Kipawa River

The Kipawa, a magnificent pristine river with pure, clear water, is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, intermediate whitewater kayaking rivers in Eastern Canada. It can be paddled at any flow. At its lowest level, the rapids do not exceed level R III, with the exception of Pete’s Dragon, the three central sills of Hollywood rapid (high technical level, class R IV).

There are no roads, buildings or cottages along its 16 km length, with the exception of the old rest area where the river joins Highway 101 for a short distance. Its wooded banks are a mix of spruce, pine, balsam fir, maple, birch and cedar. The lower reaches of the Kipawa River are particularly beautiful below the Pont Brisé rapids, where towering white and red pines tower over the cedar fringe closer to shore.

Loons, sawbills and herons are frequently seen between the rapids in the upper section, and ducks along the entire length of the river. In the lower section, where Hollywood rapid empties into Lake Témiscamingue, ospreys, merlins and peregrine falcons have been observed. Occasional sightings of moose, deer, bear and muskrat.