Enjoy gourmet tasting experiences, charming communities and beautiful landscapes in the Eastern Townships with Great Canadian Trails
Cycle from Montreal to North Hatley through the Montérégie region and the Eastern Townships on a self-guided bike touring adventure. Known as the Véloroute Gourmande, this route passes through many charming communities, open-air museum exhibits, agricultural fields, maple harvesting forests, and picturesque lakes, mountains and rivers that flow back into the mighty St. Lawrence River. You will be encouraged to explore breweries, epicurean restaurants and the tastes of local products in a variety of enchanting communities and vibrant natural settings.
Overview | Inclusions
Duration: 7 days
Activities: 6 days self-guided cycling
Accommodation: 6 nights B&Bs/inns
Meals: 5 breakfasts
What’s included
- 6-night accommodation in B&Bs/inns
- 5 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer (1 piece per person, not exceeding 20 kilograms)
- Transfers as indicated in itinerary
- Hybrid bike rental, including rear rack, bottle cage, bike lock, repair kit and helmet
- Navigation app including detailed route and points of interest
- Access to emergency hotline
- $50 donation to Trans Canada Trail
What’s not included
- Travel to/from Montreal
- Airfare, visas, travel insurance (required)
- Airport transfers
- Guide (this is a self-guided tour)
- Optional e-bike upgrade
- Personal expenses
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Entrance fees and optional activities
- All applicable taxes
Day 1: Arrive Montreal
Welcome to Quebec! Find your way to your hotel in downtown Montreal. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city at your leisure.
Day 2: Montreal to Marieville (approx. 46.8 km)
Make your way to the bike shop in the Old Port of Montreal, where you will be fitted for your bikes. From here, use bridges to cross canals and the mighty Saint Lawrence River. As you leave the heart of Montreal, you’ll pass through more parks and green spaces en route to Chambly, where you’ll cross the Chambly Canal and continue to Marieville, your home for the night.
Day 3: Marieville to Granby (approx. 76.7 km)
This morning, return to Chambly and take the bike path along the Chambly Canal to the city of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, where you’ll cross the Richelieu River and continue through a wooded area to Farnham, home to a local brewery and cheese shop. The route out of town continues along scenic tree-lined bike trails until you reach Granby and split off for your bed and breakfast for the evening.
Day 4: Granby to Foster (approx. 33.6 km to 40.1 km)
Start things off with some lakeside views for the shortest day of your cycling journey as you head east using the shoreline bike trail. Past Lake Boivin and the nearby reservoir, the trail curves to the southeast. If you like, take an optional detour into Bromont, or continue through extensive woodlands to circumvent Mount Shefford’s three impressive peaks on the way into Waterloo. After passing through Waterloo, your path leads you to the shores of Brome Lake, where you’ll find your B&B for the night.
Day 5: Foster to Magog (approx. 49.4 km to 53.4 km)
Today, be prepared for some elevation changes as you pass through Eastman and the hilly terrain approaching Mont-Orford National Park. If you like, extend your ride with a 4 km out-and-back detour around Silver Lake near Eastman, featuring spectacular hillside views. On the successive route to Magog, some road cycling will be required in connecting between trail sections. Your route takes you through a pass between Mont Alfred-DesRochers and Mont-Chauve. Continue to the charming town of Magog.
Day 6: Magog to North Hatley (approx. 39.4 km)
Today, wine enthusiasts may be interested in a winery detour on the outskirts of Magog. Cycle in a forested area to Magog Lake, known for its maple production. Continue with some on-road cycling interspersed with wooded trails until you reach your charming B&B in North Hatley. Be sure to find a moment to enjoy a walk to the end of North Hatley’s pier.
Day 7: North Hatley to Sherbrooke to Montreal (approx. 24.7 km and transfer)
Enjoy a hearty breakfast, then head out for your final stretch along the river and countryside between North Hatley and Sherbrooke. Enjoy leisure time in Sherbrooke before taking a shuttle back to Montréal with your bikes. Services end upon arrival in Montreal. Until next time!
Great Canadian Trails: A note on self-guided adventures
Self-guided walking requires individuals to use problem-solving skills, to be adaptable and to have a keen eye. It’s recommended that individuals are comfortable reading a map and referring to route notes, while having a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!)
Sometimes route finding, losing your way, and asking the locals for help are all part of the adventure. If you’ve never been on a self-guided trip, you’ll get the hang of it after the first couple of days, as the vast majority of first-time travellers with Great Canadian Trails attest.
Written route-finding materials issued by Great Canadian Trails are updated regularly. Great Canadian Trails provides a seven-day service hotline to help solve problems and answer questions.
