With a 640-km network of bike paths, Montérégie is a choice destination for cyclists. Here are 5 itineraries for your next outings on two wheels!
La Route des Champs bike path
Want to combine the outdoors with your love of great food? La Route des Champs is your destination! With the many orchards, wineries and produce growers along the way, it offers a fun way to burn off any excess energy between several culinary stopovers. The path stretches 40 km between Chambly and Granby, passing through Richelieu and Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford, and is accessible to cyclists of all levels. Almost entirely flat, this route takes you through abundant nature, including fields and woodlands. You’ll find several Bienvenue cyclistes! establishments along the way. Extend your stay at a campsite or country inn like the enchanting Auberge Le Fruit Défendu. Not equipped to transport your bicycle to the area? Or maybe a friend wants to join you last-minute? Three local organizations offer free bike rentals.
Don’t miss:
– The apple blossoms in spring
– The view of Mont Rougemont and Mont Yamaska
– The heritage panels on the railway’s history
La Montérégiade bike path
La Montérégiade connects the two popular tourist destinations of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Granby (passing through Farnham on the way) and offers nearly 50 km of bucolic countryside in the heart of nature. With landscapes including woodlands and corn and soybean fields, this regional gem is a great option for recharging in nature. Visit (or re-visit!) Vieux-Saint-Jean and its terraces along the Chambly Canal or Parc Daniel-Johnson in Granby. And why not plan a stop at the Farnham Ale & Lager microbrewery mid-ride? And if you’re looking for a longer trip, the Centre-Est Loop continues along the Chambly Canal path and La Route des champs. A number of Bienvenue cyclistes! establishments are located along the route.
Don’t miss:
– The new Circuit d’un cheminot à vélo video podcast [in French] to learn about the history of the old railroad and train station
– Exploring Vieux-Saint-Jean
La Campagnarde bike path
La Campagnarde connects the Centre-du-Québec, Montérégie and Eastern Townships regions and is an ideal choice for getting out in nature. Make your visit all the more enjoyable with a stop at the various nearby parks, such as the stunning Parc de la Yamaska, Parc Larivière and its waterfalls, or Parc Donald-Martin in Acton Vale. Parc Larivière also offers history buffs a way to learn more about the old sawmill, which operated until 1980, with an interpretation panel and some of its former equipment on display.
Don’t miss:
– The surrounding nature
– The Village-relais of Acton-Vale
– Roxton Falls
Le réseau cyclable de la Montérégie-Ouest (bike paths and road)
Be swept away by the beauty of this cycling network that skirts several bodies of water and passes through three regional parks. Whether you’re a beginner or expert cyclist, this network of flat paved paths offers something for everyone with many interpretation stops and observation areas. Discover the attractions, villages and landscapes of Montérégie-West, only a few kilometres from the island of Montréal. This circuit even offers you the option of taking a river shuttle between Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and Les Cèdres. You can take a well-deserved break on the water before continuing your ride.
Don’t miss:
– Cycling along the canals
– The Beauharnois Generating Station
– Lake Saint-François bay
– The diverse landscape
Circuit des Vallons de la Yamaska (road circuit)
End your trip with a visit to the various attractions of Saint-Hyacinthe, the perfect place to complete this 100-km circuit. Wind down with a beer in the charming downtown area at Le Bilpub microbrewery and a stop to Le 1555 Marché Public. The circuit, which mainly runs along the shores of Yamaska River, offers great countryside views of Les Maskoutains and its valleys as it passes through great stopover locations like Saint-Jude, Saint-David, Saint-Hugues and Saint-Simon.
Don’t miss:
– Le 1555 Marché Public
– Jardin Daniel A. Séguin
– Restaurant Les Fourchettes Vagabondes
Looking for more suggestions? Download or order a hard copy of Montérégie’s bicycle touring magazine. Here
