Forillon National Park: Seals, Hiking and the End of the Appalachians

Forillon National Park occupies the easternmost tip of the Gaspésie peninsula, where the Appalachian Mountains finally run out of continent and drop their last ridges into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This is not a metaphor — the Sentier International des Appalaches, the trail that begins in Alabama and runs the length of the eastern mountain chain through the United States and into Canada, ends (or begins, depending on your direction) here at Cap Gaspé. The trail’s northern terminus is also Forillon’s most striking viewpoint: a headland where the land ends in a lighthouse above 200 metres of open Gulf.

The park covers 244 square kilometres of coastal forest, dramatic cliff faces, and sheltered beaches. It was established in 1970 and the area was cleared of its inhabitants at the time — a displacement that remains a source of tension and official acknowledgment, with the restored settlement of Grande-Grave now serving as both a heritage site and an implicit recognition that the park’s human history did not begin with Parks Canada. The wildlife experience here — seals on the rocks, whales offshore, black bears in the forest, harbour porpoises in the bays — is among the most varied in any national park east of the Rockies.

Cap-Bon-Ami: the defining landscape

The signature view in Forillon is from Cap-Bon-Ami, where vertical limestone cliffs drop approximately 200 metres from the forested plateau to the Gulf. The cliffs face southeast, which means morning light hits them hard and the sea below catches the sun in a way that makes the water colour shift from blue-green to deep blue depending on depth. The breeding kittiwakes and murres on the ledges below add the characteristic sound of the cliff face from spring through summer.

The viewpoint at Cap-Bon-Ami is reached by a short walk from the parking area, making it accessible to most visitors. The full cliff walk in this area extends the experience considerably; the trail along the cliff tops allows you to watch seabirds in their element — kittiwakes hanging on updrafts at eye level, murres diving straight into the water from ledges below.

Humpback whales and fin whales feed in the Gulf waters visible from these cliffs in summer. The height advantage makes spotting easier than from beach level; binoculars are useful. The whales are not as reliably close as in Tadoussac, but sightings are common enough through July and August that patience on the cliff top is frequently rewarded.

Seals: the most reliable wildlife encounter

Harbour seals and grey seals haul out on the rocky points and islands within the park throughout the season. The seals are essentially permanent residents — they feed in the rich Gulf waters and use the exposed rocks for resting and thermoregulation. Seal-watching is most productive from the headlands and from the beaches in the northern portion of the park, where isolated rock exposures close to shore allow good views.

The park’s structured seal-watching experiences involve walking trails that lead to cliff-top viewpoints above seal haul-out areas. Park staff offer scheduled interpretation programs during peak season that explain the difference between the two species, the annual cycle, and the remarkable biology of marine mammals that spend time on both land and sea.

Grey seals are larger (up to 300 kg for adult males) and have a distinctly horse-like facial profile compared to the more rounded, dog-like harbour seal face. Both species are highly vocal on the rocks — the competitive grunts and honks of males defending haul-out positions, and the more musical cries of mothers and pups in whelping season — and the social activity on a busy seal rock is surprisingly theatrical.

Hiking trails

Forillon has approximately 80 kilometres of maintained trails, ranging from short accessible walks to multi-day backcountry routes.

Sentier International des Appalaches to Cap Gaspé: 16 kilometres return from the Les Forges trailhead, this is the park’s signature hike and one of the most rewarding day hikes in Quebec. The trail traverses the northern forested ridge, eventually reaching the lighthouse at Cap Gaspé — the northernmost point of the Appalachian Trail system. The last kilometre above the treeline offers open views in all directions, with the Gulf to the north and east and the Percé headlands visible to the south on clear days.

Sentier de la Chute: A 4-kilometre return trail to a waterfall in the park’s northern section, crossing through mature boreal forest with a good probability of bear signs (scat, claw marks on trees) though actual sightings are less common.

Sentier Les Lacs: A longer day hike (14 km return) in the southern portion of the park, climbing to two small lakes in the interior plateau with views back toward the coast. The forest here is denser and less visited, with better moose habitat than the coastal trails.

Sentier de la Vallée: An easier 7-kilometre loop in the valley between the two coastal sections of the park, suitable for families and those looking for a less strenuous option with good forest bird activity.

Backcountry camping: The park has backcountry campsites that allow multi-day traverses. A permit is required and sites must be booked in advance through Parks Canada. The northern section traverse combining the Appalachian Trail with coastal camping is the best of the multi-day options.

Book Quebec national park and nature tours on GetYourGuide

Grande-Grave: the historic settlement

The fishing village of Grande-Grave at the base of the peninsula’s southern coast was occupied by cod-fishing families — primarily of Norman and Jersey origin — from the 17th century until the park’s establishment in 1970. Several original buildings survive and have been restored to their early-20th-century appearance as a national historic site within the park.

The Hyman General Store (a Jersey merchant firm that operated the classic company store system in which fishermen were paid in credit rather than cash) has been restored with period goods and accounting records. The adjacent fishing stages show the equipment and process of inshore cod fishing at its height. Interpretive staff in period costume operate the site in summer, and their knowledgeable but unscripted conversations about the lives of the families who lived here are genuinely informative.

The displacement of the Grande-Grave community for the park — roughly 225 people asked to leave — is acknowledged in the interpretation now in a way it wasn’t for the park’s first two decades. The contrast between the heritage site and the circumstances of the community’s removal makes for a more honest visit than the purely celebratory narrative Parks Canada once presented.

Wildlife beyond the coast

The forest interior of Forillon supports significant black bear populations. Bears are regularly seen on trails and at forest edges in the early morning and evening. They are accustomed to human activity (the park has been established for 55 years) and not typically aggressive, but the usual guidelines apply: noise while hiking, food properly stored, distance maintained. A bear sighting on the Sentier International des Appalaches is more rule than exception for those hiking in early morning.

White-tailed deer are common throughout the park. Moose occur in the interior but are less frequently seen than in Parc de la Gaspésie further west in the Chic-Chocs. Coyote and red fox are present and often visible near the campgrounds.

Bald eagles nest in the park and are regularly seen over the coastal areas. The peregrine falcon has recovered its population in Gaspésie and uses the Forillon cliffs for nesting sites. Ravens are permanent residents and conspicuously intelligent presences throughout the park.

Practical information

Entry: The standard Parks Canada entry fee applies to Forillon. Passes can be purchased at the park gate or in advance online. An annual Discovery Pass covering all Parks Canada sites is good value for visitors planning multiple parks.

Campgrounds: Forillon has three campgrounds — Petit-Gaspé (the main serviced campground with hookup sites), Penouille (by the beach on the south coast), and Des-Rosiers (a smaller, more rustic site near Cap-Bon-Ami). Reserve in advance for July and August.

Season: The park is open year-round, but services and most facilities operate June–October. Winter is quiet and very cold; snowshoeing trails are maintained in January–March.

Interpretation programs: Parks Canada offers daily guided hikes, evening programs, and seal and whale interpretation events through July and August. The program schedule is posted at the park visitor centre and updated weekly.

Getting to Forillon

Forillon is approximately 30 kilometres north of Gaspé town on Highway 132, and roughly 700 kilometres from Quebec City. The drive from Quebec City takes 7–8 hours. From Percé (the closest major tourist destination), the drive is about 45 minutes.

There is no public transport to Forillon. A car is required.

Where to stay near Forillon

In the park: The campgrounds listed above. Petit-Gaspé is the most practical for those wanting services.

Gaspé town: The nearest urban services, about 30 km from the park entrance. Hotels and motels here serve the park and the broader peninsula area. Budget options are more available than in Percé.

Percé village: 45 km from the park but a much more atmospheric base, with the rock and Île Bonaventure as additional attractions. Worth the slightly longer drive if Percé accommodation is available.

Find Quebec wildlife and outdoor tours on GetYourGuide

Related pages

• Percé Rock — the iconic landmark 45 minutes south
• Île Bonaventure — the gannet colony near Percé
• Gaspésie region overview — planning the full peninsula circuit
• Parc National de la Gaspésie — the Chic-Choc interior highland

Frequently asked questions about Forillon National Park: Seals, Hiking and the End of the Appalachians

Are there bears in Forillon? Yes, black bears are common in the park. Sightings on trails — particularly the interior trails in early morning — are relatively frequent. Follow bear country protocols: make noise, store food properly, maintain distance if you see one.

Can you swim at Forillon? The beaches at Penouille on the south shore are the main swimming area. The Gulf water is cold (15–18°C at peak summer), but families do swim here. The north shore beaches face open water and have more wave action.

Is Forillon suitable for day trips from Percé? Yes, easily. The drive is 45 minutes and a day covering Cap-Bon-Ami viewpoint, a coastal trail, and Grande-Grave historic site is very manageable. Staying in Percé and day-tripping is the standard approach for those doing the peninsula tip area.