Hidden inside the Eastern Township’s Parc de La Gorge de Coaticook lies a magical pathway that transports visitors into an imaginary realm – Foresta Lumina, an illuminated nighttime walking trail, aims to highlight the beauty of the gorge, considered by some to be the top tourist attraction in the area.
The two-kilometre pathway comes alive at night, lit up by 200,000 lights, innovative stage designs, video mapping, and original soundtracks, all of which are inspired by the region’s legends and mythology. The story goes that Margaret lived near the forest of Coaticook decades ago and was blessed with an uncommon gift; she could see what others could not see. The soul of this woman still breathes in these woods.
Walk through this forest to meet creatures within this magical world. Take a moment to whisper a wish to the fairies who live with Margaret and theses night creatures. Visitors journey through the trail’s seven multimedia zones, each of which has its own look and ambiance. From the wish garden to the enchanted riverbank, you will encounter different characters, such as fairies and the spirit of the forest, along the way.
The park already boasts some of the most-travelled trails in the province and features a 169-metre long suspended footbridge, among the longest in North America. Quebec entertainment company Moment Factory created the attraction for the city of Coaticook’s 150th anniversary in 2014.
In 2015, it won an Outstanding Achievement Award – Interactive Attraction, Limited Budget given out by TEA (Themed Entertainment Association), which is an international non-profit organization representing the world’s leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling places and experiences worldwide.
The park is about a two-hour drive from Montreal. The trek takes anywhere between 40 minutes to two hours to complete, depending on your walking pace. It costs $14.79 for adults, $8.70 for children 6-15 and it is free for those 5 and under. Service fees and taxes are not included. It is open on weekends this fall as of 7 p.m. from Sept. 18 to Oct. 10, 2021 (Thanksgiving Monday) when it closes for the season.
For more information, call 819-849-2331, or visit forestalumina.com.
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