
| Item | 7 days (2 people) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | $350-450 | ~2,000 km from Montreal |
| Camping | $250-350 | $30-50/night |
| Bonaventure cruise | ~$90 | Book ahead |
| Park access | $75-120 | Sépaq + Parks Canada |
| Groceries/restaurants | $400-700 | Local fish markets! |
| Total | ~$1,200-1,700 |
Build your own version
Explore all our listings by category: campgrounds, trails, lighthouses, beaches, cruises and monuments. Every listing has GPS, photos and official links.
FAQ
Which direction should I drive the loop? Clockwise (via the Matapédia valley out or back): the sea stays on the passenger side and scenic pull-offs are easier to access.
Is 7 days enough? It is the minimum to enjoy it without rushing. 10 days is real comfort; 14 days unlocks deep Gaspésie.
Do I need to book everything ahead? In July-August, yes for nights (especially Percé and Forillon) and the Bonaventure cruise. In September, only weekends require planning.
Is the loop RV-friendly? Absolutely: Route 132 is suitable and most campgrounds on the route take RVs — check services on each listing.
