5 family cycling suggestions
Recommendations from Vanessa Richard and Bertrand Lemeunier, bicycle travelers
For Vanessa Richard and Bertrand Lemeunier, cycling is much more than a leisure activity: it is a way of life. With their two children, Léo (12 years old) and Lucas (9 years old), they have traveled more than 40,000 kilometers around the world. In Quebec, they offer itineraries adapted to different levels, from accessible travel to more committed adventures.
Tour of Lake Saint-Jean
It’s the ultimate family classic. Accessible even with young children – their youngest was not yet two years old during his first experience – this circuit offers everything for a successful trip: little difference in altitude, numerous beaches for swimming, blueberries in season and an infrastructure perfectly suited to cyclists. Accommodations, campsites and luggage transport services make organization much easier, even with a trailer.
Interprovincial linear park Petit Témis
Built on a former railway line, this route linking Bas-Saint-Laurent to New Brunswick is ideal for families. The path, wide and safe, crosses peaceful forest landscapes. The rest stops and campsites are well designed for cyclists, and the absence of car traffic allows you to ride in complete tranquility while discovering the region.
Southern extension of the Bikepacking Quebec circuit
For more experienced families, this 760-kilometer section (shorter distances are possible) of the Bikepacking Quebec route offers an immersion in nature. In the direction of Pohénégamook, passing through the Massif du Sud and up to the Eastern Townships, the route takes numerous gravel paths. The climbs are present, but often gradual. There we discover a wilder Quebec, with possibilities for rustic camping. A challenge taken up by the family with children aged 8 and 11.
Anticosti élo
An extraordinary adventure. After a journey from their home in Charlevoix to the North Shore, the family explored Anticosti Island for almost a month. Little traffic, grandiose landscapes and a feeling of being elsewhere make this destination a unique playground. The Port-Menier sector allows you to structure your stay, but the experience remains resolutely wild.
Routes 138 and 132
Less suited to young families, these legendary routes are aimed more at seasoned adventurers. The tour of Gaspésie (route 132) or the North Shore (route 138) offer spectacular maritime landscapes and a succession of welcoming villages. However, the experience requires good preparation, particularly due to the distances, terrain and traffic in certain places. For this family, these routes are an integral part of a lifestyle focused on cycling travel.
5 road bike destinations in Quebec
Recommendations from David Lecointre, general director of the Véloroute des Bleuets
Road cycling is the freedom to discover regions of the world by breathing the air with 360 degree vision.
—  David Lecointre
Gatineau Park
The Gatineau region offers an exceptional playground for road cyclists. Its hilly terrain and its cover of deciduous trees make each outing pleasant. In the park, the experience is unique: you cycle surrounded by hundreds of other enthusiasts, in a friendly atmosphere. “The descents, long and not very technical, even allow you to reach impressive speeds, sometimes beyond 90 km/h,” notes the enthusiast.
Mauricie National Park
“I discovered, during the first edition of the Défi du parc in 2007, this route which remains a classic”. In the fall, it’s a real colorful postcard, but the beauty of the site can be appreciated all season long. The low car traffic and the quality of the roadway make it a very safe route. The relief is present, without being overwhelming, and the Belvédère coast constitutes an interesting sporting challenge.
Delage Lake Manor – Jacques-Cartier River – Tewkesbury
Close to Quebec, this circuit offers great diversity. Leaving the Manoir du lac Delage towards the south, we first cross an urban area before reaching the valley of the Jacques-Cartier River. The decor then becomes forest and peaceful. The climb of Équerres, which leads towards Tewkesbury, represents the main challenge of this route.
Tour of the island of Orleans
Every spring, from May, this classic returns to the program. Starting from the exit of the bridge towards Sainte-Pétronille, you can go around the island with the river always on the right, without interruption. The wind then becomes a real playing partner: sometimes an ally, sometimes an adversary. You have to know how to manage your effort to complete the loop in almost two hours. The views of the river and Mont Sainte-Anne are superb and traffic remains moderate during the week.
Sainte-Marguerite Valley (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean)
Between Sainte-Rose-du-Nord and Sacré-CÅ“ur, this route offers a unique setting, wedged between the Saguenay fjord and the Valin mountains. The road, almost without relief, winds to the rhythm of the meanders of the river. Protected from the wind and with an excellent surface, it is a route as pleasant as it is picturesque. Small detour recommended: the Chemin du Moulin, uphill, allows you to admire the Sainte-Marguerite bay. David Lecointre even offers a challenge for more extreme enthusiasts. slopes exceeding 20% await you”, specifying that the descent must be approached with caution.
Recommendations from Julien Lamarche, follower of Sherbrooke
Aerobic corridor (Laurentides)
A converted railway line, the Aerobic Corridor is a must for learning gravel cycling. Its linear, well-maintained and relatively flat route makes it an accessible course for all levels. There are 58 kilometers of trails that cross forests, villages and bodies of water, in a peaceful atmosphere, far from car traffic.
Val-Saint-François (Estrie)
In the heart of Estrie, Val-Saint-François offers a vast network of gravel paths that crisscross a hilly and authentic countryside. The routes allow you to discover quiet agricultural fields, open panoramas and well-preserved rural heritage. An ideal destination for accumulating miles while exploring new corners.
Transgaspésie
Reserved for adventure enthusiasts, Transgaspésie is an expedition in itself. This journey of bikepacking crosses the Gaspé Peninsula using a majority of isolated forest roads. Between mountains, rivers and dense forests, the experience is as physically demanding as it is logistical, but the grandiose landscapes are well worth the effort.
Cantons brewing loop
This loop perfectly combines cycling pleasure and gourmet discoveries. The route connects several microbreweries in the Eastern Townships using gravel roads and less frequented secondary paths. This is an opportunity to make friendly stops throughout the journey, in a festive and relaxed atmosphere.
Southern Massif and its surroundings
Increasingly popular, the Massif du Sud sector offers varied and demanding gravel routes. The forest roads offer steep climbs, rapid descents and spectacular viewpoints. The region attracts cyclists looking for a challenge and nature, with routes that plunge into the heart of a still wild territory.
Recommendations from Émile Bergeron, fan based in La Baie
“Although cycling is an individual sport, it is so fun to share moments with friends, to push each other and progress together. You have a feeling of freedom when you ride a mountain bike, you experience strong sensations and I always want more.”
Mont Édouard (L’Anse-Saint-Jean)
A real gem that is still little-known. Relatively new, the site offers half a dozen trails, from easy to expert level (up to double diamond). The ascent, which leads to a summit of just over 300 meters, is demanding, but several access points allow you to modulate the effort. There is a successful mix between “old school” natural trails and more fluid modern trails, all in a spectacular setting.
Empire 47 (Quebec)
A reference for free ride enduro. The network is enriched every year with new high-level trails, such as Nosferatu or Sépultura. The offering remains varied, with options for all levels, including families. This diversity makes it a site appreciated as much for progress as for pushing its limits.
Mont SM (Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, Mauricie)
Mont SM is among the most beautiful centers in Quebec. Despite the small size of the mountain, the quality of the trails is remarkable. There is a good density of slopes for all levels, a nice remarkable on several routes and jumplines which are part of the references in Quebec.
Val-Saint-Côme (Laurentides)
This center stands out in particular for the presence of one of the most imposing jumplines in Quebec, in addition to offering access by ski lift. A popular destination for lovers of jumps and thrills.
Bras-du-Nord Valley (Portneuf)
The Vallée Bras-du-Nord offers two distinct sectors. The first, near the village, is easily accessible, while the second offers a wilder network with impressive landscapes. There are unique segments, like La Légende, where you ride on the river bed overlooking a waterfall, as well as gravity-style trails accessible by shuttle. The Godzilla is among the longest jumplines in Quebec.
Émile Bergeron had difficulty limiting himself to only five recommendations. He also cites the Sentiers du Moulin, Le Massif de Charlevoix, Bromont, Mont Sainte-Anne, not to mention all the sites he wants to discover. “I have a long list of centers that I want to visit in the future,” he concludes.
Regardless of your discipline or level, one thing is certain: Quebec is full of playgrounds for cyclists. All that remains is to get on your bike and choose your adventure.
