Chute Sainte-Anne

Beaupre, Quebec, Canada

About Chute Sainte-Anne

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre (or Saint Anne Waterfall of Beaupre) was an enjoyable waterfall experience for the whole family for many reasons.

Not only were Julie and I pretty mesmerized by the 74m drop of the Sainte-Anne-du-Nord River over several twisting and thundering tiers nestled within the deep Canyon Sainte-Anne. but our daughter also seemed to enjoy the experience.

Canyon_Ste-Anne_079_10052013 - The Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall
The Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall

Granted, her enjoyment was probably for reasons that weren’t necessarily waterfall-related, which we’ll get to later.

Indeed, it was one of those places where it seemed like there was something for everyone.

The Canyon Sainte-Anne Experience

In order to experience the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall, we had to explore the Canyon Sainte-Anne, which was actually a commercialized adventure park.

As of our October 2013 visit, Julie and I paid about $12 CAD per person to enter the facility (which didn’t open until 9am), but our two-year-old daughter came in for free.

Canyon_Ste-Anne_076_10052013 - One of two suspension bridges spanning the depths of the Canyon Sainte-Anne while also providing direct views of the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall itself
One of two suspension bridges spanning the depths of the Canyon Sainte-Anne while also providing direct views of the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall itself

We figured that given the amount of infrastructure that was here, the price was probably justified.

The commercialism in the complex seemed to toe that fine line between natural attraction to be respected and left alone while providing a playground of monetization.

However, we felt the star attraction here remained the Canyon Sainte-Anne and its waterfall, which we got to enjoy via a comprehensive walking route.

All three of us spent a little over 2 hours at a very leisurely pace to pretty much do the entire walk.

Canyon_Ste-Anne_042_10052013 - We were glad these fences were at the dropoffs so our daughter was less likely to fall into the Canyon Sainte-Anne while still enjoying the experience
We were glad these fences were at the dropoffs so our daughter was less likely to fall into the Canyon Sainte-Anne while still enjoying the experience

The walked involved crossing suspension bridges, standing on protruding lookouts, and skirting gorge rims on both sides of Canyon Sainte-Anne.

Thus, we were able to experience the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre waterfall from almost every angle imaginable.

The developed walkways were actually quite family-friendly as fences were erected where dropoff exposure was the most prevalent.

We still had to keep an eye on our daughter since anyone (even two-year-olds) can climb the fences if persistent.

Canyon_Ste-Anne_126_10052013 - Thrill seekers taking a more adventurous wire path along the nearly vertical walls of the Canyon Sainte-Anne
Thrill seekers taking a more adventurous wire path along the nearly vertical walls of the Canyon Sainte-Anne

However, I appreciated the fact that I didn’t need to carry her around in the child carrier the entire time, and that made the all around experience even more enjoyable.

As for other ways to explore and enjoy Canyon Sainte-Anne, we saw people partaking in rock climbs, ziplines, and wire walks.

We didn’t partake in these additional paid activities, but they seemed to be for those restless souls who needed to spice up their visit to Canyon Sainte-Anne.

Finally, regarding the things that our daughter enjoyed, there was a playground near the entrance, large statues of animals on the way to the canyon, and just the simple fallen leaves around the picnic area before the visitor center.

Photographing and Timing the Chute Sainte-Anne Waterfall

Canyon_Ste-Anne_020_10052013 - This picture of the scenery upstream of the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall was taken while the morning clouds were still out, which resulted in the even lighting with minimal shadows
This picture of the scenery upstream of the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall was taken while the morning clouds were still out, which resulted in the even lighting with minimal shadows

Our visit took place right at opening time in October of 2013, which yielded plenty of Autumn colors adding a lively contrast to our photos.

The morning sun also just started to break free from the morning clouds for good, which resulted in some harsh sidelighting as well as some frontal lighting as we faced the waterfall.

Since Canyon Sainte-Anne was deep, there always seemed to be shadows in the canyon’s depths throughout the day.

Thus, as far as getting the best lighting for taking pictures, I’d say the early afternoon might be the best time for backlighting and minimal shadows.

Canyon_Ste-Anne_071_10052013 - The presence of the morning sun meant that we had to contend with shadows cast on the satisfying flow of the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall
The presence of the morning sun meant that we had to contend with shadows cast on the satisfying flow of the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall

As for the waterflow, as you can see in the photos on this page, the waterfall didn’t disappoint.

This suggested to me that the Chute Sainte-Anne Waterfall is likely to flow year-round since our visit was pretty much very late in the season’s flow before the next season’s round of precipitation by snow and/or rain.

Detailed Description of the Chute Sainte-Anne Waterfall Walking Route

Our walking route took on the shape of a lower-case “g” where we took a counter-clockwise approach to the looping part of the route with an out-and-back detour at the bottom of the Canyon Sainte-Anne.

After getting to the top of the canyon where the “g”-route commenced, we first crossed a sturdy bridge upstream of the falls before walking downhill towards the suspension bridge fronting Chute Sainte-Anne.

Canyon_Ste-Anne_039_10052013 - Looking towards the slanting cascade profile of the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre from one of many lookouts on the opposite side of Canyon Sainte-Anne
Looking towards the slanting cascade profile of the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre from one of many lookouts on the opposite side of Canyon Sainte-Anne

All throughout this part of the walk, we enjoyed overlooks offering profile and angled views of the falls.

This sturdy bridge provided us a view upstream towards the calm Sainte-Anne watercourse, which complemented the Autumn foliage around it nicely.

Meanwhile, we managed to get comprehensive views of the entire drop of the Chute Sainte-Anne Waterfall since most of the views here faced the majority of the twisting waterfall.

On top of the bouncy and narrow suspension bridge, we were perched 60m directly above the shadowy depths of floor of Canyon Sainte-Anne.

Canyon_Ste-Anne_088_10052013 - Looking downstream towards the mouth of the Canyon Sainte-Anne with sidelighting from the morning sun bringing out some of the Autumn foliage colors
Looking downstream towards the mouth of the Canyon Sainte-Anne with sidelighting from the morning sun bringing out some of the Autumn foliage colors

While this bridge yielded full frontal views of the waterfall (the photo at the top of this page came from here) and the mouth of Canyon Sainte-Anne, it definitely tested one’s fear of heights.

On the other side of the suspension bridge, we then continued further downhill towards steps that ultimately led to a lower suspension bridge and a dead-end.

That lower bridge was practically within the depths of Canyon Sainte-Anne so the visual magnitude of the gorge walls was very apparent.

Our included park map called this spot the “mini canyon” probably because the gorge opened up shortly downstream of this lower suspension bridge.

Canyon_Ste-Anne_124_10052013 - Context of the hidden waterfall and dead-end at the lower suspension bridge within the mouth of the Canyon Sainte-Anne
Context of the hidden waterfall and dead-end at the lower suspension bridge within the mouth of the Canyon Sainte-Anne

At the dead-end, we also spotted some hidden waterfalls spilling nearby the lower suspension bridge.

The Chute Sainte-Anne could barely be seen from down here, but we figured that getting down to this point of the well-established walk was more of an exercise in admiring the canyon depths from within.

Finally, we headed back up the steps and then up the other side of the canyon to complete the rest of the “g”-shaped route.

Along the way, we passed by even more vantage points that seemed to be much closer to the rushing waters of Chute Sainte-Anne than earlier on.

Canyon_Ste-Anne_155_10052013 - Experiencing the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall from the near-side of the Canyon Sainte-Anne was all about getting close to parts of the rush of water
Experiencing the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Waterfall from the near-side of the Canyon Sainte-Anne was all about getting close to parts of the rush of water

Thus, the views here were more about feeling the waterfall’s power as opposed to admiring it from afar, especially since this side only offered partial views of the Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre.

In fact, the overlooks on this near side of the Canyon Sainte-Anne were so close to the rushing water that the loud noise made it difficult to even have a conversation without shouting!

Authorities

The Chute Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre (Sainte Anne of Beaupre Waterfall) resides near Beaupre in the province of Quebec, Canada. It is adminstered by the Canyon Sainte-Anne. For information or inquiries as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual members. See Membership Options.
Content is for members. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: beaupre, sainte-anne, quebec, quebec city, canada, waterfall, canyoning



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.