Majestic glacier-carved cliffs soar above the deep blue waters glistening along Saguenay Fjord. If you're in the market for drama, the stunning views won't have you wanting to leave before the show finishes. Cropping the top of Charlevoix, a finger of river edged with rock, the Saguenay Fjord reaches east from Lac St Jean to the St Lawrence River.
While snow and ice may render this a white paradise in winter, the vibrant colors of summer make it hard to imagine the freezing conditions that shaped this place thousands of years ago.
Tadoussac, perched on the corner where Saguenay River meets St Lawrence, is an easy base for area exploring. Whales bring bustle to this small town from May to November when they migrate past, but year-round there are a range of activities to merit keeping a camera and pair of hiking shoes at hand.
Get the lowdown on unusual dunes at the Maison des Dunes Interpretation Centre, or track down a kayak and paddles for a bit of watery fun in Saguenay-St Lawrnce Marine Park. Parc du Saguenay boasts views out over the fjords as reward for little uphill work, or rent a bicycle and take a spin around parts the trail looping Lac St Jean.
Saguenay is 136 miles north of Quebec City and a further 162 (298 in total) miles from Montreal.
