4
Introductory to Moderate

Traveler Rating

 

Activities
  • 6 days self-guided cycling
Accommodation
  • 6 nights inns/B&Bs

Price

7 daysfrom

$1290USD

Overview

Trip code: VGM

Trip highlights


  • Enjoy a relaxing ride along scenic woodland trails throughout the Eastern Townships and the Montérégie region
  • Indulge your inner gourmand with epicurean restaurants, cafés, bakeries and brewpubs
  • Stop in at chocolate and cheese stores and other producers of hand-crafted local products
  • View remarkable exhibits and displays of the Astria open-air museum set along the region's cycling trails
  • Ride to gorgeous canal, lake and riverside views with charming piers and boardwalks

Enjoy the gourmet tasting experiences of the Montérégie region and the Eastern Townships between Montreal and North Hatley on a self-guided bike touring adventure. This multi-day cycling tour is known as the Veloroute Gourmande and follows an established route between Montreal and Sherbrooke that extends for 235km/146miles as part of the Route Verte trail network. The tour stops just short of Sherbrooke in North Hatley to enjoy everything that the charming community has to offer to the gourmet cyclist. The 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. This experience is about enjoying the famous 'joie de vivre' of the people of Quebec through their passion for food and drink. You will be encouraged to explore breweries, epicurean restaurants and the tastes of other local products in a variety of enchanting communities and vibrant natural settings.


Itinerary

Make your way to the joining hotel in Montréal, located conveniently downtown, near a variety of restaurants and eclectic shops. The island of Montréal was originally a diplomatic trading area for regional First Nations valued for its strategic location on the St Lawrence River. Eventually, it became a bustling port city, now also home to art galleries, museums, beautiful patios and gastronomic restaurants. Montréal represents a mosaic of cultures and traditions worth exploring. You may wish to arrive a day or two before your cycling tour starts.

Meals:  Nil

After making your way to the bike shop in the Old Port of Montreal, you will be fitted for your bikes. From here you will find yourself using bridges to cross canals and the mighty Saint Lawrence River. Note that the Saint-Lambert Lock sometimes closes to traffic and cyclists during the passage of day boats for periods of up to an hour. As you distance yourself from the heart of Montreal you will begin to pass through more parks and green spaces. When you reach the town of Chambly you will encounter many charming restaurants and shops alongside the popular Chambly Basin. From here you will cross the charming Chambly Canal on your way to Marieville.

Meals:  B

Begin your day’s ride by returning to the town of Chambly and taking the bike path alongside the Chambly Canal, originally constructed between 1833 and 1841 to bypass the Chambly Rapids on the Richelieu River. The canal played a major economic role by helping to link New York City to Montreal. The river has a complex and varied history to the indigenous communities of the area and came to be used historically by the Kanien'kehá:ka people. You will ride along the cana until you reach Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, a sector vibrant with art galleries, museums, parks, authentic shops, cafés, and restaurants. After you cross the river, you will emerge onto pathway that runs through woods, fields, and farmlands. The path leading east will take you to Farnham, where the local fromagerie and the local brewery both have inviting patios and flavors. The route out of town continues along scenic tree-lined bike trails until you reach Granby and split off for your bed & breakfast for the evening. The waters from Boivin Lake flow west into the Yamaska River, which parallel the main trail as they pass through Granby on their way to the Saint-Lawrence River.

Meals:  Nil

Start things off with some lakeside views for the shortest day of your cycling journey as you head east using the shoreline bike trail. Once you are past Lake Boivin and the nearby reservoir, the trail curves to the southeast with an optional detour into Bromont. After this the trail passes through extensive woodlands to circumvent Mount Shefford’s three impressive peaks on the way into Waterloo. Today’s culinary lunch opportunities are best found through the 7.5km detour to Bromont or in Waterloo. After passing through Waterloo, your path leads you to a comfortable Auberge resting on the enchanting shores of Brome Lake.

Meals:  B

Today you should be prepared for some elevation changes as you pass through Eastman and the hilly terrain approaching the serene Mont-Orford National Park. Taking the 4 km out-and-back detour around Silver Lake near Eastman will reward you with spectacular hillside views. Please note that on the successive route to Magog some road cycling will be required in connecting between trail segments. Your route takes you through an exhilarating mountainous area and through a pass between Mount Alfred-DesRochers and Mount Chauve. Once you have reached Lake Memphremagog the town of Magog awaits.

Meals:  B

After a hearty breakfast, there is a potential winery detour that we recommend getting tickets to in advance while leaving Magog’s suburbs and the agricultural fields at the edge of town (note that wine tours are subject to operating hours). This is all followed by more pristine forest until you reach Magog Lake. The wooded areas around Magog and North Hatley are known for their wide variety of their ‘érablières’ and 'cabanes à sucre’ (or sugar bushes and sugar shacks) These pristine woods are where maple syrup and other maple products are produced in the early spring. Please note that this is followed by some more 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.

Meals:  B

Wake up to a full and hearty breakfast, with many choices from eggs, sausages and bacon to specialty crêpes and omelettes, and fruits or chocolate ganache. Your final stretch is a beautiful ride along the river and countryside between North Hatley and Sherbrooke. You will have time to enjoy yourself and relax in Sherbrooke before taking a shuttle back to Montréal with your bikes.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 6 nights in 3-star accommodation on a double occupancy basis
  • Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
  • Luggage transfers (1 piece per person 20 kg max)
  • Hybrid bicycle rental including helmet, repair kit, bike bag, rear rack and lock
  • Navigation APP inclusive of detailed route notes and points of interest
  • Emergency Hotline
  • C$50 per person donation to Trans Canada Trail

  • Optional electric-assist bicycle upgrade (extra cost, limited quantities)
  • Guide (this is a self-guided tour)
  • Lunch and Dinner unless listed otherwise (suggestions are provided)
  • Transfer within Montreal to the bike shop
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Airfare, visas, travel insurance (required)
  • Applicable taxes

Accommodation


Bike information


Suitability

Introductory to Moderate

4

Introductory to moderate. The Veloroute Gourmande is a moderate 235 km/146 miles trail and road cycling route that mostly makes use of bike paths, paved shoulders, and designated low-traffic road surfaces. Distances each day vary from 40 to 70km. Self guided walking or cycling requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!). Cyclists will be expected to know how to fix a flat tire and make basic adjustments to their bicycles using the included repair kit. Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. If you’ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of if as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7-day service hotline in the event of any problems.


Departure dates

Tuesdays and Fridays from mid-May through October 8

Notes

S
Surcharge

Want to organise a customised tour?

School groups, friends, family trips, corporate events or just tailoring a trip to suit your own needs - learn how you can tailor your own Customised Tour.

Priceper person from

$1290USD

* All prices subject to applicable taxes

Options & Supplements*
  • Electric Bike SupplementUSD$60
  • Festival Hotel SupplementUSD$70
  • Single SupplementUSD$610
  • Solo Traveller SupplementUSD$1040
* Prices listed are per person. All prices subject to applicable taxes.

Trip reviews


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Our Expertise

Everyone who works with us, from our office staff, ground staff and guides is the ‘’real deal’’. Our team is comprised of actual hikers and cyclists who have explored or live in the region in which you will be traveling. Our entire network is highly-specialised in active travel.

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Quality services at the best price make our active trips great value for money. Having essential items included like National Park fees, accommodations, most meals, bikes for cycling trips, maps and support for peace of mind. Our inclusions allow you to better budget for your big adventure.

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