Baie-James >> The James Bay Coast >> James Bay Highway
James Bay Highway
Accessible year round
A Long and Peaceful Road
The James Bay Highway, one of the most remote roads in Quebec, is 620 kilometres long and links Matagami to Radisson. This asphalted road was built in 420 days at the beginning of the 1970s. It was built to provide a road on which Hydro-Québec could transport its heavy equipment (weighing between 300 and 500 tons) needed for the construction of some dams and hydroelectric power stations.
If you take this road to reach the different hydroelectric complexes of the region, make sure you fill up your car in Matagami, at kilometre 0, because the next gas station is only at kilometre 381. We suggest you to sign the register at the tourism information bureau at kilometre 6, so the authorities know about your itinerary. Because cellphones do not work in this region, some emergency phones have been put along the road. For all the reasons stated above, make sure your car is in good condition before you leave.
The road is long and far from being entertaining, but the taiga landscape is sometimes interesting to look at. There are numerous rivers and lakes that you can see from the road. You will cross no less than 11 rivers on as many bridges during your journey. Make sure you do not miss the rapids on the Rupert River at kilometre 257! There are only a few villages, mainly remote Cree villages accessible by secondary and non-asphalted routes, located many kilometres from the James Bay Highway.
You will have the opportunity to see some Cree camps along the road as well as some refuges and lakes in which you can go wading. This road is opened and maintained year round, but since it is not very busy with traffic, make sure you have everything you need in case of emergency. Do not forget fuel, something to eat and drink, your sleeping bags, spare tire, bug repellent… and patience, of course!
James Bay Highway
Matagami
Québec, Canada
Phone : 819-638-7777
Fax : 819-638-7788
Activities on site
Scenic Route
