2009 News on the Québec section of the International Appalachian Trail (SIA-Qc), Matane Wildlife Reserve and Matapedia Valley sections:
Matane Wildlife Reserve:
Starting in 2009, it will be possible to cross the wildlife reserve without a tent!
In order to offer lodging in shelters all along this section of the trail, with the goal of reducing the difficulty factor of this section, the SIA-Qc built one 4-walled shelter with a capacity of 4 hikers on each of the 9 campgrounds in the Reserve. This trail section, between the Matapedia Valley and the Parc de la Gaspésie covers a distance of roughly 100 km.
More than 95% of the SIA-Qc now offers shelter-type lodging. As well, hikers can rent bed-and-breakfasts, inns or hotels along various parts of the trail.
Matapedia Valley:
Major maintenance in all parts of the Matapedia Valley section of the trail was done during the last season. A specific sector of the SIA-Qc was rerouted so that hikers can reach the town of Amqui. This allows access to many essential services (food stores, banks, post office, sports stores, pharmacy, etc.) This rerouting also permits hikers to access the town of Amqui’s campground along the lake. As well, we moved the « Camping Les Champs~» campsite to the municipality of Sainte-Marguerite and also created a new campsite in Saint-Vianney with a wood tent platform and an outhouse.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for maps or for details about these changes and new services. www.sia-iat.com
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