La Traversee de Charlevoix

H I S T O R I C

Born in Saint-Urbain in 1930, son of an authentic trapper, Eudore Fortin is the great developer and the soul of La Traversée de Charlevoix. He has always lived near the Grands-Jardins park and knows every single innermost recess of it. His ancestors have passed him their love of well-done work and love of nature.

In May 1977, with the help of the Fédération québécoise de la montagne, Eudore built the first log cabin reacheable by a network of trails leading to the climbing rock faces of the area. In fall 1978, after several field trips with topographic maps, the project of a long trail for back-country skiing was born. Indeed, the particular relief of the hinterland went along with the practice of this sport, a non-existing activity in Quebec at that time.

Our relentless worker has explored the territory, choped down trees, cleared up the land and built the picturesque cabins along the trail. Several months of concerted efforts and important works were necessary for the dream to come true.

The trail was finally cleared on 106 km, trackset all the way, bridges were erected over the many streams and rivers of the territory and six log cabins were built and could then welcome groups of skiers who wanted to live the trekking, known today as one of the greatest outdoor experience in Quebec.

After more than a dozen years of active work in this project, the Fédération québécoise de la montagne let the planning and the organization of the activities on the Traversée to a regional organism: La Traversée de Charlevoix inc., a private non-profit institution whose purposes are to contribute to the development, the maintenance and the administration of the network of trails of La Traversée de Charlevoix and whose President today is Eudore Fortin.

See: Construction of the cottages.

In 1991, the organism proceeded to the building of six log cottages following a Scandinavian technique that uses no nails. (see: Construction of the cottages). Larger than the log cabins, these cottages increase the total lodging capacity to one hundred and forty persons. The cottages are equipped with wood stove, propane lighting, convenient furniture and are always located near drinking water facilities.

Furthermore, several works have made the trail accessible for hiking and mountain biking.

Over the last years, la Traversée de Charlevoix has become even more accessible and safer with its new package: the Super Deluxe Traversée which includes the fees for the use of the trail, lodging, luggage and food transportation as well as car transfer from the departure point to the arrival. The service of a professional guide and meal services are also available upon request. ---
Le Dôme Cottage

On July 25 th 1997, the cottage le Dôme was inaugurated, replacing the one that had burned down during the forest fires of 1991. The cottage can accomodate twenty people. Eudore and his team are now preparing the opening of new itineraries on the summits departing from the cottage to provide less experienced hikers with trails linking the departure point of la Traversée de Charlevoix to the trails of mont du Lac des Cygnes, mont Dôme, mont du lac à l'Empêche and mont Du Four.

On May 17 1998, the famous Traversée de Charlevoix has become an integral part of the National trail in Québec (See: News section).

Eudore still has many other projects for the future. His remarkable contribution to the outdoor and adventure tourism has won him the prestigious title of "Tourist personality of the year" at the Grands Prix du Tourisme de Charlevoix in 1998.

Recently, la Traversée de Charlevoix won the national Silver Award - Outdoor and adventure tourism, less than 10 000 visitors - at the Grands Prix du Tourisme québécois 2001.

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Also read:
A hard fight against major forest industrialists

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