Varied Perspectives on a Regional Gem
Showcasing nature, active transportation and tourism on the Parc linéaire le P’tit Train du Nord
Written by Amy Schwartz
On a beautiful sunny day earlier this summer, I set out bright and early from Montreal to Sainte-Adèle, Quebec. I was heading to meet two travel writers and content creators, with different home bases and perspectives, on the Parc linéaire le P’tit Train du Nord, part of the Trans Canada Trail, to talk all things trail, tourism and nature in Quebec’s beautiful Laurentians region. We’d connected through the Travel Media Association of Canada and quickly realized our love for trails, tourism and nature were aligned.
Photo credit: Modern Traveller
Re-discovering nature in her own backyard
Nancy Bordeleau, aka Cinq fourchettes, was setting out to explore the trail from the perspective of a newly returned resident to the region. Originally from the area, Nancy spent several years living on Montreal’s South Shore before returning to Saint-Jérôme — right at the P’tit Train du Nord’s kilometre zero — in recent years. She is looking to explore more in her own backyard, including on the Trans Canada Trail, to take in the benefits of living in one the best trail and cycling regions in the province.
“One lovely Wednesday afternoon in August, I set off on an e-bike ride with Jay along the P’tit Train du Nord, a section of the Trans-Canada Trail,” Nancy says in an article on her website. “It wasn’t a major expedition or a sporting challenge. We grabbed our bikes and set out to make the most of the day on a ride between Sainte-Adèle and Val-David.”
Photo credit: Modern Traveller
A first-timer’s experience on the P’tit Train du Nord
Jay Kana, also known as Modern Traveller, was coming to Quebec from Mississauga, Ontario, to find out more about what La Belle Province has to offer to visitors, and to learn about the history and culture of the Laurentians first-hand.
As Jay described his adventure, “The plan? To properly experience a portion of Quebec’s P’tit Train du Nord along the Trans Canada Trail for the first time and soak in the atmosphere.”
Photo credit: Modern Traveller
The benefits of trail tourism in the Laurentians
Shortly after our arrival, we were joined by Diane Pilon, Communications and Marketing Coordinator with P’tit Train du Nord Corporation (and yes, Diane cycled over to meet us from her office, also located on the Trail).
So, what is the P’tit Train du Nord? Well, for starters, it’s a must-visit trail that runs from Bois-des-Filion on Montreal’s North Shore to Mont-Laurier, via several charming villages and regional attractions. The trail is well-loved by locals and visitors alike; over two million people visited in 2025, an increase of 11 per cent from the previous year.
In addition to the sheer number of visitors annually, the Corporation also partners with local businesses, including accommodations, cafés, bike rentals, and much more.
The slightly longer version is the route originated as a railway in the late 19th century. It was decommissioned in the 1980s and converted to trail. This year, the trail celebrated its 30th anniversary. It’s an excellent cycling, walking, rolling and cross-country skiing trail, safe and off-road, and appropriate for all ages.
Here at Trans Canada Trail, we’re a proud partner of le P’tit Train du Nord – all 234 kilometres of the trail are part of our coast-to-coast-to-coast trail system, and we collaborate frequently on events and trail projects.
Photo credit: Amy Schwartz
So, what was the verdict on the trail? Unsurprisingly, Nancy and Jay loved their day on the Trail and plan to come back. To Nancy, “Exploring part of the region by bike, at a leisurely pace, following this old railway line, gave me a whole new perspective on a part of my own playground that had been unknown to me until then.”
As Jay summed it up, “The Trans Canada Trail is majestic in itself, and having such excellent trails like P’tit Train du Nord run through it as part of the coast-to-coast-to-coast network truly is spectacular. Regardless of your age and or ability, getting on the trail and enjoying it is open to everyone.”
On my end, it was a pleasure to meet up and talk trails with passionate and talented creators, and to see the P’tit Train du Nord – and the larger Trans Canada Trail system – through new eyes.
Read Nancy’s story here (in French).
Read Jay’s story here.
Photo credit: Amy Schwartz
Learn more about the P’tit Train du Nord and Quebec cycling trails on our interactive map.
The Great Canadian Hike is a nationwide challenge to hike, bike, paddle or roll in support the Trans Canada Trail. From September 1-30, 2026, we’re calling on people across the country to get active, log their progress and raise funds to help protect and maintain the world’s longest trail. Whether you go solo or start a team, every step counts towards our goal: 100,000 kilometres of collective trail use in 30 days. Register today!
Feature photo credit: Amy Schwartz
