Mont Grand Morne in catch-up mode

After a day exploring the Beauce region to admire the beauty of the autumn landscape with colleagues, we headed to the Thetford region to watch the sunset from the summit of Mont Grand Morne in Sainte-Clotilde. T’sé, that kind of day when you know when you’re leaving, but not when you’re coming back!

All this to say that we arrive at the base of Mont Grand Morne really late in the day. So much so, that we’re hoping we won’t be late for the sunset when we reach the summit!

The site offers nine trails (totalling 6 km) that circle the mountain and lead to the summit. Slopes range from gentle to steep, and difficulty levels from easy to difficult. Basically, there’s something for everyone.

There are also rest, interpretation, stargazing and wilderness camping areas.

Come on! Up we go.

I’d love to tell you which trails we took for the climb, but honestly, we didn’t pay much attention, I think we just tried to take the shortest route.

However, this is just to say that I’ve rarely done a climb so quickly, as we didn’t want to miss anything of the sunset. I admit, it’s a bit our fault… our day of hunting for autumn colors was pretty busy.

Start of an autumn hike from Mont Grand Morne to Sainte-Clotilde-de-Beauce — ©Start of the ascent of Mont Grand Morne|Stéphanie Allard

Autumn hiking with friends at Mont Grand Morne in Sainte-Clotilde-de-Beauce — ©Autumn hiking at Mont Grand Morne|Stéphanie Allard

Observe a cape rising more than 100 metres high as you climb Mont Grand Morne in Sainte-Clotilde-de-Beauce. — ©Observe a cape over 100 metres high as you climb Mont Grand Morne|Stéphanie Allard

A sense of timing

At the summit, 608 m above sea level, you have a 360-degree view of the entire region, and it’s a thing of beauty! Autumn is just magnificent! What a reward and what a sense of timing!

Oh yes, I don’t know if you knew (you probably do now, with the photo above) but at the summit, hang-gliding and paragliding enthusiasts will find one of the most beautiful starting points. There are also several circuits and trails designed to encourage climbing*.

Everyone was happy to be at the summit, appreciating the effort we’d just made and, above all, the spectacle of the sunset over the grandiose landscape unfolding before us.

Tarnish on the free-flight departure platform at the summit of Mont Grand Morne in Sainte-Clotilde-de-Beauce — ©Tarnish on the free-flight departure platform at the summit of Mont Grand Morne|Stéphanie Allard

Looking northwest from the free-flight departure platform, towards the village of Broughton Station, at the summit of Mont Grand Morne in Sainte-Clotilde-de-Beauce. — ©View north-west from the free-flight departure platform, towards the village of Broughton Station|Stéphanie Allard

Admire the sunset from the lookout atop Mont Grand Morne in Sainte-Clotilde-de-Beauce — ©Admire the sunset from the lookout point atop Mont Grand Morne|Stéphanie Allard

This was the 2nd time I’d climbed Mont Grand Morne, and when I got to the top I wondered why I’d waited so long to come back…

A man watching the sunset from the summit of Mont Grand Morne in Sainte-Clotilde-de-Beauce. — ©A man watching the sunset from the summit of Mont Grand Morne|Stéphanie Allard

On the way back, we took it easy with the Chemin d’accès Sommet… if I remember correctly, but maybe that’s not it either.

That’s what it’s all about!

* Climbing enthusiasts are invited to contact the Fédération québécoise de la montagne et de l’escalade (FQME) on site, as this is an activity that requires supervision for beginners.