The St. Lawrence River may catch your eye first, but the higher ground is what gives Charlevoix another tempo. With two Quebec national parks offering some of the best hikes in Quebec, the region gives hikers and outdoor lovers a lot to play with.

Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park is has a fun twist beyond the trails: you can see part of the valley from the water on the park’s riverboat cruise, a 10 km guided ride along the Malbaie River. You’re in for another surprise with Grands-Jardins National Park, with the Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes lookout offering one of the best views over the Charlevoix meteorite crater.

Then there is Le Massif de Charlevoix, home to Québec Charlevoix Club Med, which shifts summer into a higher gear with mountain biking, more hiking, canyoning, and trail running. For more than your share of adrenaline, this is the spot to be!

Charlevoix, Canada, in summer: River swims, mountain trails, and the kind of trip that resets your whole week