Chasing waterfalls along Swaggin Trail in Lanaudière

I drove through the Lanaudière region recently, on my way to Mauricie. I decided to take the opportunity to do some hiking there, and follow a trail that is part of the 75S Challenge: the one leading to Swaggin and Bouleau waterfalls near Saint-Côme.

I don’t know much about Lanaudière (I only went there once, a few years ago, to hike in the Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm area), so I was particularly excited to explore a trail in this region. And while driving on Simon-Luissier Road which leads to the trail parking lot, I had the impression of going even deeper into the heart of the region’s boreal forest.

The route to follow as part of the 75S challenge consists of hiking back and forth two sections of two trails which both lead to waterfalls: Swaggin Trail (sentier Swaggin) that goes to the waterfall of the same name, then Boule Trail (sentier de la Boule) leading to the Bouleau Rapids. I decided I would start by hiking to Swaggin Falls first, so when I arrived, I hiked a few metres to the Swaggin Shelter, then I followed the trail heading west.

Swaggin Falls

Swaggin Trail is located partly in the ZEC Lavigne and runs along the Swaggin River. This trail is part of the Sentier National du Québec network, a long-distance trail that crosses several regions of Quebec. I have already followed some parts of the trail, in Gatineau for example, or along Iroquois Creek in the Outaouais region. So I was very happy to see again the familiar red and white trail markers along Swaggin Trail.

The trail winds gently under the pine trees of the forest, with some slight ascents and descents. There were several large roots to avoid and some slightly muddy sections, but nothing too difficult. After about 500 metres of hiking, I began to see the Swaggin River between the trees.

The flow of the river was very calm at first, but as I progressed along the path, I could hear the louder and louder roar of the waterfalls. When I finally arrived at the series of small waterfalls on the river, I found the place particularly pretty.

I admit that I naively believed that I had reached Swaggin Falls. I continued my hike, following the river and continuing to admire all the waterfalls and rapids of the river. Until I arrived at an intersection with a short detour (marked by blue and white trail markers), which allowed me to get even closer to the river, farther down. And there, at the end of this short trail, I finally arrived in front of an impressive waterfall, and realized that this was actually Swaggin Falls.

I sat there for a few minutes, because I found the place so beautiful! But eventually I needed to continue my hike, so I returned to the main trail, and continued hiking along Swaggin Trail.

The trail continued to offer me lovely views of the river. The trail seemed particularly muddy at this point, and a little rockier too. I passed a school group and the forest echoed for a moment with their laughter and shouts, then I found a little tranquility when I reached a large, quieter basin of the Swaggin River.

After that point, Swaggin Trail continues its route towards Lac Clair and Tranchant Mountain, farther west. But for my part, I had hiked the part of the trail that I wanted to hike and I had seen Swaggin Falls, so I retraced my steps to head towards my next objective: the Bouleau Rapids (rapides à Bouleau).

Bouleau Rapids

After retracing my steps to my starting point, I once again found myself in front of the Swaggin Shelter, but I now hiked towards another trail, heading northeast this time: the Boule Trail. This trail is also part of the Sentier National network and is also located in the ZEC Lavigne. But this time, I found myself hiking along the L’Assomption River, which I crossed via a pretty footbridge.

Boule Trail seemed a little wilder and narrower than Swaggin Trail. But the hike continued to be easy and enjoyable. The trail offers several beautiful views of the river and the boreal forest which borders it.

The “falls” of this trail are more of a series of rapids on the L’Assomption River. Not as impressive as Swaggin Falls, but the river is wider and it’s possible to get very close of it, so it’s still worth the hike to get there.

Boule Trail continues its route towards the lake of the same name, about twenty kilometres further. But I had reached my goal for the day, I had seen both waterfalls I wanted to see, so I once again retraced my steps towards my starting point.

The round trip to Swaggin and Bouleau Falls totaled nearly 7 kilometres, with an elevation gain of 306 metrrs. It was not a too complicated hike, which introduced me to a trail in a region that I know too little about. I really need to come to Lanaudière more often!

***Swaggin and Bouleau Falls Trail is part of the 75S Challenge, a hiking challenge managed by Rando Québec. To learn more about the challenge or to follow my progress, visit this page.***