On the woodsmen’s trail
In the olden days, Grand Calumet Island was known for the quality of its Calumet
stone which was used to manufacture the famous Peace Calumet. The Algonquin gathered the
stone for religious ceremonies and to ratify their peace agreements.
The terrible rapids of the Rocher Fendu which prevented easy access to the Island was
an obstacle for navigation on the Ottawa River. The natives and the woodsmen used portage
trails to bypass them. They went around the natural obstacle carrying boat and materials
on their backs.
These portages were ideal places to set up an ambush. During one ambush, a heroic
woodsman sacrificed himself to save his companions. The inexplicable circumstances of his
death made him a hero. A legend and a lament made the woodsman, Cadieux, a hero and the place of his
death was the object of a pilgrimage. All the travelers and the woodsmen who passed the
portage meditated on Cadieux’s grave. Nowadays, the rapids provide the thrill
of a sport for those who pass them by raft or kayak. Cyclo-tourism fans will find a
campground and an ideal place for swimming at the Rocher Fendu Park. Nature lovers
can easily observe an important population of white-tailed deer, bald
eagles, bears etc.
From Pembroke : Follow Highway 148 until Bryson towards Hull.
From Portage du Fort : Follow Highway 303 towards Shawville. On
Highway 148 turn left towards Bryson.
From Hull : Take Highway 148 until Bryson.
From Bryson, many tours are available but recommended only for mountain bikes or
hybrid. The main tours will be done on ground trails. In a very dry period, cars can raise
an unpleasant dust. During the week, there are not many cars and therefore, the dust
problem is very limited. To go to the Rocher Fendu there is a short road of about 46.2 km.
Alternative roads are available but they will add about ten kilometers.
Click on the map to enlarge it.
From Bryson’s motels, you can easily join the bridge which goes to the Grand
Calumet Island. We consider the bridge as kilometer 0.
For the most direct tour to the Rocher Fendu Park, take Mine Road (Chemin de la Mine),
then Tancredia and cross the center of the Island. After the bridge, turn on the second
road left which is Mine Road (Chemin de la mine). At the next intersection, turn right and
follow the Tancredia Road (Chemin Tancredia) until the village with the same name.
Two other roads will allow you to discover other sights of the Island :
Harmony Bay Road (Chemin de la Baie Harmony) : After the Bryson bridge, turn left
and take Cadieux Road (Chemin Cadieux). You will go along the river and discover beautiful
bays. At the next crossroad, take Mountain Road (Chemin de la Montagne) and after a little
slope you arrive on a plateau. At the end, you will observe the Bryson Dam on your left.
You will leave the forest after a big slope and arrive in an agricultural plain bordering
the river. You will see numerous islands. Take Murphy Road (Chemin Murphy) on your right
and you will return to an uneven forestry area. Then you reach Mine Road (Chemin de la
Mine). The tour is 8,8 km. Only 19,1 km to go to the Rocher Fendu Park when you turn left.
If you turn right, you will return to the Bryson bridge. It is 4 km. All along the
road, keep your eyes on the forest and even the prairie and you will, almost certainly see
numerous white-tailed deer !
It is also possible to go to the Rocher Fendu Park along the river by going through the
village of the Grand Calumet Island. The tour is longer but the road is along the river
for the most part of the tour.
Take Outaouais Road (Chemin des Outaouais) which is paved until the exit of the
village. At the entrance of the village, you can stop for a while at the Park created in
the memory of Cadieux. Take advantage while in the village to go shopping in the
convenience store because you will not find another along the road. Follow Outaouais Road
(Chemin des Outaouais) until Deer Lane then take Barry Road (Chemin Barry) until the
Rocher Fendu Park.
The Rocher Fendu is the name of seven
rapids in the Ottawa River. At that place, between the Grand Calumet Island and the
province of Ontario, you have about thirty islands with many channels interspersed with
spectacular falls and swamps. Seven big falls differ in size from 16 meters to about 7
kilometers in length. The distance across the Grand Calumet Island to the province of
Ontario is two and half kilometers. A real labyrinth of islands separated by wild water
channels shelter an abundant and various fauna. Only canoes or rafts allow the discovery
of this preserved place. Numerous rafting companies will take you safely through in these
rapids and you will be able to admire the beautiful and majestic natural habitat. You will
find at the Tourist information kiosk all the documentation that you need or you can
phone, toll free, at 1-800-665-5217.
The Rocher Fendu Park
Near the Rocher Fendu Dam, there is a Park. The admission is 1 $. The Park welcomes
campers and swimmers. You will find rustic campgrounds with tables and a beautiful sandy
beach which will allow to appreciate the beauty of this wild place.
The Cadieux memorial
At the entrance to Grand Calumet Island village, you will see a Park and a memorial
erected to pay tribute to an heroic woodsman, Jean Cadieux who sacrificed his life for his
companions. You can discover his extraordinary
story by visiting the culture pages of the Website.
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