Three hours north of the I91 border crossing at Derby Line, VT is the gateway to 24,000 square miles of Quebec wilderness nearly unparalleled for its variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. The Mauricie region, named after the majestic Saint Maurice River offers up four season adventure for families, groups and individuals. Within its borders you'll find over 17,000 lakes, many inter-connected by rivers and waterways, a million miles of snowmobile and ATV trails and some of the province's most diverse hunting and fishing.

Access to the area is uncomplicated. If you are driving a camper or pulling a snowmobile trailer there is no need to fear getting lost on the streets of Montreal or Quebec. The largest town you pass through is Trois Rivieres (Three Rivers), founded 300 years ago at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence, Saint Maurice and Becancour Rivers. Unless you chose to explore this bustling historic port city by exiting the interstate, Quebec's I55 will have you across the Saint Lawrence and north of the minimal traffic in less than 20 minutes. Here the interstate ends and the two-lane takes you north toward La Tuque and the heart of the Mauricie region.

More than 75 outfitters and adventure providers do business in the territory and spring is all about pike and walleye fishing as well as bear hunting. Because of the area's location between Montreal and Quebec City, it has long been a popular hunting and fishing destination for Canadians but as of recently more and more American sports particularly from our region, venture north for a little cast & blast. This is do in part to an affiliation of about 40 outfitters who make up Nature Mauricie International, a marketing group dedicated to inviting tourists in search of wilderness adventure from the United States and Europe.

While the bear hunting is so good many outfitters guarantee you a shot and the pike and walleye beckon the angler's lures, it is the many other activities that steal the show as spring turns to summer. Campgrounds abound throughout the region; no controversy about ATV's here; so bring the 4 wheeler and ride the seemingly endless trails. Several adventure providers within the region specialize in two to four day wilderness canoe and kayaking trips, while hiking and biking trails offer numerous day trip excursion opportunities.

So much of the appeal of the Mauricie wilderness centers around access and when the Canadian Railroad created it's VIA Rail passenger service from Montreal to Senneterre to La Tuque 20 years ago they made wilderness recreation that much easier. Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts board the train in Montreal with canoes, kayaks, even bikes and head out. Many simply have the conductor stop the train at a predetermined mile marker next to a river or hiking trail only to be picked up days later at a track location downstream.

Perhaps the sport that has taken hold the fastest in recent years is snowmobiling Mauricie's vast network of trails. Many outfitters along the way are open throughout the winter so it is possible to go from outfit to outfit with many excursions going on for days and covering hundreds of miles. Quebec City, Parent and La Tuque are all favorite jump off points for snowmobilers bound for the region's wilderness interior.

Add to all of these activities the charm and diversity of the Quebec culture and it's not difficult to see why more and more of us from the northeast are setting our sights on Quebec's Mauricie wilderness for our next adventure vacation. For specific outfitter information, logistical help with planning a trip or destination suggestions within the Mauricie region contact: Nature Mauricie International at 819-676-8824 or www.naturemauricie.com