Quebec is full of natural and cultural wonders that invite travelers to connect with their environment and their spirituality. Among these gems is the Mini-Compostel de Mégantic, a unique experience inspired by the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostel in Spain. In this blog, I invite you to explore this magnificent region of Quebec, to follow in the footsteps of modern pilgrims and to discover the riches that await you along this journey of serenity and spirituality.
What is the Mini-Compostel of Mégantic?
The Mini-Compostel of Mégantic is an authentic pilgrimage to the heart of Quebec, located in the region of Mégantic, Quebec. It stretches for approximately 200 kilometers, providing walkers with an uplifting spiritual experience. This Quebec route offers a local alternative for pilgrims who wish to have a similar experience without having to cross the ocean.
The route takes you through beautiful landscapes, majestic forests, sparkling lakes and picturesque villages. Each step of the way offers an opportunity to connect with nature, to reflect, to meditate and to refocus on oneself.
Whether you are looking for a deep spiritual experience, or like us for a physical challenge, the Mini-Compostel of Mégantic will surely satisfy you.
Here are some preparation tips
01 Planning and research
Choose your route: Mégantic's mini-Compostel trail includes several routes. Research the different routes and choose the one that best suits your interests, fitness level and length of trip.
Depending on the distance you wish to travel, choose your starting point according to your availability of time, distance, accommodation and your preferences.
Plan your budget taking into account expenses related to accommodation, food. Meals and snacks must be planned for each day. Some accommodations offer box lunch service. Restaurants and convenience stores are not always nearby, when there are any.
02 Physical condition
Start training in advance, the pilgrimage on the way to mini-Compostela can be physically demanding. Prepare yourself by gradually increasing your endurance through regular walks and hikes.
Also think about training with your backpack.
03 Equipment
Invest in a good pair of walking shoes that are suitable for your foot and for walking long distances. Be sure to try and break them enough before you go.
Opt for a backpack that's light but roomy enough to hold your essentials.
Choose hiking clothes that are comfortable and suitable for the weather conditions. Choose breathable and quick-drying fabrics.
Don't forget extra equipment such as a first aid kit, camel back, hat, sun protection, sandals, etc.
My most valuable advice is to stick to the bare minimum! Remember that everything you bring weighs a few things. It is possible to wash your clothes by hand in the sink and dry them overnight.
04 Mind and spirituality
Prepare yourself mentally, a pilgrimage on the way to Compostela can be an enriching experience, but also sometimes difficult. Prepare yourself mentally to overcome the challenges and enjoy every moment of the journey.
Take this opportunity to connect with yourself, meditate, reflect, and refocus on your spiritual goals and aspirations.
Be open, one of the most wonderful aspects of the pilgrimage is the opportunity to meet people and learn more about the history of the Mégantic region. I personally learned a lot, especially about the Zouaves and the immigrants from Franceville.
05 My mini-Compostel
For me, it was a physical challenge in addition to spending time with my best friend. We completed 105.9 km in 5 days, with an average ascent of 405 M per day.
We chose to do Val-Racine in Scotstown (Gite Capharnaüm), Scotstown in La Patrie (Domaine de la Giroux-ette), La Patrie in Notre-Dame-des-bois (Le vaillanbourg), Notre-Dame- des-bois in Piopolis (The inn of the rising sun), Piopolis in Val-Racine.
Remember that each pilgrimage is unique, and you can personalize your experience.
Our itinerary was based on cottages and inns carefully booked in advance according to the distances between them.
Rather chatty on the first day, we quickly got the hang of the latest news and naturally went into meditation mode for the vast majority of the trip, during the walk at least.
Although we were able to keep our original plan, we still had to adjust the route during the trip. Certain rights of passage lost between La Patrie and Notre-Dame-des-bois forced us to review our itinerary. We studied the maps, thought about doing an impossible number of km, considering venturing into questionable trails without GPS, asking for transport for a few km. Tired and sore from our accumulating steps, we decided to go to sleep and see the next day.
It was Pascale, my best friend, who had the idea of changing the route. Rather than going directly to Notre-Dame-des-bois, we took the Trans-Canada Trail and climbed to the Mont-Mégantic visitor center and then returned to Notre-Dame-des-bois.
Well trained and in good shape, I still felt pain related to the pressure points of the bag, the feet and the knee. Luckily no injuries but it was certainly comical to see us walking to dinner.
06 Our favorites
Unsurprisingly, the beauty of the landscapes! The relief of the region offers magnificent panoramic viewpoints during almost the entire journey.
For accommodation, Domaine Lagiroux-ette wins first place with its therapeutic showers, its hearty breakfast, its lunch box service and its warm and friendly service. In second place is the Auberge du soleil levant, particularly for its excellent service, its restaurant, its location and its lunch box service.
Special mention to the Scotstown General Store for the friendly service and the flavor of its sandwiches.
Go there! treat yourself and discover Mégantic via this mini-Compostel.
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