Dumoine River: The Wild Heart | 7-day Adult

Adventure Overview

Big water. Big history. One unforgettable Canadian river.

Some rivers are made for slowing down. Others are made for adventure. The Dumoine? It’s a little bit of both, with a whole lot of whitewater thrown in!

Welcome to the Dumoine River, one of Québec’s most celebrated wilderness canoe routes and a true Canadian paddling classic.

Flowing south from its headwaters near La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve to the Ottawa River, the Dumoine cuts through the rugged Canadian Shield, dropping in elevation as it winds through a spectacular landscape of rocky shorelines, towering forests, waterfalls, and exciting whitewater.

Alongside its sister rivers, the Noire and Coulonge, the Dumoine forms part of the legendary Three Sisters. Known for its exciting progression of Class I to III rapids, the Dumoine offers paddlers an incredible opportunity to challenge themselves, refine their skills, and experience the thrill of travelling a remote wilderness river.

Our adventure begins with a night at Dumoine Valley Guides, where we’ll settle in, get to know our fellow paddlers, and prepare for the journey ahead. The following morning, we’ll travel by van shuttle to Lac Benoit, where our river adventure begins.

And the Dumoine doesn’t waste any time getting exciting!

Our first stretch of river includes a long Class I–II rapid, setting the tone for the days ahead. With plenty of opportunities to navigate moving water, practice technical maneuvers, and develop your river-reading skills, this expedition is a fantastic next step for paddlers looking to build on their previous whitewater experience.

Over the course of our journey, we’ll paddle approximately 63 km of the Dumoine, navigating a wonderful mix of playful swifts, challenging rapids, peaceful stretches, and spectacular wilderness scenery. Our experienced guides will provide coaching and support along the way, helping paddlers refine their skills, build confidence, and make informed decisions on the water.

But the Dumoine is about so much more than whitewater!

This river has a remarkable cultural history, having served as an important travel route for Indigenous peoples for generations, long before European fur traders and loggers travelled its waters. Along the way, we’ll have opportunities to explore some of that history, including a visit to the historic Dumoine Hunt Club area, where remnants of the region’s fur trade and logging past can still be discovered.

We’ll also experience one of the river’s most spectacular natural features: Grande Chute. This impressive waterfall is a highlight of the expedition and requires our longest portage, a rewarding challenge surrounded by some truly incredible scenery.

Our journey eventually carries us into the Ottawa River, where a boat shuttle will return us to Dumoine Valley Guides, bringing our wilderness adventure full circle.

Of course, the best parts of a canoe expedition aren’t always measured in kilometres or rapids. They’re found in the quiet mornings on the river, the satisfaction of a well-executed run, the camaraderie around the campfire, and the simple pleasure of spending your days immersed in the wilderness.

The Wild Heart is more than a whitewater canoe trip. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, deepen your paddling skills, connect with fellow adventurers, and experience one of Canada’s truly iconic wilderness rivers.

Is This Trip Right for You?

Perfect for paddlers with previous whitewater experience who are ready for their next adventure!

The Dumoine is best suited to intermediate paddlers who have some previous moving-water experience and are comfortable navigating Class I and II rapids.

Unlike some of our more introductory whitewater expeditions, this trip gets moving right away! With a long Class I–II rapid near the beginning of our route, there is limited opportunity for introductory whitewater instruction before we encounter our first moving water. For this reason, previous whitewater experience is required.

Our experienced guides will provide coaching and instruction throughout the expedition, helping you refine your paddling techniques, improve your river-reading skills, and develop greater confidence on moving water.

This is a true wilderness canoe expedition, and participants should be prepared for full days on the river, navigating rapids up to Class III where appropriate, portaging canoes and equipment over rugged terrain, and participating in the physical demands of wilderness travel. All rapids will be assessed by our guides, with running or portaging decisions based on water levels, conditions, and group abilities.

Everyone will have opportunities to participate in expedition life, from carrying equipment and setting up camp to helping with meals. It’s all part of the adventure!

If you’ve paddled rivers like the Spanish or Petawawa and are ready to take your whitewater skills to the next level, the Dumoine might just be calling your name!

We acknowledge that the Dumoine River flows through the traditional territories of the  Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin) and Anishinabek Nations and is recognized under both the Williams (1923) and Robinson-Huron (Treaty 61, 1850) Treaties.  We recognize that we are visitors to this land. 

What's Included