The National Trail in Québec, when completed, will cover 1000 km, from Ontario to New-Brunswick. It will mainly run along wild territories, coming close to civilization only for resupplying and lodging.

As with all great projects, this one first germinates in the mind of some enthusiasts. The idea was to bring together and involve lovers of hiking into a joint challenge: to realize a continuous hiking trail that would link the Atlantic coast to the Pacific, meaning some 10 000 km.

At Douglas Campbell's instigation, from the Canadian Hiking Association, the Association canadienne du Sentier national (ACSN) (Canadian National Trail Association) was created in 1971. In 1984, the ACSN redefined its national structure, introduced and formed the provincial structures. 

La Fédération québécoise de la marche thus became the official guarantor for Quebec, but the projet only really started several years later thanks to Réal Martel. The "Comité québécois pour le sentier national" was born in January 1990. On October 27 th of the same year a first section of 12 km in Lanaudière (the Matawinie trail) marked out the official birth of the National trail in Québec. 

The first aim of the National trail in Québec is to get a sense of pride from such a venture and to create a real feeling of belonging and solidarity.