Created in April 1937, Gaspésie National Park is the second oldest park in Quebec, and conservation and development are its ultimate objectives. This rich playground for snow lovers is home to breathtaking nature as well as precious and diverse wildlife.

Inside this natural jewel, each river, mountain or place bears a name inherited from Gaspé cultural history. These names tell of the presence of the Micmacs, explorers and scientists or appeal to popular beliefs, fauna and colors.

Discover here the history of the names of some of our majestic mountains.

Mont Blizzard : The blizzard that raged gave birth to Mi’kmaq legends populated by spirits haunting the Chic-Chocs.

Mont Xalibu: This Micmac term means “the animal that draws” and refers to the caribou.

Monts Chic-Chocs: The toponym derives from the Micmac word “sigsôg” meaning steep rocks or impassable walls.

Mont Logan: Sir William Logan, first director of the Geological Survey of Canada, was the first to explore the park’s territory.

Mont Jacques-Cartier: A name adopted on May 7, 1934 to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival in Canada of the explorer Jacques Cartier.

Mont John-A.-Allen: The toponym of the mountain recalls the memory of John Alpheus Allen, an American botanist who participated in expeditions in the territory of the Gaspésie national park.

Mont Joseph-Fortin: Joseph Fortin, residing in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, was a wilderness runner and mountain guide throughout the territory of Gaspésie National Park.

Mont Olivine: It owes its name to the fact that a researcher found olivine near Mount Albert, a greenish-colored ore very rich in magnesium.

Mont Richardson: This toponym commemorates the geologist James Richardson who explored the Gaspé peninsula in 1858 on behalf of the Geological Survey of Canada.

Mont Albert: Named in 1845 in honor of Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, husband of Queen Victoria.

Mont Ernest-Laforce: Joseph-Ernest Laforce settled in Gaspésie in 1900 as a settler and later became deputy minister of colonization.

McGerrigle Mountains: Formerly called the Table Mountains, these mountains were renamed in honor of geologist Harold William McGerrigle. He was recognized for his talent for communicating his knowledge, both to amateur geologists and to his colleagues.

Did you know that…

Two mountain ranges cover the territory of the park: the Chic-Chocs mountains to the west and the McGerrigle mountains to the east.
The highest peak in the park is Mont Jacques-Cartier. Reaching 1,270 meters, it is the second highest mountain in Quebec.