The massive lake, a focal point of the Saguenay region, is so large that it feels more like an ocean.

BBC: Canada��s greatest cycling trail

From here a ferry whisks cars across the Saguenay River every 20 minutes during the day (every 40 minutes at night).

BBC: A coastal Qu��bec road trip

Then you will be ready to hike in craggy Parc du Saguenay or sea kayak up the fjord with tour operator Mer et Monde.

BBC: A coastal Qu��bec road trip

In a nifty feat of geography, the warm, fresh waters of the Saguenay jet out atop the frigid, salt waters of the St Lawrence River, churning up massive volumes of krill.

BBC: A coastal Qu��bec road trip

About 40km north, the route curved around the coast of Baie-Sainte-Catherine and headed into the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, a deep blue, cliff-walled fjord about 105km long, 4km wide and 270m deep that looked like it could have been lifted straight out of Norway.

BBC: Canada��s greatest cycling trail