Staff Pick

Road Trip Baie-Comeau to Fermont – Route 389 & Manic Dams

Baie-Comeau Fermont

570

drive

Summer

season

The Itinerary

Route 389 is one of Quebec's most spectacular — and demanding — roads. From Baie-Comeau it runs 570 km straight north through boreal forest, tundra and lunar landscapes to the Labrador border.

At 220 km, the Manic-5 (Daniel-Johnson) dam is a multi-arch concrete cathedral, one of the largest of its kind in the world. Free guided Hydro-Québec tours run in summer. Further on, the Manicouagan reservoir traces a perfect circle visible from space: a 214-million-year-old meteorite impact crater.

Fermont, a 2,500-person mining town, is famous for its 1.3 km-long "wall-screen" building protecting it from northern winds. Tours of the Mont-Wright iron mine, one of the largest in Canada, are the headline draw. Sturdy vehicle, spare tire and full tank at Manic-5 are mandatory.

Points of Interest

✦

Manic-5 (Daniel-Johnson) Dam

World's largest multi-arch buttress dam, free guided tours.
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Manicouagan Crater

100 km-wide impact crater, visible from the ISS.
✦

Relais Gabriel

Essential rest stop and last fuel before Fermont.
✦

Mont-Wright Mine

One of Canada's largest iron mines, ArcelorMittal tours.
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Fermont Wall

1.3 km wall-building shielding the town from arctic wind.