The Coulonge River flows through classic Canadian Shield scenery, dropping nearly 700 feet as it cascades over a series of thunderous waterfalls and wanders through runable rock-studded rapids.

When the earth cooled 300 million years ago, faults scored huge channels into the rock of the Laurentians. The Coulonge River runs through one of these faults. Geographically, it’s a very diverse river with a number of exciting chutes and waterfalls laid out in a valley through the beautiful Laurentian forests.

There are up to 19 portages on the river. Most of them are relatively short- around waterfalls. The Coulonge is famous for its sand beach campsites and is an ideal group and instructional river.

As the Coulonge River offers almost 250 km of paddling, your choice of put-in and take-out will be determined by your available time and trip preferences.

There are access roads that will lead to a number of put-in options. Guide books and maps are available to help make your plans. Paddlers can fly-in to a number of starting points from the Rapides des Joachim airbase.

Bus from Montreal to Domaines (Parc de la verendryes) 5h: 1717 Avenue Berry close to Berry metro station

Navette from Camping Verenderye to Lac Pomponne (2h) 285 Ca dollars for 5 people

From Lac Pomponne, on the edge of La Verendrye Park, down to Grande Chute is a 250 km shuttle. There are several other put-ins available.

At Coulonge Chutes (aka Grande Chute) near Fort-Coulonge. There are many take-out options but most trips end above Chutes Coulonge or in the town of Fort-Coulonge.

This trip can be run from a number

of starting locations:

Description: Whitewater/Flatwater

Ratings: Class 2 to 3

Season: May to October

Wildlife:

• Moose
• Black bear
• Fox and mink
• Otter
• Beaver
• Turtles