For hiking near Quebec City, Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier offers trails in the Laurentian Highlands, while Wendake and Lévis make different kinds of day trips from the city. Hotel Motel Le Chateauguay, a three-star Québec City hotel is a base for choosing among these outings by activity and transport details.
- Wendake: a reconstructed Wendat village with guided tours; reservations are mandatory.
- Lévis: take the Québec–Lévis ferry; the crossing takes about 12 minutes.
- Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier: a park in the Laurentian Highlands in the Québec City tourism region.
Choose a day trip by distance and activity
Wendake is the cultural visit, Lévis is the ferry-and-waterfront outing, and Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier is the option for trails. Each offers a distinct reason to leave the city, so start by choosing the main activity rather than trying to combine all three.
For an organized visit with a guide, plan around the Huron Traditional Site’s mandatory reservations. For a river crossing, check the ferry’s current schedule and fare before setting out. If hiking is the priority, look into the park’s access arrangements as well as its trails.
For local transport context, read how to get around Beauport and Québec City.
Wendake for a cultural visit
The Huron Traditional Site in Wendake is a reconstructed Wendat village where you can join a guided tour. Tours take place entirely outdoors, and reservations are mandatory.
The site is open year-round except during the holidays. If an English guided tour is unavailable, self-guided visits with a book are offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dress for the weather, since the visit is outdoors. The site does not allow animals.
The Musée huron-wendat is another cultural stop in Wendake. Its posted hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it advertises half-price tickets after 5 p.m. Hours and admission details can change, so check the official site before you go.
For more on planning a Wendake visit from Beauport, read the visitor guide.
How do you get from Québec to Lévis by ferry?
The Québec–Lévis ferry crosses the St. Lawrence River in about 12 minutes, making the crossing itself part of this waterfront outing. The Lévis Ferry Terminal is at 6001, rue Laurier, Lévis, Québec, G6V 0P5.
Adult foot-passenger fare for ages 16–64 is $4.25. Passengers ages 6–15 pay $2.95, those aged 65 and over pay $3.60, and children ages 0–5 travel free. A vehicle and driver costs $10.20 for drivers ages 16–64 or $9.60 for drivers ages 65 and over, for vehicles up to and including 6.4 metres long.
You can buy tickets on site and pay with cash, Visa, MasterCard or debit. Online ticket purchases are unavailable until further notice. The service is partially accessible; review current schedules and fares with the ferry operator before travelling.
Jacques-Cartier National Park for trails
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier is in the Laurentian Highlands, within the Québec City tourism region. It is the trip to choose when you want to focus on hiking and time outdoors.
Park transport schedules can affect how you plan a trail outing. The park’s published transport information includes stops at Lac aux Américains and the Jacques-Cartier trailhead, as well as a return from Camping Mont Jacques-Cartier to the Discovery and Services Centre.
Check current park access and transport details before you go, and plan your route around the service available for your visit.
Plan transport and seasonal operations
Check transport schedules and operating details with the relevant operator before committing to a day-trip plan. This is especially important for the ferry’s departure times, the Huron Traditional Site’s tour reservations, and park transport and access.
For Wendake, confirm the tour arrangements and dress for outdoor conditions. For Lévis, check the ferry’s current schedule, fare and payment options. For Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, verify which transport services operate and how they fit your intended trail visit.
FAQs
Do you need a reservation for the Huron Traditional Site?
Yes. Reservations are mandatory for its guided tours.
How long does the Québec–Lévis ferry crossing take?
The approximate crossing time is 12 minutes.
Where is Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier?
The park is in the Laurentian Highlands in the Québec City tourism region.