If you’re looking for a hike near Québec City that delivers big rewards, Delaney Falls (Chute Delaney) in the Bras-du-Nord Valley should be at the top of your list.
Despite its beauty, Vallée Bras-du-Nord appears to be slightly off the radar. One source even calls it “Quebec’s best-kept secret.”
And while Montmorency Falls near Québec City draws busloads of tourists, Chute Delaney offers a tranquil, almost solitary experience. After a serene forest walk, you will experience the excitement of “finding” the hidden natural treasure that is Delaney Falls.
In this guide, I’ll describe how to hike to Delaney Falls and why this trail stands out among Québec’s outdoor offerings. Whether you’re planning a day trip from Québec City or building an adventure itinerary around Vallée Bras-du-Nord, this is a hike that delivers.
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In a hurry? Check out these shortcuts to sights near the Bras-du-Nord valley and Québec City lodging.
🚶🏽♀️ Explore the landscape of wild Canada with a professional guide, and a local food and beverage tasting on a Guided Hike in Jacques-Cartier National Park from Québec City.
🏔️ Explore walkways, bridges, and paths leading to a 74-foot (22.6 m) waterfall with admission to Canyon Sainte-Anne Park.
🚌 City views and the spectacular Montmorency Falls without the hike on the Québec City: Old Town and Montmorency Falls Bus Tour.
🏨 Book your stay in Québec City here: Booking.com • Expedia • Hotels.com
Where and what is the Bras-du-Nord Valley, location of Delaney Falls?
The Vallée Bras-du-Nord is located in Saint-Raymond, a small town in the Portneuf region of the province of Québec. It’s about an hour’s drive northwest of Québec City. This nature-filled valley allows for year-round outdoor adventure. Available activities include hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, via ferrata, and snowshoeing, for example.
The valley is part of a cooperative-run network of trails and services, including accommodations. As a result, it’s well-maintained and community-driven.
Preparing for the Hike to Delaney Falls
Making a Hiking Reservation for Vallée Bras-du-Nord
Online booking is a requirement to access activities in the Bras-du-Nord valley. The cooperative indicates that you must purchase your pass online and present your QR code upon arrival. Current prices for a Daily Hiking Pass (Canadian dollars):
$11.25, Adult
$7.75, Ages 13-17
$4.83, Ages 7-12.
Free, Ages 0-6
$27, family of two adults and children.
Annual passes are also available.
Other activities, like mountain biking or canoeing, have their own fees and require separate registration.
Getting to Vallée Bras-du-Nord
The Bras-du-Nord valley is a large area with multiple access points. The trailhead for the hike to Chute Delaney is at the Shannahan Reception point.
📍The address is 2180 Rang Saguenay, Saint-Raymond, QC G3L 3G3.
There is no public transportation, so plan on driving. Shannahan Reception has ample parking and portable toilets. There is also a convenience store on-site where you can find trail maps and gear rentals for biking, snowshoeing, and canoeing.
Wi-Fi is available to download a trail map to your mobile phone.
Trail Information for the Hike to Delaney Falls
The trail to Delaney Falls is on the out-and-back Bras-du-Nord Trail (Sentier Bras-du-Nord). This route is easy to moderate. It’s 5 miles (8.2 km) total with an elevation gain of 400 feet (122 m). Allow approximately 2–2.5 hr to complete the hike to the falls and return to the trailhead.
As mentioned above, you can download a trail map at the trailhead. I also used this map from AllTrails, which I found to be accurate.
Note: The hike to Delaney Falls uses only a portion of the full Bras-du-Nord Trail (Sentier Bras-du-Nord). The complete trail includes a branch that climbs above the falls to a viewpoint. Reviewers on AllTrails indicate the climb can be challenging, but hikers are rewarded with fantastic views at the top. The complete Bras-du-Nord Trail is about 7 miles round-trip (11.4 km) with an elevation gain of 1,191 feet (363 m). AllTrails estimates that the whole hike will take around 3 hours and 17 minutes.
What to Expect on the Trail
After a short walk from the trailhead at Shannahan Reception, hikers will cross the Bras du Nord River via a suspension bridge. The trail then makes a hard left, following the river through the forest. The terrain is easy to moderate, with an occasional wooden footbridge to even out the path.
Dogs are allowed on this trail, but they must be leashed.
The Trail to Delaney Falls in the Winter
The trail is open in winter. The Vallée Bras-du-Nord website indicates that winter weather conditions will dictate whether boots, crampons, or snowshoes are appropriate. See the official website for additional information on hiking to Delaney Falls in the winter.
Delaney Falls (Chute Delaney): The Payoff
As you approach the falls, the sound of rushing water intensifies. And then, Delaney Falls emerges at a break in the forest.
The top of the falls is narrower than the bottom, giving the waterfall a somewhat triangular shape. Various sources indicate that Delaney Falls has a height of 490 feet (150 meters). I was unable to verify this number with an “official” reference, however.
Water coming over the clifftop crashes over and around enormous boulders covering the entire cliff wall. As gravity does its work, the flow intensifies and batters the rocks. Spreading across the boulders, which widen on the way down, the water volume seems to increase, generating a roaring sound as spray and mist are thrown off every which way.
The raw energy of falling water, the continuous flow, and the sound of the cascade made for a fascinating experience.
And as a hike through the forest was needed to reach the falls, the “discovery” of the waterfall felt like finding a secret spot.
This natural wonder could captivate you for some time. Fortunately, the area at the base of the falls has picnic tables and dry toilets to allow for an extended stop to take it all in.
(Here’s another post describing a short hike to an incredible waterfall in Colorado: Fish Creek Falls)
Après Hike – What to do After your Hike to Delaney Falls
After your hike to Delaney Falls, consider stopping in Saint-Raymond for some refreshment. The Roquemont microbrewery might be the ideal stop. The brewery’s patio is particularly appealing. It features Adirondack chairs set in a shallow, refreshing pool-a thoughtful touch. This setup allows you to soak your feet and unwind after a day of hiking or mountain biking on the nearby trails. Of course, you can enjoy one of the brewery’s locally crafted beers as you do so!
As far as the refreshments go, the brewery had a good variety of beers on tap. I had a peach gose and found it to be appropriately sour and flavorful.
The microbrewery is associated with the Roquemout Hotel, which has traditional rooms and “micro-chalets” available.
Where to Stay near Vallée Bras-du-Nord
Speaking of hotels…
Bras-du-Nord Valley Accommodations
The Bras-du-Nord valley has a variety of accommodations for the adventurous, including campgrounds, yurts, “refuges” for long-distance hikers, and chalets.
Staying in the Saint-Raymond
If you’d like to stay in Saint-Raymond, the Roquemout Hotel mentioned above is one of several options, including hotels and vacation rentals. See the map below to search for accommodations in Saint-Raymond.
Lodging in Québec City
If you plan to stay in Québec City and visit Vallée Bras-du-Nord as a day trip, use the map and links below to research and book your lodging.
Book at Booking.com 🔷 Book at Expedia 🔷 Book at Hotels.com
Hiking to Delaney Falls – Pin It for Later!
I created these images of the hike to Delaney falls for your Pinterest Boards.
Final Thoughts: Why This Hike Stands Out
Chute Delaney is an enchanting natural feature tucked into a Québec forest in the Vallée Bras-du-Nord. This unusual waterfall, in a remote area, yet accessible via a moderate hike, is almost the definition of a “hidden gem.” Away from the crowds of the city, the picture-perfect cascade of Delaney Falls delivers. Be sure to include the memorable outdoor experience of finding Chute Delaney on your Québec itinerary!
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