Canoe / kayak

Itinerary

The proposed route totals 17 km.
Each kilometer is marked on the right bank.

Approximate duration
5 to 6 hours in low water (generally from July to October)
4 to 5 hours in high water (generally from May to June)

Fast
This river features two class 1 rapids (easy level) and a few whitewater sections.

Mandatory stop
  Kilometer 17 is located at the Accueil Cantin. The landing is on the left bank before the road bridge. The stretch of river below the bridge contains impassable passages (advanced falls and rapids).

An inhabited territory

The river is lined with private land along the entire route. The beaches and quays (right and left banks) are privately owned.

No stopping possible outside the suggested stopping points (below). By landing on these sites, you are unfortunately jeopardizing our relationship of trust with local residents.

Local residents are extraordinary collaborators. In return, we have to show them that we are respectful and that they are right to trust us in this development.

The beach at Camping Etsanha (2 km before the end of the route) is reserved for campers staying there only.

Suggested stop and point of interest

Km 2.5 Delaney Falls: This stopover gives you access to the spectacular Delaney Falls. You can leave your boats on the beach and walk to the falls (500-meter walk only). Dry toilets on site.

Km 3.5 On the water, right from your boat, watch Delaney Falls behind you. It's an enchanting setting!

Km 7.5 Camping de la Vallée: Camping de la Vallée welcomes canoe-campers and also offers a stopover for lunch. There are picnic tables, a sink with water (non-drinking), a dry toilet and a shelter.

Km 8.5 On your left, look out for the impressive Cap Bédard, the highest point on the Falaises trail.

Despite the impossibility of stopping at private beaches, you can take a swim break at several points when the river is at low water. A few sandbars will reveal themselves in the middle of the river.

For lunch, if you don't stop at the Camping de la Vallée, you can float gently and eat on the water, right from your boat. It's a great experience to try!

Eco-responsibility

Listen to nature and what it has to offer. Avoid shouting and note that noisemakers are forbidden.. Noise pollution has a major impact on the natural environment and on the peace and quiet of local residents;

Local residents see several boats a day. Avoid calling out to them and disturbing them. Respect their privacy;

There are no garbage cans on the course, only at the landing stage. Bring back ALL your waste without exception. Glass containers are prohibited on the river;

The dogs are not eligible;

The inflatable boats are prohibited with the exception of paddle boards;

Forbidden fires;

Stop only at the suggested stops;

If you have a sanitary emergency at any time other than the proposed rest stops, bring back your soiled toilet paper.

Your safety, your duty

The river is not patrolled. You are responsible for your own safety and that of your peers at all times.

Wearing the flotation jacket Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is mandatory;

This river features several communication and access difficulties in case of emergency evacuation. The road remains accessible on foot via the left bank along the entire route;

Down the river with a minimum of two boats and double your vigilance before the rapids;

Stay away from ice jams (dead trees near the surface or submerged banks);

Drinking river water is not recommended, as it is unfit for human consumption;

You accept the inherent risks such as drowning, capsizing, hypothermia, fractures, cuts, etc.

In the rapids sections

Lower your weight in the boat to be more stable (knees at the bottom);

Observe, slow down, communicate and keep your boat parallel to the current. A canoe perpendicular to the obstacles is much more likely to capsize;

If your canoe overturns, stay calm. Move away from the boat to avoid getting caught between a rock and your canoe. Adopt a defensive swimming position (on your back, feet facing downstream) and try to retrieve your boat only when you're back in calm water. If your boat gets stuck in the middle of the river or is difficult to retrieve, swim to the left bank to call for help.

Canoe-camping

Campfire wood is sold at the Accueil Shannahan.
You can carry it in your canoe;

The campsite is located halfway along the route. There is a dock on the right bank between Km 7 and 8. A sign reads "Camping de la Vallée";

The sites are not numbered, so the first to arrive will be the first to choose their pitch for the night;

There's one group site and several smaller ones. Each has a picnic table and fire pit. (Fires are permitted only in these areas and only on the entire course);

The lean-to is a covered cooking area. No tents are allowed, even in the rain, as this is a communal area.

As a storm approaches

Look out for the signs

• Dark skies
• Presence of lightning
• Wind gusts

If you have less than 15 seconds between lightning and thunder, return to shore without delay;

• DURING A STORM:
• Stay away from water sources. Water is an excellent conductor.
• Get to shore as quickly as possible, but don't get in the water;
• Avoid taking shelter under trees or other equipment that may attract lightning;
• In the forest, seek protection under a dense canopy of shrubs or small trees;
• The best position to adopt is to curl up on the floor (legs bent over, hands on knees, body and head bent forward).

Respect our employees

Rinse your cans before placing them in the bottom of your rental boat. This will help us control unpleasant odours;

If you have rented a boat, you must be back at the Accueil Cantin before 6pm. Late fees may apply.

The Vallée Bras-du-Nord team thanks you for your invaluable cooperation and wishes you an excellent trip down the river!

For river descent

• A minimum of drinking water
  (1 to 2 liters / person/day. Water on Vallée Bras-du-Nord territory is not considered potable. We strongly advise you to boil your water, bring a filter or a water purification treatment (e.g. Pristine) to treat it).
• Snacks or other sources of energy.
• Hat and sunglasses
• Fly oil (particularly in May and June)
• Sun protection
• Bathing suit and beach towel
• Alternative clothing options
• Rain gear
• First aid kit
• Waterproof bag to carry your equipment
  (a garbage bag inside your backpack can be an alternative to keep your belongings dry)
• Comfortable waterproof footwear
• River map (available at launch)
• Toilet paper
• Please bring back ALL YOUR WASTE in garbage bags.

It's a good idea to plan for every eventuality. In the event of bad weather, or even an accident, you may have to stay in one place for a long time, waiting for the weather to improve or for help to arrive.

Vallée Bras-du-Nord offers canoe, single kayak and double kayak rentals. This service includes paddles, flotation jackets and river access rights. Shuttle service available WITH RESERVATION ONLY (Dry bag rental not available).

Canoes can accommodate up to two adults and one child aged 10 and under.

Rates include boat, river access, boat transport, life jackets and paddles (taxes not included).

* Holidays and construction vacations.

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The customer must be self-sufficient for transportation between the Accueil Cantin and Accueil Shannahan areas. This person may use a cab service or bring two vehicles. Please note that no boats are put on the river after 1 pm.

Inflatable boats are prohibited with the exception of high-pressure inflatable paddleboards, canoes and kayaks made of rigid, resistant material.

These boats are just as efficient as non-inflated ones. It is advisable to have good paddleboarding experience to paddle down the Bras-du-Nord river, and to remove the fin for the short sections of R1. Rigid paddleboards are not recommended, as the shallow rocky bottom can damage these craft.

Planche à pagaie (SUP)
IMPORTANT : Ne jamais attacher la laisse à la cheville dans une rivière.
Pourquoi?
Une laisse fixée à la cheville peut se coincer dans une branche, une roche ou un obstacle sous l’eau. La planche reste bloquée… et vous pouvez être entraîné sous l’eau sans pouvoir vous libérer. Malheureusement, plusieurs accidents mortels sont survenus au Québec dans des situations comme celle-là. La seule façon sécuritaire de s’attacher à sa planche en rivière si désiré, c’est avec une ceinture à dégagement rapide (quick release belt) portée à la taille. En cas de pépin, elle permet de se libérer rapidement.

Merci de contribuer à faire de la rivière un lieu sécuritaire et agréable !

Shuttle service

The shuttle departs from Accueil Cantin at 9 and 10 a.m., by reservation and with boat rental only. You must arrive 15 minutes in advance.

The shuttle runs every day from St-Jean-Baptiste Day to Labour Day.

From Labour Day to Thanksgiving, the shuttle is available Saturday and Sunday only.

Cab service

If there is no shuttle service, you can leave your vehicle at Accueil Cantin and pay for a cab to take you to the departure point at Accueil Shannahan.

Own transport with 2 vehicles

It is also possible to provide your own transport using 2 vehicles.
At this point, leave your first car at Accueil Cantin and use your second car to get to the boat launch at Accueil Shannahan.

CAMPING AND VANLIFE
100% payable on reservation

7 days or less
before the date of your arrival:
Reservations cannot be refunded or transferred to another date.

From 7 to 14 days
before the date of your arrival:
Cancellation: 30% non-refundable
Modification: date change authorized (balance to be paid where applicable / no refund of price difference)

15 days or more
before the date of your arrival:
A full refund is granted free of charge.

YURTS AND REFUGES
100% payable on reservation

14 days or less
before the date of your arrival:
Reservations cannot be refunded or transferred to another date.

15 to 30 days
before the date of your arrival:
Cancellation: 30% non-refundable
Modification: date change authorized (balance to be paid where applicable / no refund of price difference)

31 days or more
before the date of your arrival:
A full refund is granted free of charge.

COTTAGES
100% payable on reservation

30 days or less
before the date of your arrival:
Reservations cannot be refunded or transferred to another date.

From 31 to 60 days
before the date of your arrival:
Cancellation: 30% non-refundable
Change of date authorized for the same chalet (balance to be paid where applicable / no refund of price difference)

61 days or more
before the date of your arrival:
A full refund is granted free of charge

HIKING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, RIVER
Daily hiking, mountain biking and river day passes
100% payable on reservation

No refunds or credits possible.
Date changes are allowed until 9:00 AM on the day of the reservation, provided access has not yet been validated.

EQUIPMENT RENTAL, LESSONS, GUIDED OUTINGS
100% payable on reservation

7 days or less
before the date of your arrival:
Reservations cannot be refunded or transferred to another date.

From 8 to 14 days
before the date of your arrival:
Cancellation: 30% non-refundable
Authorized date change or credit on file (balance to be paid where applicable / no refund of price difference)

15 days or more
before the date of your arrival:
A full refund is granted free of charge.

Other terms and conditions

Force majeure | Trail closures

In the event that we close our facilities due to circumstances beyond our control (weather or other conditions), no refund is possible, but a credit will be offered at the discretion of Vallée Bras-du-Nord. If one or more trails are impassable, no accommodation will be reimbursed, credited or relocated if it remains accessible (chalet, yurt, shelter, campsite).

Important

For all reservation changes or cancellations, please contact the Vallée Bras-du-Nord sales and reservations department at 1 418 337-3635. An agent will be happy to follow up your request according to the applicable terms and conditions.

Rental conditions

Security deposit: A credit card number is required upon check-in or pick-up. In the event of breakage or excessive wear and tear to the
infrastructure or equipment, or loss of equipment, your credit card will be charged for repairs or replacement. The user is responsible for the rented infrastructure or equipment during the rental period.

Gift certificates, gift packages, annual passes

non-refundable or non-exchangeable.

COVID-19 :

Should new government health measures prevent us from operating normally, you will be offered a credit to postpone your stay to the dates of your choice (subject to availability). In all other cases, our standard policies will apply.

ACTIVITIES
where your dog is allowed (on a leash at all times)

 
Hiking, Snowshoeing, Fatbike (Grande Evasion only)

Accomodation

Where your dog is allowed

 
Campsites: Shannahan, Etsanha
Yurts: Auréole, Nymphe, Méandre, Repère, Éclipse, Phare
Shelters: La Hutte, Le Draveur, Des Falaises, Montagne Art, Orignal, Philosore, Yourte Delaney
Cottages: de la Rivière, Petit Loup, Geai Bleu

ACTIVITIES
where your dog is NOT allowed

       
Mountain biking, Canoeing and kayaking, Canyoning, Via ferrata
 
Ski Hok, Back-country skiing

Accomodation
where your dog is NOT allowed

 
Campsites: de la Vallée
Yurts: Muse, Quart de Lune
Shelters: La Clairière
Cottages: Kame, Esker, Loess

Special conditions apply to accommodations managed by private owners (Chalets et Camping Etsanha, Au Chalet en Bois Rond, Chalet Cardinal and Domaine de la Passerelle). Please contact the owners directly to learn about their policies.

Guidelines for dog owners:

Your dog must remain in the areas where it is allowed at all times.

Your dog must always be held on a leash and under supervision. The maximum leash length is 3 metres.

Your dog must not never be left alone indoor or outdoor accommodation (chalet, yurt, shelter, tent, camper or vehicle). They must be under the supervision of a responsible person at all times.

The excrement of your dog must be picked up on trails and at lodging sites. Plastic bags containing excrement must never be hung on trees or left on trails. They must be kept during the hike and disposed of properly.

A dog displaying aggressive or annoying peace of mind for Vallée Bras-du-Nord users is not tolerated.

Note : A dog owner does not respect one or more of the rules mentioned above will be refused access to the trails and infrastructure of VBN.