1. Who owns La Traversée de Charlevoix?

• La Traversée de Charlevoix is a non-profit organization. There are no profit for a unique owner. All the money earned has to be reinvested in the trails, cottages, cabins and material organization for customer service. Technically, it is managed by a board of administrators, all volunteers, a president and a general director.

2. What are the sources of financing for La Traversée de Charlevoix?

• The most important source of financing comes from the users of the trail, either for the long trek or the short hikes. Cottage and cabin rental is the most important source of income. Voluntary contribution for those who use the trail only is also crucial for the survival of the organization.
  
• Some subsidies from the MRC or different levels of government are also obtained for the development of trails, but there is no money given for the maintenance of the trails. That is the reason why donations or contribution from our Club des Amis are most welcome.
  

3. Why there is no official fee for the use of the short trails?

4. How many people work at La Traversée?

• Two person work full time. The President (volunteer) and the general director. In summer, the number varies depending on the projects going on. In winter, some people work occasionally. Note that the President has been working as a volunteer for the last 30 years! Yes, 30 years!

5. What is the Club des Amis for?

• see our specific page

RESTRICTIONS

1. Is it possible to do only part of La Traversée?

• Yes, in summer, it is possible to hike the first 4 days and the get off at Park des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie where you car can be transferred.
• In winter, it is possible to ski the first 3 days then come back on your step and get off at the emergency exit located on the map, between day 2 and day 3) to Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs. Cars can also be transferred at the exit.
• Early birds can combine day 1 and 2 and get to the second cabin or cottage after a 20km hike approximately.

2. Are dogs allowed on the trail?

• It is possible to do the 3 first days and come back on your step to the emergency exit located on the map between day 2 and day 3, to Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs thus avoiding to enter park des Hautes-Gorges where domestic animals are not allowed.

3. Why camping is not allowed along the trail and the use of cabins or cottages is compulsory?

• No camping is allowed because the access rights we have with different owners of the territory do not permit it. It is thus necessary to rent the cabins or the cottages.

FORMULAS

1. Is it possible to chose the de luxe formula if we are only two people?

• The de luxe formula is offered to groups only because the cost of each transportation of luggage and food is shared by the group. As we have to drive 1 200 km to provide this service (600 with a pick-up and 600 on a snowmobile in winter) , the cost would be too expensive for 2. It is convenient to be more numerous (ici en français c’est écrit …le plus nombreux possible avec 3 s) to reduce the cost. Everyone organizes its own group. Sometimes a group is looking for more people to join them, in that case we try to match people if the date are convenient for everyone. (look at the section “Looking for partners”)

I Locomotion and transport

1. Why is it highly recommended to use skins for the backcountry trek?

• The trek is very demanding. The trail is not mechanically track set , the ascents are frequent and downhill very steep. Opening the trail is no easy job in heavy snow! Skins prove to be very useful then, because of the several possibilities (en français il manqué 2 s à possibilities) they offer especially when the trail is abrupt, even with a small backpack. Many of the skiers who preferred to ski without them confessed, at the end of the trail, that they missed skins a lot. That explains why we believe this equipment is worth buying or renting.

2. Why snowshoeing is not allowed on the main trail (105 km)?

• It used to be allowed but there were so many problems that we had to stop the option.
  
• Days are long and difficult with snowshoes. Some days distances are over 20 km, it is too long with snowshoe while average with skis. Many people had to abandoned because it was too hard and it was sometimes difficult to rescue them. Moreover, the prints (holes) left by snowshoes are dangerous for skiers.

3. Why the mountain bike trek has to be done in group only?

• For security reason mainly. The mountain bike trek is considered as one of the most difficult in Québec: the ascents, the downhill sections, mud, the need to carry the bike on one’s shoulder sometimes, make it a demanding experience. In those conditions, everyone has to help each other, so the group is important, and so is the service of luggage transportation from cottage to cottage.

4. How is the price for luggage transportation calculated?

• We have to drive 1 200 km to provide this service (600 with a pick-up and 600 on a snowmobile in winter), that is to get to each cottage twice (to bring the luggage and to take it back next day for the next cottage). There is no parallel trail for that, no road alongside. We have to take forestry roads, small winding roads etc. We need a pick-up, a trailer, a quad or a snowmobile, in good order as we drive through the mud or heavy snow. In winter, it takes a full day to ensure the service, for larger groups, two workers have to go. It is not a profitable service, it is something we accept to do so more people can enjoy a long trek they would not do if not.
  

5. Why is luggage transportation compulsory for the biking trek?

• This activity is very demanding, as a matter of fact it is extreme. Bikers sometimes have to take their bike on their shoulder. It would be too dangerous to wear a backpack. It is too easy to lose balance. We thus ensure the luggage arrive well to the cottage.

6. Why is the “de luxe formula” not available for those who prefer to use the cabins?

• Only because some cabins cannot be reached with any vehicule, or because we don’t want to use the same trail as the hikers with a motorized vehicule , in order to protect the environment. The cottages can be reached, so these are the accommodations available with the “de luxe” formula.

II Security

1. Is a compass necessary?

• The trail is well signed, a compass is not necessary. Some people like to use one or a GPS to see their progression, but it is not compulsory.
  

III Equipment

1. What is the suggested equipement for the 105 km trek ?

• See list

2. What is the equipment in the cottages and the cabins?

• See list

3. Is there any drinkable water in the cabins and the cottages or along the trail?

• There is no running water in the cottages or the cabins, but all of them are located near a lake, a river, a stream. There are numerous streams along the trail. We highly recommend water treatment, either using a filter or specific treatment products (Pristine, Micropur) or boiling water for 10 minutes.
  
• With the “de luxe “ formula, we bring drinkable water every day along with your luggage and your food.