Chic-Choc Mountains

Chic-Choc Mountains are a subrange on the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec and form part of the broader Notre Dame Mountains within the Appalachian chain. The range is noted for steep, rugged terrain and alpine environments at higher elevations.

The area attracts hikers, backcountry skiers and snowmobilers because of steep slopes, deep snow and long winter seasons; it also supports alpine tundra habitats and boreal forests. Mont Jacques-Cartier, at 1,268 metres, is the range’s highest and most visited summit.

The Chic-Chocs developed as part of the Appalachian orogeny and have long been recognized for their distinctive rounded ridges and glacially-scoured valleys. Conservation units such as Gaspésie National Park protect significant portions of the higher elevations and their ecosystems.

Geographically the Chic-Chocs sit in eastern Quebec’s Gaspésie region, projecting into the Gulf of St. Lawrence; the range is accessed from nearby coastal towns and park gateways on the peninsula.

• Geological context: Forms part of the Notre Dame Mountains, themselves an extension of the Appalachian chain running through the Gaspé Peninsula of eastern Quebec.
• Recreation: Receives heavy snowfall and hosts alpine tundra above the treeline; popular activities include backcountry skiing, snowmobiling and summer hiking on steep, rugged terrain.

What to See #

• Mont Jacques-Cartier: The range's highest and best-known summit at 1,268 metres, located within Gaspésie National Park and prominent for alpine tundra and panoramic views.