Mount Richardson

This round trip to the summit of Mount Richardson is a well-kept secret in Gaspésie National Park, and a major challenge even for seasoned hikers. Perched at an altitude of 1180 metres, Mount Richardson is part of the McGerrigle massif, which is made up of numerous peaks, including the highest in Quebec. From the parking lot, a steady climb leads to a taiga-like plateau. The trail descends slightly after the intersection with Mont Joseph-Fortin, then rises again until you reach your destination. The rocky summit offers breathtaking 360° views.

The advanced trail has a vertical drop of 800 metres and is linear. The round trip covers 11.5 km and takes around 6 hours. A park ranger can accompany you (fee payable). Dogs on leashes are prohibited.

The mountain’s name commemorates geologist James Richardson (1810-1883), who explored the Gaspé Peninsula in 1858 on behalf of the Geological Survey of Canada. He enriched the collection with mineral specimens and introduced photography to geological exploration. The name appeared on a geological map in 1925.

Commission de toponymie du Québec

Access

Parking and trail access are on Route 160 in the park, accessible via Route 16, 1 km south of Gîte du Mont-Albert. Road signs indicate the route. There are 15 parking spaces. It is included in the access fee. Access is available for three seasons only, from mid-May to mid-October; the parking lot is not cleared of snow in winter.

The parking lot also provides access to the Mont-Joseph-Fortin trail. An intermediate/advanced 11 km round trip with a 500 m vertical drop.