Magog Quebec Lake Memphremagog Beaches and Mont-Orford Hikes

Why visit Magog

Magog began as a mill settlement. Ralph Merry III arrived around 1797 and built the first dam where the lake drains, and the place was first known as The Outlet. In the nineteenth century its mills flourished, and tourism grew as the lake and nearby mountains drew summer visitors. Today it is a town of about 28,000 people with a lively main street and a long waterfront.

The lake is also home to a local legend. Memphré, a lake creature, has been reported more than 225 times since 1798, so keep an eye out while you swim or paddle. Between the water, the park and the nearby farms and vineyards, Magog works as a base for outdoor trips in every season. The town sits where the lake drains into the Magog River, and the name Memphremagog comes from an Abenaki word often translated as at the large expanse of water.

The lake and the town

Baie-de-Magog Park and the waterfront

The waterfront parks follow the bay at the north end of Lake Memphremagog and are the heart of the town in summer. Allow a couple of hours for a walk, a picnic and the view across the water. Bring a layer for evenings, since breezes off the lake can be cool.

MacPherson Wharf and lake cruises

The MacPherson wharf has a tower you can climb for views over the bay, and cruise boats operate from the lake in season. Check with the local tourist office or operators for current schedules. Plan an hour for the wharf and a longer slot for a cruise.

Plage de l'Ouest and Plage des Cantons

Magog has public beaches on the lake, including Plage de l'Ouest and Plage des Cantons. They are good places for swimming, paddling and sitting by the water on warm days. Pack sun protection and check local notices about swimming conditions.

Rue Principale

The main street, Rue Principale, runs through downtown with restaurants, shops and cafés. It is easy to cover on foot in an hour or two, and it is the place to look for poutine or smoked meat. Evenings are lively in summer.

Vieux Clocher de Magog

The Vieux Clocher de Magog is a former church turned into a venue for live music, comedy and events. Check the program for the dates of your trip, since performances change by season. It makes an easy evening out after a day on the lake.

Nature and countryside

Marais de la Riviére aux Cerises

On the edge of town, a boardwalk crosses a large marsh and connects to well-kept hiking trails. It is a quiet spot for birdwatching and an easy walk of an hour or so. Bring insect repellent in summer and walk slowly to spot wildlife.

Mont-Orford National Park

Mont-Orford National Park lies immediately north of Magog and is managed by Sépaq. It is open year round, with camping, hiking, cycling, canoeing and kayaking in summer and alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Mont Orford is the best-known summit, alongside Mont Giroux, Mont Alfred-Desrochers, Mont Chauve and the Massif des Chênes, so hikers can pick a route to match their time and energy. The ski area sits about 10 kilometres from Magog. Plan a full day, and check the park's website for trail conditions and entry rules.

Le Cep d'Argent

Just outside town, the Le Cep d'Argent vineyard offers guided tours, tastings, workshops and a boutique, and it is known for wine made by the traditional Champagne method. It is open year round, which makes it a good rainy-day stop. Book a tour ahead and allow about two hours.

Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Abbey

On the lake shore south of town, the Benedictine abbey at Saint-Benoît-du-Lac has a cheese factory, orchards, a cider house and a shop where the monks sell their products. Guided tours of the abbey are available by reservation. Allow a half day, and respect the quiet of the grounds.

Food and local flavors

Look for traditional Quebec comfort food along the main street. Poutine, fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, is the classic, and Montreal-style smoked meat, brisket cured and steamed and served on rye with mustard, is just as common. Magog's farmland and orchards provide other regional flavors. Ice cider, a sweet drink made from frozen apples, is a Quebec invention and is sold at orchards and shops nearby, and maple syrup shows up in desserts, glazes and pancakes. The abbey at Saint-Benoît-du-Lac sells its own cheese and cider. For a market, the Marché public de Magog runs on most Sundays in the warmer months, with products from local farmers. Restaurants range from casual cafés to inns with local ingredients, and reservations help on summer weekends.

Where to stay

Downtown Magog is the practical choice if you want to walk to the waterfront, restaurants and the Vieux Clocher, with a choice of small inns and bed and breakfasts. The lake views and beach access make summer weekends especially popular, so reserve early.

Orford, just north of town, suits travellers who plan to spend time in Mont-Orford National Park, with resort-style hotels and inns close to the ski area and trails. Sherbrooke is a good alternative if you want a larger city with the widest choice of rooms and the main coach connections.

North Hatley, on Lake Massawippi, is a short drive away and is a pretty option for couples and travellers who prefer a village with galleries and small inns. Whichever base you choose, a car helps for the park, the vineyard and the abbey.

Best time to visit

Summer is the busiest season, with swimming, cycling, paddling and the Traversée internationale du lac Memphrémagog, a long-distance swimming event. Autumn brings colour on the hills and the Magog-Orford grape harvest festival.

Winter is a season of its own, with skating on the ice path along the lake, snowmobile trails and skiing at Mont Orford and Owl's Head. Summers can be hot and humid, so air conditioning is worth having, and the lake is large, so check the weather and conditions before heading out on a boat. Spring is quiet, with fewer visitors and lower demand.

Getting there and getting around

Magog lies about 120 kilometres east of Montreal. By car, take Autoroute 10 east and use exit 115, 118 or 123. From Vermont, follow Interstate 91 north to the Stanstead border crossing and continue on Autoroute 55.

Limocar coaches run daily between Montreal and Sherbrooke with stops in Longueuil, Bromont and Magog. Montreal-Trudeau International Airport is the main airport for the region, and there is no train service to the Eastern Townships.

Downtown Magog is easy to explore on foot, but you will want a car for the park, the vineyard and the abbey. Winter tires are required on Quebec-registered vehicles between December 15 and March 15.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Spend the morning along the waterfront and at the beach, climb the tower on the wharf, then have lunch on Rue Principale. In the evening, see what is on at the Vieux Clocher.

Second day

Head to Mont-Orford National Park for hiking or, in winter, skiing. Stop at the marsh boardwalk on the way back.

Third day

Visit the Le Cep d'Argent vineyard in the morning, then drive south along the lake to the abbey at Saint-Benoît-du-Lac for the cheese and cider shop.

Practical tips

• Book accommodation early for summer weekends and for the autumn colours.
• Rent a car if you plan to see the park, the vineyard and the abbey.
• French is the main language, and a few phrases go a long way.
• Check the abbey and vineyard for tour reservations before you go.
• Bring insect repellent for the marsh and park trails in summer.
• Check official websites for trail conditions, cruise schedules and park rules.
• Pack layers, since evenings by the lake can be cool even in summer.