Staff Pick

Road Trip Matagami to Radisson – Billy-Diamond Highway (James Bay)

Matagami Radisson

620

7h30

drive

Summer

season

The Itinerary

The Billy-Diamond Highway — formerly the James Bay Road — runs straight north from Matagami for 620 km of pristine pavement through boreal forest and taiga to the great La Grande reservoirs. It's Quebec's northernmost paved road, but today drives like a family SUV trip — provided you follow the rules.

Only one wilderness rest stop (km 381) breaks the journey: fuel, restaurant, motel and mandatory check-in. The views are staggering: taiga, nameless lakes, pink and orange lichens in fall, northern lights in winter.

Radisson, a 350-person workers' village in the shadow of the LG-2 (Robert-Bourassa) hydro complex, is the base camp. The Robert-Bourassa generating station and its spectacular "Giant's Staircase" — a rock-carved spillway larger than a cathedral — are visited free with Hydro-Québec. The Cree of Eeyou Istchee welcome visitors at Chisasibi.

Points of Interest

✦

Robert-Bourassa (LG-2) Generating Station

Underground hydro station, free Hydro-Québec tours.
✦

Giant's Staircase

Rock-carved spillway, larger than a cathedral.
✦

Km 381 Rest Stop

Only fuel, motel and restaurant stop along the way.
✦

Chisasibi

Cree community of Eeyou Istchee, cultural welcome.