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ZEC des Martres is an outdoor recreation area located in the southern part of the Canadian province of Quebec to the north of Quebec City. It contains 10 named mountains, the highest and most prominent of which is Mont du Barbeau (1,098 m/3,602 ft).
ZEC des Martres is a protected area and outdoor recreation destination that’s situated in the southern part of the province of Quebec in Canada. It is located in the Charlevoix-Est regional county municipality (MRC) in the Capitale-Nationale region.
The area’s name des Martres refers to the name of the nearby Lac des Martres, which is the largest lake in the area. The word martre refers to a ‘marten,’ which is a small carnivorous mammal with brown fur that historically lived throughout much of Canada.
Additionally, the area is officially classified as a ZEC (Zone d’exploitation contrôlée/Controlled harvesting zone). This type of protected area was first created in Quebec in 1978 in order to better manage former private hunting, trapping, and fishing lands for public recreational activities.
Most ZECs are non-profit organizations and they are managed by administrators with a number of key objectives in mind. This includes wildlife conservation (hunting and fishing are generally permitted) and outdoor recreation.
There are more than 80 ZECs in Quebec and they are overseen by the Fédération québécoise des gestionnaires de zecs (FQGZ). ZEC des Martres is also part of the Réseau ZEC (ZEC Network) which includes more than 60 other ZECs in Quebec. However, technically speaking, each ZEC, including ZEC des Martres, is its own independent enterprise and the managers of each ZEC make their own regulations and land-use decisions.
ZEC des Martres contains approximately 424 sq. km (164 sq. mi) of land. It is situated within driving distance of a number of major outdoor recreation areas in and around the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec.
For example, ZEC des Martres is located to the north of Réserve faunique des Laurentides and Parc national des Grands-Jardins as well as to the west of ZEC du Lac-au-Sable. It’s also situated to the south of Réserve écologique des Grands-Ormes and Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie. The ZEC is also located to the east of Réserve écologique Thomas-Fortin.
Geologically, the mountains in ZEC des Martres are, like the rest of the surrounding area, part of the Laurentian Mountains (Laurentides). The Laurentian Mountains are a chain of peaks that stretches from southeastern Labrador all the way south along the north coast of the Saint Lawrence River to southern Quebec.
Much of the area that encompasses the ZEC and the Laurentides as a whole is underlain by the Canadian Shield. The Canadian Shield is a huge area of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rock that forms the core of what’s called the North American Craton. Additionally, the Canadian Shield is located throughout a large part of northern and eastern Canada as well as Greenland and the northern US.
Interestingly, the Laurentian Mountains are among the oldest mountain ranges that still exist on Earth. While the rocks in the Laurentides are primarily Precambrian in age, the peaks themselves mostly formed during the Grenville orogeny.
The Grenville orogeny was a mountain building event that took place during the Mesoproterozoic (1.6 to 1 billion years ago). This orogeny helped to create a huge collection of peaks that connects Scotland and southern Mexico and everything in between.
Some of the major peaks in ZEC des Martres include Mont du Barbeau, Mont Dufor, Mont des Perdrix, Mont Eudore-Fortin, and Mont du Gros Castor.
That said, ZEC des Martres is arguably best known, not for its mountains, but for its many lakes and rivers.
The ZEC contains parts of the Malbaie, Chouinard, Porc-Épic, des Érables, and du Gouffre rivers. It also contains dozens of lakes and ponds, including des Américains, Lunettes, Barley, and Caribou. However, the most famous lake in the ZEC is easily its namesake, Lac des Martres.
The ecology of ZEC des Martres is very similar to that of the protected areas that surround it. There is a diversity of landscapes found both within and around the ZEC, including a range of habitats that vary based on elevation and aspect.
At lower elevations, dense forests of balsam fir and black spruce are common. Other relatively common tree species include larches, aspen, white birch, yellow birch, and jack pine. As is the case with other nearby areas, the higher elevation zones of the ZEC are home to patches of moss and heather.
Wildlife in ZEC des Martres is particularly diverse. The region as a whole is home to notable large mammals like black bears, caribou, Canada lynx, moose, mountain lions, and beavers.
However, the most famous species in the ZEC is likely its namesake and emblem, the marten (le martre).
ZEC des Martres is not the only place in Quebec to be named after the marten, but it is one of the most notable. The ZEC got its name from Lac des Martres, which was named for the marten. The marten was heavily trapped throughout the height of the fur trade in North America.
Furthermore, the ZEC’s waterways are home to many species of fish. Some of the most noteworthy are the brook trout, Arctic char, and Atlantic salmon, all of which can be caught by anglers in the ZEC (as allowed by local regulations).
The land in and around ZEC des Martres has been home to humans for thousands of years. In particular, the region is part of the traditional territory and ancestral homelands of a number of First Nations including the Nation Huronne-Wendat and the Atikamekw First Nations.
People of European descent first started arriving in the region around the ZEC during the sixteenth century. In particular, the greater cultural Charlevoix region was first visited by Jacques Cartier in the 1530s, but it’s unlikely that Cartier and his crew made it as far inland as the ZEC itself.
French colonists settled around what is now Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie to the south of the ZEC in the seventeenth century. During the French and Indian War (part of the Seven Year’s War), colonial control of the region shifted from France to Britain.
During the eighteenth through nineteenth centuries, the region was particularly profitable for logging companies. Other industries, including dairy farming and shipbuilding, also became relatively prominent in the region around this same time, but they never dominated the area’s overall economy.
However, with the arrival of the twentieth century came an influx of tourists to the Charlevoix region, including around the modern ZEC des Martres. In fact, William Howard Taft, a future president of the US, once owned a summer residence in the Charlevoix region around La Malbaie. Soon afterward, the region became home to a number of luxury hotels and resorts.
This tradition of tourism continued throughout the twentieth century and it exists to this day. However, in 1977, the Government of Quebec decided that it no longer wanted to renew the hunting and fishing leases that were given to private hunting clubs in the province.
This decision eventually led to the creation of the many ZECs that currently exist in Quebec, including the ZEC des Martres. In 1988, ZEC des Martres also became part of the larger UNESCO Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve.
Much of ZEC des Martres is quite remote, but there are a few maintained trails for hikers to enjoy. These include:
Additionally, the ZEC is home to the Sentier des Falaises (Cliff Trail), which is technically a mountain biking trail. It’s generally only open to the public though it may be closed for repairs or trail maintenance. Check the ZEC des Martres website (in French only) for the most up-to-date information about the trail and its opening status.
In addition to hiking, ZEC des Martres offers plenty of other great activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the other activities that you can enjoy in the ZEC include:
Any trip to ZEC des Martres is sure to be an exciting adventure. Here are some key things to keep in mind before leaving home for your outing to the ZEC.
All visitors to ZEC des Martres must pay an entrance fee in order to hike, camp, paddle, or otherwise travel through the area. The park maintains a list of its current entrance fees (in French only), so that’s the most reliable source if you want an idea of the current prices.
Keep in mind that the ZEC charges fees both for entrance to the area and for certain activities, such as hunting and fishing. There are also separate fees if you want to rent any equipment.
That said, ZEC des Martres generally offers both daily entrance passes and annual passes. If you plan to spend more than a couple of days in the ZEC in a single year, it’s usually more cost-effective to get an annual pass.
ZEC des Martres is relatively easy to get to from most of the region’s major cities. The ZEC is just over 1.5 hours away from Quebec City by car and it’s just under 1.5 hours away from Saguenay by road, too.
The main access road to ZEC des Martres is Route 381, which connects Baie-Saint-Paul and Saguenay. However, the roads in the ZEC aren’t always maintained during the winter months. Always double-check the current road conditions (in French only) in the ZEC before leaving home.
ZEC des Martres is home to a number of visitor and registration centers. These include:
Also keep in mind that you can pay for your entrance fees using ZEC des Martres’ online visitors center. Online, you can register for your stay and pay your fees, which is helpful if your travels won’t take you near one of the ZEC’s visitor centers.
If you’re looking to spend the night in ZEC des Martres, you have plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Here’s what you need to know about camping and lodging in the ZEC.
Car and tent camping is allowed throughout ZEC des Martres. However, there are no designated campsites so everything is first come, first served. You also won’t find any amenities, like potable water and fire pits, in the ZEC, so all campers in the area need to be fully self-sufficient before they embark on their adventures.
You can generally camp wherever you’d like in ZEC des Martres, with a few exceptions. For example, you can’t camp right on a trail, at a lake’s boat launch, or on the grounds of La chalet de la Cheminée.
That said, the ZEC maintains a list of some of the most popular campsites in the area, so you can do some research to figure out what locations are best for your adventuring needs.
ZEC des Martres currently offers one rustic lodge for visitors who want to spend the night in the area. The lodge is called Le chalet de la Cheminée and it’s located near Lac Barley. It can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 8 people and it offers everything from solar electricity and a full kitchen to bathrooms with showers.
You can make reservations for La Cheminée by calling the ZEC’s management team directly. The lodge offers weekday and weekend rates as well as discounts for stays longer than one week. You generally have to make a 50 percent deposit to hold your reservation at the lodge, but you can get the most up-to-date information by calling the ZEC and inquiring about its accommodation options.
Looking for a place to stay near ZEC des Martres? Here are some of the best cities and towns nearby that you can check out during your next trip to the region.
The town of La Malbaie is located to the east of ZEC des Martres along the coast of the Saint Lawrence River. It is home to about 8,200 people and it is one of the main commerce centers in the region.
La Malbaie was one of the earliest European-established settlements in Quebec. It was visited by Samuel de Champlain of France in 1605, though de Champlain never found a good anchorage in the bay so he called it Malle Baye, which is old French for ‘bad bay.’ The town was later established as a settlement in 1688.
Nowadays, La Malbaie is perhaps best known for its exceptional scenery, great watersports opportunities, and historic buildings. The town is also home to a museum and it’s just a short distance away from the Mont Grands-Fonds ski hill.
Baie-Saint-Paul is a city that’s located to the south of ZEC des Martres along the Saint Lawrence River. The city is home to about 7,000 residents and it is the seat of the Charlevoix Regional County Municipality (MRC).
These days, Baie-Saint-Paul is a relatively popular tourist destination, thanks to its proximity to Quebec City. It is also located within driving distance of, not only ZEC des Martres, but also Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie and Parc national des Grands-Jardins. The ski area Le Massif de Charlevoix is also situated just a short drive from Baie-Saint-Paul.
Quebec City is the second-largest city in the province of Quebec as well as the provincial Capital. It is located just over an hour and a half to the south of ZEC des Martres by car, so it’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for a mix of both urban and outdoor adventures during your trip.
Additionally, Quebec City is a worthy tourist destination in its own right thanks to its extensive history, fantastic architecture, and wonderful cultural attractions. The city is also home to an international airport and it has good road, rail, and bus links to other major cities in Canada and the US.
Explore ZEC des Martres with the PeakVisor 3D Map and identify its summits.
