This is one of Québec City’s most unusual outdoor activities and one of its best-reviewed, with hundreds of reviews and a perfect rating. You walk through forest on a guided hike with a herd of goats trotting ahead and alongside you, stop to watch wildlife and visit a beaver dam, see a shepherd dog at work in a demonstration and finish with a homemade picnic. The experience lasts about three and a half hours, and the hiking is gentle enough that most visitors with normal mobility can manage it. The pleasure is in the animals and the setting rather than in a summit or a view, and it gives children and adults alike a hands-on encounter with farm animals and the Québec countryside. Because the activity takes place outside the city centre, check the meeting point and transport arrangements when you book rather than assuming a central pick-up.
What the day feels like
Goats are curious, sociable and surprisingly good hiking companions, and the herd sets the pace and the mood. The guide explains the animals’ habits and the forest around you, and the beaver dam stop adds a wildlife element that suits patient observers. The sheepdog demonstration is a highlight for many families, showing how a working dog directs animals with whistles and gestures.
The homemade picnic rounds out the experience with local flavours in a rural setting. It is a slow, sensory outing rather than a strenuous trek, so do not expect long distances or steep climbs.
Planning
This is an outdoor activity in a forest, so dress for the weather in layers and wear closed shoes or light hiking boots with grip, since paths can be muddy after rain. Bring insect repellent in summer and a hat for sun, and carry water. Dietary needs should be mentioned at booking so the picnic can be adapted, and any physical limitations are worth raising with the operator in advance.
A winter version of the experience exists on snowshoes, so if you are visiting between December and March, check the seasonal options and dates when you book. Because the activity runs outside the city, allow time for the journey and do not schedule a tight connection straight afterwards.
Who it suits
Families with children who love animals, couples looking for something different from museums and ramparts, and travellers who want a half-day of fresh air without a strenuous hike. It is less suited to anyone with serious allergies to animals, to those who need a smooth wheelchair-accessible path, or to visitors who want a dramatic landscape and panoramic views.
Pair it with a lazy afternoon in Saint-Roch or Old Québec, or with a visit to Montmorency Falls on another day. Cancellation terms are shown at checkout, so confirm them before you commit, and consider booking early in summer and on holiday weekends when the experience tends to fill.
Visitors with allergies or sensitivities should mention them when booking, as the experience involves animals, outdoor vegetation and a shared picnic. Bring a small backpack for water and a camera, keep valuables to a minimum and wear clothes you do not mind getting a little muddy, because goats are friendly and enthusiastic. Photographers will find the animals and the forest light rewarding, and children often remember the day long after the trip.
What to expect
The experience
A guided forest hike with a herd of goats, a visit to a beaver dam, a shepherd dog demonstration and a homemade picnic.
Best time
Dry days from late spring to early autumn; a winter snowshoe version is offered separately.
How long
About 3 hours 30 minutes, plus travel from the city.
Tips
Wear closed shoes, bring repellent in summer, mention dietary needs when booking and check the meeting point and transport.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and animal lovers who want a gentle, memorable outdoor morning or afternoon.
- Families
- Excellent for children who like animals; the pace is slow and the picnic is a treat.
- Couples
- A playful change of pace from the city’s museums and fortifications.
- Pair with
- Montmorency Falls or a relaxed evening in Saint-Roch.
- Time needed
- Allow half a day including the journey.
Good questions
How long does the goat hike last?+
About three and a half hours, including the walk, the beaver dam stop, the dog demonstration and the picnic.
Is the hike difficult?+
No. The pace is gentle and set by the goats, so most visitors with normal mobility can manage it.
What is included?+
A guided hike with goats, a beaver dam visit, a shepherd dog demonstration and a homemade picnic.
Is there a winter version?+
A snowshoe version with the goats runs in winter. Check the seasonal options and dates when you book.
Where does it meet?+
The activity takes place outside the city centre, so check the meeting point and any transport details when you book.
