Nestled in a peaceful 175-acre forest near Eastman and Magog in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, just an hour from Montreal, Entre Cîmes et Racines offers a truly unique ecotourism experience.
Designed for nature lovers seeking relaxation and escape, this family-owned retreat features 14 distinctive ecolodges, including Quebec’s first underground lodgings, alongside six rustic campgrounds.
Visitors can unplug and reenergize year-round while exploring 12 kilometers of forest roads, hiking trails, streams, and an intricate maze. Embracing sustainable development and architectural harmony with nature, the property provides an immersive woodland getaway perfect for stargazing, winter sports, scavenger hunts, and peaceful solitude in every season.
Their story
The estate’s history began in the 1960s when Bernard Berger acquired land near Eastman, planting 65,000 trees and earning provincial forestry distinctions. In 1998, he entrusted the 175 acres to his three sons (Michaël, René, and Mario) who envisioned an eco-friendly “forest living” retreat.
Founded in 1999, Entre Cîmes et Racines opened its first ecolodges in 2002. In 2016, François-Xavier Berger stepped into the role of CEO, continuing the family’s legacy of environmental stewardship, sustainable infrastructure development, and authentic forest hospitality. Read more about them.
Sustainability actions
Lowest impact construction and operation
- Ecolodges are built using quality construction materials and lumber sourced directly from the estate’s own forest, milled on-site for both structural work and custom furniture.
- Cabins are constructed on pilings set directly on bedrock to minimize environmental disruption and preserve the natural landscape.
Highest level of energy efficiency
- Entre Cîmes et Racines combines low-impact architecture with completely off-grid living to maximize energy efficiency.
- Designed to minimize their footprint, the rustic lodges feature ground-integrated layouts with green roofs for natural earth insulation, wood-burning stoves sourced from the estate’s managed forest, and targeted solar power for basic lighting.
- By replacing high-draw electrical systems with passive thermal design, bedrock-supported structures, and minimal-water facilities, the ecolodge delivers a truly sustainable, low-carbon retreat.
Pioneer in waste management
- Accommodations feature inside or outside dry toilets to minimize water use, with full central sanitary facilities available at the main reception building.
Using organic and chemical-free products
- Entre Cîmes et Racines promotes a low-impact, eco-friendly stay by providing basic biodegradable supplies like compostable bags while encouraging guests to bring their own biodegradable, chemical-free personal care items to protect the surrounding forest ecosystem and rustic drainage systems.
Actively protects nature and community
- The property practices selective logging to promote forest regrowth, protect ecological niches, and preserve biodiversity across its 175 acres.
- Recognized with multiple Quebec Grand Prizes of Tourism and Canadian Tourism Award nominations for sustainable tourism, the business actively works to preserve the woodland environment and plans to further develop educational initiatives focused on forest ecology.
Most Popular Activities Near Entre Cîmes et Racines
- Hiking along 12 km of forest roads and trails
- Exploring the maze
- Treasure hunts and scavenger hunts
- Children’s play houses and “Search and Find” kids’ game
- Photography and photo contests
- Off-trail cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing (rental equipment available on site)
- Snow sliding
- Flora and fauna observation
- Campfires and stargazing
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Best Time To Visit Entre Cîmes et Racines
- Entre Cîmes et Racines is an ideal year-round destination. Summer and autumn are perfect for camping, hiking, maze exploration, and enjoying fall foliage, while winter offers an enchanting backdrop for snowshoeing, snow sliding, off-trail skiing, and cozying up in unique off-grid ecolodges.