This is an easier trip than most, on a mix of paved and unpaved roads and bicycle pathways. While most of the route follows the shore of the St. Lawrence River, there are some hills and van support will be abundant. Expect to ride on hard pack gravel and dirt roads on Ile Verte, well suited for hybrid bicycles.
Québec: Bike Bas-Saint-Laurent
A moderately easy seven-day cycling adventure on quiet paved roads and bike paths, along the “Navigator’s Route’’ - the south shore of the fleuve Saint-Laurent. Includes several of “The Most Beautiful Villages of Québec,” and is gastronomically superb.
This adventure follows easy cycling terrain through a viscerally french, historic area known as the Navigator’s Route. Most of the roads are now paved and well-signposted, but you will follow the same path as the first explorers: Jacques Cartier, and founder of Québec City, Samuel de Champlain. The gently rolling, quiet country roads on the southern shore of the mighty Saint Lawrence River takes you to quaint Québeçois villages including five of the ‘25 Most Beautiful Villages in the Province’, and a progression of gastronomic pleasures. You will rest in truly unique places, from the lighthouse on Île Verte, to a cozy, wood-floored mansion set among beautiful gardens. In Trois Pistoles, when the fog rolls in from the river, the jazz bar becomes a favourite retreat, and your idiosyncratic inn will charm you with its rural flair. According to local lore, this is where you can meet the devil if you visit the cross in the gleam of the full moon. As you cycle along the St. Lawrence River’s banks, observing the shorebirds and wildlife, admiring the waterfront homes reminiscent of turn-of-the-century seaside resorts, and marvelling at the traditional eel nets reaching out to sea, you might even catch a glimpse of passing whales. In the evening, you can enjoy the sun setting over the Charlevoix Mountains north of the river - rated by the National Geographic as one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
The Plan:
Day 1: Québec City to L’Islet.
The tour starts with a complimentary late afternoon transfer (one hour) from the Québec City Airport or Auberge Saint Antoine (www.saint-antoine.com) to L’Islet, near the gateway to Bas-Saint-Laurent. Introductions and bike familiarization can precede dinner. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
Auberge des Glacis, L’Islet, www.aubergedesglacis.com
Day 2: L’Islet or La Pocatière to Kamouraska 50km (31 mi); 90km (50 mi) advanced option. Follow quiet country roads to St Pacôme, the first of several of Québec’s “25 Most Beautiful Villages” you will ride through this week. Follow the banks of the St. Lawrence, one of the biggest rivers in the world, to Kamouraska, famous for its medieval festival and the archipelago off its shores. The water retreats so far at low tide that some of the islands can be reached on foot. Try not to get caught by the rising tide, or you’ll spend the night alone! BL
La Grande Voile, Kamouraska, www.lagrandvoile.ca
Day 3: Kamouraska to Notre Dame du Portage 48km (30 mi).
Leave Kamouraska for some coastal and rural riding to St André. Stop for lunch at ‘les Battures Ecologiques’, and enjoy a spectacular view of the Laurentian Mountains. Follow the flow of the river to Notre Dame-du-Portage, another of ‘the Most Beautiful Villages in Québec, and the end of the great canoe portage between the St. Lawrence River and Acadia - the Maritime Provinces. BLD
Auberge du Portage, www.aubergeduportage.qc.ca; or
Auberge sur Mer, Notre Dame du Portage, www.quebecweb.com/aubergesurmer.com; or
Le P’tit Paradis, Notre Dame du Portage, www.petitparadis.qc.ca
Day 4: Notre Dame du Portage to Ile Verte 40 km (25mi) + options. Today’s ride takes you to Cacouna, another of Québec’s Most Beautiful Villages. Its name derived from an Indian word for “land of the porcupine’’. Along the coast, you may catch sight of the whales frequently seen offshore. Better viewing is sometimes the reward as you cross the ferry to step back in time on Ile Verte, an island of 45 inhabitants. You will stay in the oldest lighthouse keeper’s residence in the province. The island is renowned for its salt marsh lamb, raised by a resident non-profit co-op. The salt marsh gives the meat a distinctive flavour, unique but similar to that of lamb raised on the salt flats near Mont St. Michel in Brittany, France. BD
La Maison du Phare, Île Verte, www.ileverte.net/maisonsduphare; or
Gîte Au Chant du Coq, Île Verte, www.chantducoq.com
Day 5: Ile Verte to Trois Pistoles 55km (35mi) + options.
Enjoy the peaceful roads of Ile Verte, then take the ferry back to the mainland and cycle to Trois-Pistoles, marked by the tall steeple of the enormous church of Notre Dame-des-Neiges. Cycle the green forest path to see waterfalls, and then follow the Trois Pistoles River back to the St. Lawrence. Stop at the government wharf to take in the view of Ile aux Basques, where Basque fishermen rendered whale fat long before Jacques Cartier arrived. BL
Auberge le Bocage des 2 Gamins, Trois-Pistoles, www.aubergelebocagedes2gamins.com; or
Le Gîte la Rose des Vents, Trois-Pistoles, www.gites-classifies.qc.ca/rosven.htm
Day 6: Trois Pistoles to Le Bic 60 km (38mi).
Inland exploration of The Basque Highlands followed by a stop to stock up on local specialties such as maple-based drinks. Enjoy the spectacular look off on your way to Saint Fabien, home to the wild falcons frequently seen flying from the cliffs. Then cycle to the village of Bic, and enjoy the miles of hiking/biking trails in Le Bic Provincial Park. Dinner is included even on self-guided trips. BLD
Le Mange Grenouille, Le Bic, www.aubergedumangegrenouille.qc.ca
Day 7: Le Bic exploration, or optional trip to Métis Gardens, followed by a return to Québec City by approximately 17:00. B
The Details:
| Start: | Quebec City Airport, 15:30 day one, or Auberge Saint Antoine at 16:00 www.saint-antoine.com |
| Finish: | Quebec City Airport, 17:30 day seven or Auberge Saint Antoine at 17:00. |
| Guided Cost: | $2595 (per person, includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, ferry to and from Ile Verte, luggage handling, full-time guide, van support, maps and route notes) |
| Self-Guided Cost: | $2295 (per person, includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner, luggage transfers, essential transfers, maps and route notes, emergency support) |
| Single occupancy: | $445 |
| Bicycle Rental: | Hybrid: $145. Racing bikes are not recommended. |
| 2010 Guided Dates: | Jun 6-12; Jul 4-10; Jul 18-24; Aug 1-7; Aug 15-21; Sep 5-11; Sep 19-25. Call 800-672-0775 for guaranteed departures or to add your own new departure. |
| Self-Guided Dates: | You choose! Best times are mid-May (spring flowers, maple syrup) to mid-October (autumn leaves) |
| Similar Trips: | Quebec: Eastern Townships or Nova Scotia: South Shore Secrets |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice. 5% sales tax applies, but a 50% refund will be applied for non-Canadians.
