The Malbaie River through Parc des Grands Jardins offers challenging wilderness paddling with 21 rapids ranging from R-I to R-V difficulty and 8 portages required. This remote section flows through Quebec's spectacular boreal ecosystem, featuring pristine mountain lakes, dense spruce forests, and lichen-covered landscapes reminiscent of the far north. With only 2 established campsites, this route demands self-sufficiency and advanced planning for multi-day expeditions. The river showcases the unique taiga environment of the Charlevoix region, best experienced from June to September when access roads and weather conditions permit safe travel.
The document describes 21. The map shows 9, because it only places rapids a national survey publishes a coordinate for. The two counts measure different things.
| Rapid | Class | Portage | Surveyor's note |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-I | R-I R1 | 25m | |
| R-II | R-II R2 | 50m | |
| R-I | R-I R1 | 200m | |
| R-II | R-II R2 | 100m | |
| R-II | R-II R2 | 100m | |
| R-II | R-II R2 | 100m, S-IV | |
| R-I | R-I R1 | 25m | |
| R-I-III | R-I-III R1-3 | 400m | |
| R-II | R-II R2 | 260m | |
| R-I | R-I R1 | 250m | |
| R-II | R-II R2 | 150m | |
| R-III | R-III R3 | 100m | |
| Danger, chute 10 mètres | S-V S5 | yes | Danger, chute, 10 mètres |
| Rapides de la petite rivière Malbaie | R-III-IV R3-4 | 350m, non naviguable par eau basse | |
| Rapides à Vézina | yes | 600m | |
| Rapides Guilmour | R-II-III R2-3 | 500m | |
| R-II, 300m | R-II R2 | 300m | |
| R-II, 350m | R-II R2 | 350m | |
| R-II, 600m | R-II R2 | 600m | |
| Rapides du Son | R-II à R-V R2-5 | R-II, 100m; R-III, 250m; R-IV, 85m; R-V, 20m | |
| Rapides de la petite rivière Malbaie | R-III-IV R3-4 | 350m, non naviguable par eau basse |
This table publishes no position for any rapid. Where a surveyor's note mentions a kilometre, those are their words quoted as written, and the figure was read off a scanned map: use it to follow their description, not to navigate. Most of these surveys were written in French.
Surveyed by Parc, 2003-08. MalbaieGrandsJardins.pdf
The document describes 8 portage(s).
| Portage | Length | Bank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Départ du camping Duberger | not stated | ||
| Départ de la rivière du Jardin | not stated | ||
| Départ du ruisseau à Jack | not stated | ||
| 750m | 750 m | ||
| 7600m | 7600 m | ||
| 1400m | 1400 m | ||
| Écluse Mingon 110m | 110 m | ||
| 1100m | 1100 m |
The document describes 2 campsite(s).
Malbaie (parc des Grands Jardins) is rated Advanced. Whitewater ratings are not exact: grades change with water level and season. Verify current conditions locally before you paddle.
The best time is June-September.
Malbaie (parc des Grands Jardins) is located in the Charlevoix region of Canada.
cartespleinair.org · sepaq.com · grandquebec.com · plan.planningmotion.com
Conditions change with water level and season. Grades and positions are for planning, not navigation. Verify locally before you paddle. Terms of use
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