×
×
Key
Put In Put In
Take Out Take Out

Petite Nation *

View Petite Nation in a larger map.
Key
  • Grade: 3
  • Level: 20 to 120 cumecs - usually early summer
  • Gauge: Online
  • Length: 8 km
  • Gradient: 4 m/km
  • Time: 2.5 hours
  • Put In: Track opposite no. 60 on road QC-321 (Cote des Cascades)
  • Take Out: River right just above the Chemin des Cascades/Rang Saint Louis bridge
  • Shuttle: 8 km
  • Character: Some pleasant canyons and chutes
  • References: Quebec Whitewater

The first rapid, Chutes du Portage comes up quite quickly. If you need to inspect, the right bank is OK, but you will be walking through someones garden. In most water levels, run right to avoid a stopper and strainer. The remaining wavetrain is easy. The river splits soon, the left is definitely OK, but the right is probably good as well. Things ease off for a while before another set of rapids above the imposingly named Les Portes de'l Enfer. Nothing to worry about, and there is a flat section before the take out. The bridge is really obvious, but don't miss the takeout as the Chutes de la Petite Nation are a few hundred metres downstream.

To get to the take out; Follow highway 50E from Gatineau about 60 km. After crossing the Petite Nation, take the next exit (signposted Plaisance), and turn left onto Montee Papineau. In 500 m, turn left at the T-intersection onto Chemin des Cascades. Another 400 m brings you to a bridge, park just after it.

To get to the put in; Continue on this road (now Rang Saint Louis) and in 500 m, turn right onto Rang Saint Joseph O. Follow this to the T-junction and turn right onto QC-321. After 600 m, turn right opposite no.60 into a track by some beehives, and follow for 50 m to the river. This is a fire service water supply point, so don't block access! To avoid the first gorge, get on below by turning into no.450 Rang Saint Joseph O and parking on the right. There is a $3/person access charge here.