La Gélinotte

La Gélinotte is a forest ecolodge wilderness hut at Entre Cîmes et Racines near Bolton-Est in Quebec’s Eastern Townships area, used for self-catered stays rather than staffed backcountry lodging.

The hut sleeps 6 people (4 adults and 2 children). The building is set on two levels and includes a common room with a dining area and kitchen plus two bedrooms.

Use is reservation-based. Bookings are made online or by phone, with full payment charged at reservation; stays start at 2pm and end at 11am. A minimum of 2 nights is required in high season (from Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day to Labor Day), on weekends, and during school breaks and holidays (with 3 nights requested for holiday weekends, except Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day and Canada Day).

Rates for La Gélinotte are $215 per night (basic rate for 1 or 2 people, plus taxes). Additional people add a $25/night fee for adults; teenagers (13 to 17) are $25/night, while children 0 to 12 stay free.

Amenities are built around off-grid use: no electricity is included, there’s a slow-burning stove for cooking and heating, and drinking water is provided (2 x 18 litres). Firewood is provided from October 1 to May 31 (one crate per day), while from June 1 to September 30 firewood is charged. A dry toilet is provided (indoor or outdoor depending on category), and there’s an outdoor fireplace plus a picnic table and/or chairs.

What to bring is explicitly required: your bedding (sheets, warm blanket and pillows), and a towel for the shower at the reception building. Bring your food and cooler; propane stove and headlamp/flashlight are also listed as items to bring.

Fire and utility details tie to the seasonal electricity/water model: WiFi is only available at the Campanile, not in the hut.