The Portage-Larouche Circuit (no. 34) is a 44 km loop in Réserve faunique La Vérendrye that Sépaq classes as a beginner circuit, planned for three days and two nights. Paddling Magazine places its start near the Lac-Rapide visitor centre. Launch at the Portage campground, the Grand Barrage campground or Ruisseau Duman, and paddle clockwise. Several lakes are joined by narrow, winding streams, and motorboats are scarce on most of the route. Portaging is light: five type A portages totalling 635 m and one type B portage of 100 m. The carry between Lac au Barrage and Lac Portage drops steeply on both sides; starting at Lac Portage and finishing at Lac au Barrage avoids it. Sépaq also notes one impassable spot and two shallow stretches. Rock-slab campsites near the outlet of Lac Nizard stand out, and 18 sites lie about 3 km apart.
Portage-Larouche Circuit (no. 34), La Vérendrye is rated Easy. Whitewater ratings are not exact: grades change with water level and season. Verify current conditions locally before you paddle.
The best time is Mid-May to late September (Sépaq canoe-camping season; registration centre open May 14 to September 27 in 2026).
Portage-Larouche Circuit (no. 34), La Vérendrye is located in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue / Outaouais boundary area region of Canada.
Straight-line distance between route centres.
sepaq.com · accespleinair.org · paddlingmag.com · openstreetmap.org
Conditions change with water level and season. Grades and positions are for planning, not navigation. Verify locally before you paddle. Terms of use
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