This small town is located in the Outaouais region of Quebec of 4,500 lies where the Désert River flows into the Gatineau River, about 130 km from Ottawa and Gatineau It is the major community in the upper Gatineau Valley and is 150 years old in 2001. The town has a scenic boardwalk along the Désert River. You can visit the Parc du Draveur (Raftsmen Park) and learn about the history of logging and rafting, while visiting the tugboat Pythinga. Enjoy a free ride about a rabaska canoe, courtesy of the town.
The pretty town lies on the Gatineau River, at the crossroads of Route 105 and Route 107, and is the administrative centre for La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Regional County Municipality.
Maniwaki is a town that combines its historical roots with modern amenities, and hosts events, festivals, and has facilities that serve the local population.
Annual Events
Whitewater Festival on the Haute-Gatineau (late August).
Maniwaki History
The area around Maniwaki has a history of Indigenous inhabitation, primarily by the Algonquin people, who were her for thousands of years.
The arrival of French explorers and traders over the 1600s, marked the beginning of the fur trade era along the Ottawa River and its tributaries made the Gatineau River a crucial waterway for fur traders and explorers.
In the mid-1800s, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (of the Catholic Church) established a mission in the Maniwaki area. This began to attract more permanent European settlers to the region. Over the 1800s, the Gatineau River gave the logging industry access to the vast forests in the interior of Quebec w hich were cut, milled, and process down-river. The abundant forests in the region contributed to the growth of the timber trade, and logging became a major economic activity around Maniwaki.
Maniwaki continued to grow in the early 1900s as an important hub for the forest industry. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway also played a role in the town’s development, facilitating transportation of timber and other goods.
The hydroelectric potential of the Gatineau River led to the construction of several hydroelectric dams in the early 1900s. These projects brought economic opportunities and contributed to the electrification of the region.
Maniwaki Attractions
Chateau Logue
8 Comeau St
819-449-7999
The Chateau Logue was built in 1887, on the banks of the Gatineau River, and today houses an interpretive centre, which covers the history of forest fire prevention, from the earliest days to modern-day computer and satellite detection. Maniwaki’s COPFEU is a world leader in the development of new prevention technologies. Also here are travelling art exhibits, picnic areas, and bilingual tours. Open May to October, daily 10 am to 5 pm. Admission $. Reservations required for groups.
Parc du Draveur (Raftsmen Park)
156 Principal Rd South
819-449-6627
This park pays tribute to the logging history of Maniwaki and those who worked in this exciting but often dangerous industry. The park contains an impressive steel statue of a log driver.
Tugboat Pythonga
Parc du Draveur (Raftsmen Park)
This specially-fitted 70-tonne tugboat pulled logs downstream through areas with slow currents, and to prevent logs from getting dispersed. Often these log rafts were miles long, and looked like floating carpets on the area’s lakes and rivers. Each trip, this tug typically pulled close to 400,000 logs for 50 kilometres for over 70 yars.
Foret de l’Aigle Demonstration Area of Forestry Work
Paganakomin Mikan Road at the southern exit of Maniwaki
This demonstration area will show the various ways to cut wood particularly to bush logging. On the drive to the Area, you will pass the Kitan Zibi Anishinabeg native reservation.
Savoyard Covered Bridge
Pont Rouge Road, Grand-Remous
This bridge, a few kilometres north of Maniwaki, is one of five in the Gatineau region. This bridge offers great views of the Gatineau River. There is a winch that was used to trim the passing log booms.
Quinn Brook Falls
Highway 105 at Highway 117 North
This waterfall is on the left side of the road, before the La Vérendrye park entrance. Nearby is the 1927 Mercier Dam that created the Baskatong Reservoir.
La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve
Highway 117, via 105 north of town, about 50 km to park’s south entrance
819-438-2017
This park has a number of interpretive trails, including the Mysterious Forest Trail, 13 km from park entrance. There are campgrounds, the Rolland Falls and an Interpretive centre all close to the south entrance. Open mid May to mid September 8 am to 8 pm daily. Admission is free.