Percé - Pointe Saint-Pierre
Pointe Saint-Pierre, Gaspé Peninsula, QC (Photo by NCC)
Click here to visit pointe Saint-Pierre
Pointe Saint-Pierre forms the easternmost point of the Gaspé Peninsula. Located halfway between the towns of Gaspé and Percé, pointe Saint-Pierre features meadows, forests and 10-metre-high cliffs along the shorelines of the Gaspé coast. These unique ecosystems provide habitat for many different species of mammals and birds.
Located halfway between the large bird colonies of Île Bonaventure and the Forillon Peninsula, and a short distance away from Île Plate, pointe Saint-Pierre enjoys a strategic position in which to observe many species of seabirds. Several species find quality habitats between the rough waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the quieter waters of the Baie de Gaspé and the Barachois de Malbaie. Notably, large flocks of ducks can be found at pointe Saint-Pierre in the spring and fall, including Barrow’s goldeneye and harlequin duck. These at-risk species depend on undisturbed coastal zones for feeding, like those found at pointe Saint-Pierre.
There is no shortage of natural wonders to see and explore in the Gaspé. In fact, in 2011, National Geographic named the region one of the top tourism destinations in the world. Pointe Saint-Pierre is a Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) Nature Destinations, a program that invites Canadians to explore some of the country’s most beautiful natural landscapes. Visit the site to learn more about the natural features of the area and the visitor access guidelines. Pointe Saint-Pierre is located in the UNESCO World Geopark of Percé territory, which stretches from Cap d'Espoir to Fort-Prével.
Pointe Verte
Pointe Verte, QC (Photo by Pierre Veillette)
In the southern part of pointe Saint-Pierre lies another point of land. Covered in dense forest. Pointe Verte’s 30 hectares is one of the few remaining intact coastal forests in this region.
Following the protection of the property by NCC in 2013, a trail was officially opened in the summer of 2018. Interspersed with wooden footbridges, the 1,9-kilomtre trail crisscrosses landscapes of breathtaking beauty. Dubbed “la pointe du paradis” (“paradise point”) by locals, this site offers an exceptional view of the coast and Percé Rock, the most emblematic images of the region.
Thanks to the access infrastructure developed by NCC, it is now possible to take in nature without disturbing species or natural environments. The marked trail effectively limits the trampling of fragile environments and reduces the spread of harmful secondary trails.
Pointe Verte provides habitat for many woodland birds, such as warbler and thrush. Moose, red fox, white-tailed deer and porcupine can also be found here.
A natural partnership
Pointe Verte, Gaspésie, QC (Photo by Mike Dembeck)
Since 2005, NCC and our partners have protected 60 hectares (148 acres) of exceptional natural environments at pointe Saint-Pierre, including Pointe Verte, including more than 2.5 kilometres of coastline.
The protection of pointe Saint-Pierre and the development of the Pointe Verte Trail were made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Canada’s Natural Areas Conservation Program, the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l’environnement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through its North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the Ensemble pour la nature project of the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques du Québec, the Fondation de la faune du Québec, TD Forests program, Wildlife Habitat Canada and Age of Union.
