Le Petit Canada

With its dam, the rocks of the Xaveure, some of which are shaped like animals, its Château de Salm and the little village that bears its name, the Lac de Pierre-Percée offers landscapes with a Canadian flavour.

Details

627807
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.12 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 185 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 178 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 486 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 383 m

Photos

Description of the walk

After following the D182A for a few kilometres, you will arrive at the Lac de Pierre-Percée dam.
Park your car in the dam car park. Enjoy the view of the lake, and a few metres further on, along the road, you'll see a covered area with notice boards and an orientation table.

(S/E) Follow this direction along a red sandy track to reach a footpath 100m further on, to the left of the road, which runs down the side of the lake with yellow circle markings filled in with green (unusual markings). Reach a bench on the edge of the lake.

(1) Admire the ruins of the castle on the other side of the lake. Continue along the shore of the lake to join the path marked with a green disc/red circle.

(2) Take this path on the left; it descends slightly along the lake.
Continue along this path as far as the pier, where you will see that it has been renamed the Sentier du PQ (!).

(3) Cross the pier and continue along the road to find a trailhead on the left.

(4) Head west along this path a little further on, behind the security fence. Continue along the lake until you come to a crossroads at the ruins of the Xaveure.

(5) Follow the forest track to the left and then, 200m further on, take the steps on your right.
Climb this path to reach another forest road 200m further up. Turn left and continue for around 500m to reach the small path (unmarked and slightly obscured by bushes) leading to the Roches de la Xaveure.

(6) Turn right and, after a short, steep climb, admire the rock shaped like an elephant's head 50m higher up and turn right onto the path that runs alongside the rocks.
As you continue along the Roches de la Xaveure, you will also pass the Roche du Guichet.

(7) Continue along this path as far as the forest track and turn right in the direction of Vierge Clarisse to reach the forest hut.

(8) Take the mountain bike path opposite to get back onto the main road 200 m further on. Cross the road to take the forest track opposite and, about fifty metres further down, turn right onto the footpath marked with a green rectangle.

Continue along the right-hand path until you reach Château de Salm.

(9) Visit it and enjoy the lovely view over the lake. Take the path to the left of the castle, heading south towards the village of Pierre-Percée.

(10) Go through the village to join the "Croix Rouge" forest track opposite where you came from. Leave a water tank on your left and continue as far as the three-way junction.

(11) Continue along the left-hand track, then come to a new crossroads at a right angle.

(12) Turn right onto a footpath and head back down towards the main road and your starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 391 m - Parking du barrage du - Lac de Pierre-Percée
  2. 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 391 m - Bench / Rest
  3. 2 : km 1.32 - alt. 391 m - Turning left
  4. 3 : km 2.28 - alt. 387 m - PQ Trail
  5. 4 : km 2.72 - alt. 400 m - Path on the left
  6. 5 : km 4.6 - alt. 391 m - Ruins of the Xaveure, left
  7. 6 : km 5.35 - alt. 413 m - Small path on the right
  8. 7 : km 6.29 - alt. 456 m - Roche du Guichet
  9. 8 : km 7.06 - alt. 470 m - Forest hut, mountain bike trail opposite towards the - Col de la Vierge Clarisse (493m)
  10. 9 : km 9.15 - alt. 474 m - To and from - Château de Salm
  11. 10 : km 9.75 - alt. 429 m - Fountain
  12. 11 : km 10.44 - alt. 467 m - Three-way junction, left
  13. 12 : km 11.41 - alt. 463 m - Crossroads, right, blue circle markings
  14. S/E : km 12.12 - alt. 390 m - Dam car park

Notes

(1) Bench for resting
(3) The pier is used as a car park for motorhomes in fine weather.
(11) Water point and shelter in the village.

Beware of children and animals on the ruins of Château de Salm, some parts are more or less secure.

Worth a visit

Many water sports, aerial activities and much more around the lake.
The link to discover this wonderful site: here

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 137 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Jacques kronberger
Jacques kronberger

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to do with the family.

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giraud alain
giraud alain

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We wanted to show our loved ones these landscapes reminiscent of Canada.
We did half the route on 1 November because there was hunting around Pierre Percée that day
So we shortened the route after the pier and the road (sign saying "hunting in progress" on the left-hand path) and headed to the village of Pierre Percée. We wanted to take another route above the village, but there was another "hunting in progress" sign, so we reached the Vieux Pré dam via the indicated route and continued across the dam, taking a small circular.
A beautiful day with autumn colours.

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User 13052010

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, enjoyable hike with the lake, rocks and forest, and what's more, in beautiful weather
To be repeated

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Valérie Gab
Valérie Gab

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route with no difficulties. It starts off along the lake, which is relaxing, then goes into the forest with magnificent rocks. Please note that the castle ruins are currently undergoing renovation work and are closed to the public for the time being

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User 27185774

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike without any major difficulties. Lots of sections through woodland
The castle was not accessible due to construction work.
Incorrect signage from the start

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bernard_dorli
bernard_dorli

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The lake, the rocks, the beautiful forest – what more could you ask for? It's a very beautiful walk.

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Mikoda
Mikoda

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

shaved

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Emmanuel 54
Emmanuel 54

Very beautiful route, but we did it in reverse, finishing the hike along the lake. Very easy hike, mostly through the woods. I recommend it.

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User 4768400

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike without any major difficulties. Lots of passages through the woods

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Schmiltz
Schmiltz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Under a brilliant sky and in perfect weather conditions, we rediscovered Petit Canada as a family, with Léo of course. We followed the same route as last winter, but in a completely different atmosphere: light, greenery and the energy of spring.
A peaceful lunch break at Vierge Clarisse, and a few impromptu detours - the paths here are so clear that you really can't get lost. A simple, beautiful and rejuvenating walk, just the way we like it.

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Emmanuel 54
Emmanuel 54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I downloaded the route in gpx and followed it using the IGN rando application, the route is very well done.we did the route in the other direction, so we finished along the lake. It's a superb easy hike. There are a few more people along the lake, the hike is almost always in the undergrowth, which is really nice when the first heat arrives. It's a hike that I'd definitely do again with my family, with people who don't often get the chance to hike.

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Sandrine Jones
Sandrine Jones

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
A pleasant walk if you don't mind knowing that the main road is nearby, almost all the way.
Can't be done without Visorando: trails in all directions, codes of all colours, no names anywhere.
I had my eyes on the app at all times as there were so many opportunities to get lost: a big thank you, it saved a lot of arguing 😄
Sandrine Jones

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RPerc
RPerc
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Incorrect signposting from the start. The name of the route is nowhere to be found.
Many of the explanations on the PDFI route are imprecise.
The main directions are not specified.
Thank goodness for the map!

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montanini
montanini
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
We did this walk yesterday in beautiful winter sunshine, and the directions are clear.
The part around the lake is very pleasant and the rest under the rocks very beautiful.
We had a bit of trouble finding the next part of the path at the Vierge Clarisse, after crossing the main road you have to turn right immediately downhill.
The castle was not accessible due to building work.
Thank you for this walk and happy hiking

Daniel

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nine412
nine412

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

NICE HIKE......
With sunshine and a bit of frost....C ela faisait vraiment un peu 🍁 Canada...
Indication a bit confusing....
Very nice parish specific to Brittany....
THANK YOU for this parish specific to Brittany.....
Nine

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