Via Ferrata Quebec: A Thrilling Day Trip from Quebec City to Canyon Sainte-Anne
Via Ferr-what?!
Via Ferrata is essentially an exhilarating mix of hiking and rock climbing mountain terrain over established ladders, footholds and bridges. Clipped in by a harness and a series of fixed cables, you may find yourself ‘tight-walking’ across an open gorge, scampering up a vertical rock wall or abseiling down the side of a cliff. Via Ferrata Quebec is a thrilling combination of it all!
Via Ferrata Quebec
Located a mere 30 minutes from Quebec City, the via ferrata course at Canyon Sainte-Anne offers a unique installation at the foot of the Sainte Anne waterfall. It was even voted as a ‘Canadian Signature Experience’, meaning of all the activities to try across the nation, this via ferrata course is a must-do during your vacation in Quebec City.
At first glance, the mandatory helmet and series of wires and cables spanning the width of the canyon appear to be intimidating. When our guide Oliver informed us that their course is popular with all age groups, including children 6 years and up, my confidence grows. (“If a 6 year old can do this, so can I — right?!”).
Each course gets progressively more difficult and adrenaline-inducing, taking you up and down rock walls adjacent to the beautiful canyon and waterfall over the course of 1.5-2.0 hours. If you try the full package, you can expect to rappel down the side of a rock cliff, traverse along a wire across the canyon, climb up and down rock walls adjacent to water falls (and rainbows if you are lucky) and even zip-line across the canyon.
There were a few moments when I had my “concerned and concentrated” face on as I plotted my next footsteps along the wet (and questionably slippery) rocks. Thankfully, the attentive and informative Oliver was there every step of the way to guide us through the more tough spots.
My favourite part of the day was the zip line over the canyon and the very last section of the course where we got as close to the thundering waterfalls as possible, getting soaked in the process.
There was even a double rainbow – a photographer’s dream!
What to Wear & Bring?
It is mandatory to wear closed-toe shoes — either sneakers or hiking boots (I’ve been wearing KEEN’s for years and love them!). Wear comfortable athletic clothing that is ideally water resistant. I wore a long-sleeve thermal layer under a light t-shirt and cropped leggings. You might want to also bring a small backpack with sunscreen, water, a snack and a change of clothing in case you get wet! In the colder months, you will want to wear a warm hat, gloves and warm jacket. Definitely pack a camera if you are willing to risk having it on the course (I brought my Gopro hero and clipped the handle to my harness, so it would be safe incase I dropped it).
For your convenience, here is a list of everything you might need.
- Water resistant jacket
- Thermal base layer
- Water resistant pants or insulated pants
- Comfy hiking shoes
- Hiking socks
- Gloves
- Hat
- Buff/ Neck warmer
When to Go?
Note: the Canyon Sainte-Anne is open weather permitting. The via ferrata course is available on weekends from May 5 – June 22nd, every day from June 23rd – Sept.3rd, and weekends from Sept. 4th to Oct. 14th.
If you are interested in adventurous activities, this course is suitable for the whole family and comes highly recommended as a day trip from Quebec City — tried and tested by yours truly! Why not visit the team at Canyon Sainte-Anne to test it out for yourself?!
Where to Stay?
You can easily access the Canyon by car from Quebec City, so I would definitely recommend staying downtown and either renting a car or taking an Uber. There are tons of diverse things to do in Quebec City and options for accommodation in the city, varying from budget hostels or self-catering AirBnb rentals to the grandiose, world-famous Chateau Frontenac!
If you haven’t tried AirBnb yet, now is your chance! Get your FREE $30 credit! or explore all Quebec City hotels.
A special thank you to the folks at Canyon Saint-Anne, Project Vertical and Tourism Quebec for making this tour possible! As always, I only recommend the experiences I have personally tried and loved.
Let me know in the comments below!
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