Rock Climbing

The cliffs along the Rivière du Nord south of Val-David are one of Quebec's most popular rock climbing areas, with routes ranging from beginner slabs to serious technical faces. The rock is Laurentian gneiss — rough, reliable, and well-suited to both face climbing and crack work. The main sectors are within walking distance of the village, making this one of the more accessible climbing destinations in eastern Canada.

More than 300 routes have been established, spread across several cliffs of varying character and aspect. A local climbing shop in the village rents gear and sells guidebooks, and guides are available for beginners. The season runs from late May through October; the rock dries quickly after rain and the cliffs face multiple directions, so there is usually somewhere to climb regardless of conditions.

things to do
A story
Val-David became a climbing destination in the 1960s when Montréal climbers looking for routes closer to the city discovered that the Laurentian gneiss along the Rivière du Nord offered excellent friction climbing. The area has been systematically developed since then, and several local climbers have become important figures in Canadian technical climbing history.