Canada is a place like no other. From giant landmarks and bustling towns, there is no shortage of incredible places from coast to coast, but few destinations are as big, blue, and beautiful as Pingualuit Crater Lake in Quebec — a symmetrical destination in the Ungava Peninsula.
The Crystal Eye
Located in the northern part of the province, this incredible lagoon is 267 metres deep and is one of the clearest freshwater lakes in the world.
In fact, it’s so pristine that a device as far as 35 metres under the water could still be visible from the surface.
Created by a meteor that struck the Earth over 1.4 million years ago, this enchanting lake has a 160-metre-high impact rim and also offers a unique panorama in a moon-like tundra.
“Beyond the crater, the landscape is remarkably flat and intoxicatingly regular,” explains Nunavik Parks.
“The vast expanses of the park, devoid of trees, are particularly well-suited to nature and wildlife observation
Here, visitors can do everything from hiking and cross-country skiing to snowmobiling, kayaking, fishing and paraskiing, however, it’s important to be respectful while in the area.
The crater itself is deeply significant to the Inuit, who refer to it as “The Crystal Eye of Nunavik,” and serves as a reminder of a land before time.
A sight from space
From the ground, it’s big, but from above, it looks even bigger.
While those who lived in the area were aware of its existence, those outside the region weren’t made aware of the crater until 1943, when members of the United States Army Air Force noticed the spectacular structure from a plane.
After this discovery, a geological expedition began, and scientists were actually able to learn more about climate change during the last ice age.
Since then, the crater has led to the identification of more than 20 other impact structures in eastern Canada, which is wildly impressive.
Want to check it out for yourself? If you’re up for an adventure and would like to visit Pingualuit Crater Lake, there are a ton of incredible tours offered by locals.
After all, nobody knows the area like they do.
Enjoy and happy sightseeing! There’s nothing quite like it.
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