B) Via Provincial Highway #109, Amos

ROUTE 109 : Km 133 : Lac PARADIS
On the road to Matagami, make sure to stop at km 133 on Route 109 to view this lake of a very unusual colour. As you will see, the waters of Lac Paradis are a very dark shade of jade green. This is due to copper minerals suspended in the water and the lake bottom.

KM 157 : CARTWRIGHT HILLS – scenic viewpoint, picnic area, toilets, public phone and information panel: "The Matagami Esker – Surviving glacial action". You are at the intersection of the access road that formerly led to Joutel, which was one located on the banks of the awesome Harricana river. The hamlet of Joutel was founded in 1965 with the opening of the Poirier min belonging to the company Rio Algom. This locality’s economy was always closely linked to mining. In 1998, when mining activities shut down in the sector, resident gradually, moved away. The remnants of drilling machinery can be examined at this rest area as a commemoration of the short-lived history of Joutel. Schedule : End June to Labour Day. Admission : Free (See Campground page). Tel. : (819) 739-4473.   

ROUTE 109 : Km 157 : JOULAC CAMPGROUND – Rustic campground, toilets.

Km 224 MATAGAMI - Mining and forestry are the principal activities occurring here. Industrial visits may be organized. Don’t forget to fuel up beforehand because the next service station is 381 km away!

Km 224 : Matagami - Don’t forget to fill up with gas before you leave; here are the last 2 gas stations before the KM 381 stop!  

(Fin de la route 109)

BEGINNING OF THE JAMES BAY ROAD (Route de la Baie-James) (paved)

KM 0 : Your James Bay adventure begins here! The James Bay development corporation is the owner of this infrastructure and is responsible for its maintenance.

Km 2 :BELL RIVER - The bridge is the longest on this highway. The Bell river flows into Matagami lake. The northern point of the lake then becomes the Nottaway river which flows up to James Bay.
Hike through nature on a 3.5 km hiking trails in a urban environment. Follow the trail that runs alongside the Bell River and the Chenal rapids and you will reach the observation tower which offers a splendid panoramic view of the city and its surrounding. The trails are accessible on snowshoes in winter.

(819) 739-4566 / www.matagami.com

Matagami Lake Recreational Zone,
James Bay Road, km 2 to km138
The Lake Matagami Recreational Zone offers everything a nature lover would want. It is at the point where two micro continents converge, a spectacular geological phenomenon that experts can appreciate. Also, scars left by the planet’s oldest volcanos can be observed. Glaciers have moved through there, valleys and beautiful sandy beaches have formed where you may linger to enjoy an unspoiled natural environment. Discover the brilliant tapestry of the wildflowers of Lake Matagami and its fascinating wildlife.

Km 6 : JAMES BAY MUNICIPALITY’S TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER – We suggest that you register yourself for security purposes. You may also obtain several interesting informations about the area from our tourist officers. Souvenirs, restrooms, picnic tables, public phone and information panel: "One territory … six seasons". Open 24 hours, all year long.(819) 739-4473.

Km 10 :MOUNT LAURIER – An information panel is located on the highway’s northbound shoulder. This hill is 480m high. You may trek up to its top and enjoy a magnificient view of Matagami’s surroundings. Information panel: "Mont-Laurier – A taste of northern environments".

Km 37 :THE JAMES BAY MUNICIPALITY’S MATAGAMI LAKE CAMPGROUND (2 km) – 76 camping sites, running water, sewerage system, showers, restrooms, community pavillion, boat launching ramp, beach. Open from mid-june to labor day: (819) 739-4473.

Km 38 :WASWANIPI RIVER – Boat launching ramp on the northbound shoulder of the highway. 10 km eastwards from the bridge, is the Chutes Rouges (Red Falls). a spectacular sight!

Km 48 :GOÉLAND (GULL) LAKE ACCESS ROAD (22 km), OLGA LAKE & WASWANIPI RIVER (10 km) – The JBM has a rustic campground on the shore of Waswanipi river (giving access to Olga lake). Picnic tables, toilets, boat launching ramp.

Km 50 :Information panel: "Boosting forest rebirth", on the nortbound shoulder of the highway.

Km 80 :OUESCAPIS LAKE(2,5 km) – Fishing, boat launching ramp, picnic tables, toilets, rustic campground.

Km 88 :Information panel– " Forest activites "

Km 135 :Telebec phone company telephone tower (LOUISE) – EMERGENCY TELEPHONE.

Km 189 :RODAYER LAKE – Rustic campground, picnic tables, toilets, boat launching ramp.

Km 192 Ford fishing. Enjoy other ford fishings sites located at Km 200, 204, 244 , 252, 272, 335, 358, 380

Km 201 :Telebec phone company telephone tower (COLOMB) – EMERGENCY TELEPHONE

Km 232 :BROADBACK RIVER – Information panel, "James Bay the contempory heir of ice ages", picnic area, toilets, scenic viewpoint, pathway.

Km 237 :Access road to Waskaganish – Waskaganish is 110 km westwards (819) 895-8843

Km 247 :Telebec phone company telephone tower (RANDAL) – EMERGENCY TELEPHONE

Km 257 :RUPERT RIVER – Rustic campground boat launching ramp, picnic tables, toilets.

Km 257 :RUPERT RIVER WATERFALL – Information panel: "Lord paramount of the north", picnic area, toilets, scenic viewpoint, pathway. The settlement on the southbound side of the highway is closed to the public.

Km 274 :PASSAGES (transitions) REST AREA and Northern Road intersection. Information panel: "Fire-devastated forests", picnic area, toilets. Lightning caused a forest fire here in 1983.

KM 294 :PONTAX III RIVER – The Pontax name is a transformation of the indian name "Pontacks", a cree trapper who used to live in the area.

Km 297 :PONTAX I RIVER – Forest fire caused by lightning in 1986.

Km 301 :Telebec phone company telephone tower (Pontax) EMERGENCY TELEPHONE.

Km 312 :PONTAX II RIVER

Km 323 :MIRABELLI LAKE (4 km) – Rustic campground, picnic tables, toilets, boat launching ramp.

Km 324 :JOLICOEUR RIVER – You may see a nice waterfall under the bridge.

Km 350 :Access road to Eastmain – Eastmain is 103 km westwards.
(819) 977-0211

Km 372 :LAC DES SAULES (WILLOWS LAKE) – Rustic campground, picnic tables, toilets, boat launching ramp, wharf.

Km 381 :James Bay development corporation rest area (gas, food, lodging) (819) 638-8502

Km 391 :Information panel: "Experimental reforestation techniques for an outstanding road" on the northbound shoulder of the highway.

Km 395 :EASTMAIN RIVER (3 km)– Rustic campground, picnic tables, toilets, scenic viewpoint under the bridge.

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Km 411 : OPINACA RIVER – You may see a nice waterfall under the bridge.

Km 440 : Chaîne de lacs (STRING OF LAKES) – Rustic campground, picnic tables, toilets, boat launching ramp.

Km 444 : Telebec phone company telephone tower (ALINE) – EMERGENCY TELEPHONE

Km 464 : OLD FACTORY RIVER –Picnic tables, toilets, scenic viewpoint. Information panel « Once upon a time… the earth». You will discover one of the biggest pipe (onceau) in the world: 16m wide by 80m long. Big forest fire caused by thunderbolt in 1989 which has gone until Yasinski Lake.

Km 467 : RIVIÈRE VIEUX COMPTOIR (OLD FACTORY RIVER) – Picnic tables, toilets, scenic viewpoint. Information panel: "Once upon a time…the earth".                  

Km 503 : MIRON LAKE – Picnic tables, toilets, boat launching ramp, rustic campground.

Km 504 : Telebec phone company telephone tower (CHANTAL) – EMERGENCY TELEPHONE

Km 512 : Pinède. Take good note of this particular ecosystem. This is a small grey pine forest with, at its foot, a vast carpet of caribou lichen.

Km 518 : Access road to WEMINDJI – Wemindji is 96 km westwards. (819) 978-0264

Km 542 : YASINSKI LAKE – Picnic tables, toilets, scenic viewpoint, information panel. It is the location of one of the most important spawning ground for walleye in Canada.

Km 544 : Transtaïga highway intersection
This road is 688 km long. You are also 286 km away from Nouchimi Outfitters (gas available) and 358 km away from Mirage Outfitters (gas, lodging and food available). In case of emergency, public phones are located at the entrances of Hydro-Québec employees’s homes (LG-3, Keyano, Laforge 1 et Brisay).

Km 561 : CASTOR (BEAVER) RIVER – Picnic tables, toilets.

Km 574 : DUNCAN LAKE (8 km) – Rustic campground, picnic tables, toilets, boat launching ramp.

Km 578 : Information panel: "Lands of lichen", on the northbound shoulder of the highway.

Km 589 : LA GRANDE AIRPORT – Commercial and chartered flights (819) 638-8847.

Km 600 : Access road to LG1 hydroelectrical power plant and CHISASIBI – LG1 is 62 km away and Chisasibi is 84 km away. About 10 km westwards of Chisasibi is James Bay.

Km 617:Radisson pop. 400 Access road to RADISSON

Km 620: Robert Bourassa and LG2A hydroelectrical power plants.
[1 (800) 291-8486 for guided tours]

Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik, pop. 531.
No access from the road.

THE NORTHERN ROAD

A) Via route 167, Lac-Saint-Jean

Entry to James Bay territory through Chibougamau

B) Via route 113, Senneterre

Lebel-sur-Quévillon pop. 3 236

Beach and marina at Lebel-sur-Quévillon
Quévillon Boulevard
Schedule: end June to end Augus. Entrance: free (beach).
Tel.: (819) 755-4826

Miquelon et Desmaraisville pop. 43

Waswanipi pop. 1085

Opémiska camping and beach
Opémiska Lake, via Route 113
This is one of the most popular lakes in the region.
Schedule: June to October. Entrace: low fees for laundromat, showers and lake docking.

Mont Springer
Chemin de la Mine, North of Chapais
This mountain is 538 meters (1,765 feet) above sea level. A well-kept foot path leads to the summit.
Schedule: May to October. Entrance: free.

Lac de la Presqu’île
Chemin du lac Presqu’île, South of Chapais

Circumstancial evidence shows that about 759 years ago, a meteorite hit the Earth at this location, so long ago now that this is difficult to identify today. Nevertheless, the lake’s circular shape seems to suggest that the possibility of a meteorite collision be true.
Schedule: All year. Entrance: free.

Chapais pop. 1800

Route towards Oujé-Bougoumou pop. 650
Gravel road.

(End of Route 113)

(Junction with route 167)

Chibougamau pop. 7 922

Mistissini pop. 3 193

Start of NORTHERN ROAD (gravel)

This gravel road is 424 km long and runs up to Chibougamau. Nemaska is 117 km away. Hydro-Quebec’s Nemiscau electric transformation station is 118 km away.

Km 132 : CHENIAPISCAU rest area, picnic tables, toilets, scenic viewpoint.

Km 162 – Assinica and Mistassini – Albanel faunic reserve
This is the biggest faunic reserve in Québec and is the greatest soft water natural lake in the province. Many trekking and fishing services are available, but you must register at the SÉPAQ office upon arrival.
SÉPAQ, 264, Route 167, C.P. 38, Chibougamau G8P 2K5
Tel.: 1 (800) 665-6527 toll free in Canada and the US
Schedule: SUmmer, 7 am to 7 pm. Entrance fee: contact SÉPAQ.

Km 238 : RUPERT RIVER, picnic tables, toilets, scenic viewpoint.

Km 248 : Hydro Quebec’s Albanel electric power transformation station..

Km 286 : LESCAR HILLS, picnic tables, toilets, scenic viewpoint.

Km 288 : Hydro-Québec’s Nemiscau electric power transformation station.

Km 290 : Cree Construction garage – gazoline available from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sundays.

Km 296 : Acces road to Nemasca (819) 673-2512

Km 381 : BOISROBERT LAKE, rustic campground, picnic tables, toilets, boat launching ramp.

TRANSTAÏGA HIGHWAY

This gravel road is 688 km long. There are emergency telephones in each one of Hydro-Quebec’s settlements.

Km 23 : Telecommunications tower – emergency telephone

Km 56 : SAKAMI LAKE, rustic campground, picnic tables, toilets, boat launching ramp.

Km 59 : SAKAMI water overflow structure – picnic tables, toilets.

Km 62 : ROBERT BOURASSA RESERVOIR, Rustic campground, picnic tables, toilets, scenic viewpoint, boat launching ramp.

Km 100 : Access road to LG3 hydroelectrical power plant (30 km away) and Hydro-Quebec’s Sakami settlement (24 km away).

Km 203 : PONTOIS RIVER, Rustic campground, picnic tables, toilets, boat launching ramp.

Km 286 : CLADONIA LAKE – Cargair hydroplane base (819) 854-4186, Nouchimi Outfitter (819) 855-3373 – gas & fuel available.

Km 292 : La Grande 4 Airport.

Km 307 : KEYANO Hydro-Quebec Settlement access road (1 km away)

Km 308 : Hydro-Quebec’s scenic viewpoint.

Km 311 : Access road to LG4 hydroelectrical power plant (5 km away).

Km 358 : MIRAGE OUTFITTER (819) 339-3150 – gas & fuel available.   

Km 384 : DONAT ASSELIN OUTFITTER (418) 661-0580, winter only.

KM 395 : Access road to LA-1 hydroelectrical power plant (38 km away).

Km 525 : Access road to LA-2 hydroelectrical power plant (6 km away).

Km 582 : BRISAY hydroelectrical power plant.

Km 666 : Duplanter water overflow structure and Caniapiscau reservoir.