Quebec: Bike the Eastern Townships
Seven days. Hilly cycling through Quebec’s lovely south, with luxurious lodging, outstanding cuisine and the prettiest forests and farmscapes in Central Canada.
The Eastern Townships of Quebec combine the convenience of access from Montreal with the true pleasures of Quebeçois tradition and culture, and a largely Anglophone culture. Outstanding cuisine is being discovered, and the quiet roads, charming towns and green pastures are a perfect canvas for this exquisite holiday. The flavours and luxuries will pervade your senses and lead you to a deep appreciation for the townships, known locally as L’Estrie. Starting in the vineyard region near Dunham, you will ride through woods and villages past stone churches toward Sutton, and can stop for great bowls of café-au-lait and rich croissants at a fabulous bakery on the way. At L’Abbaye St-Benoît-du-Lac, you can try the cider and cheese made by monks in their picturesque lakeshore monastery. Circumnavigating Lac Memphremagog, you will enjoy splendid views on your way to a particularly luxurious final two nights, where the dinners are among the most highly rated in Canada. Transfers back to Montreal or other connection points will be available on the final day, with an optional stop en route at Arbre Aventure for a thrilling high-ropes course, or for those not wishing to conquer their fear of heights, a less frightening walk up or around Mont Orford. Be careful! Not only will this adventure spoil your palate for things more mundane, but the local joie-de-vivre easily rubs off on visitors, and is likely to send you to new heights of lively appreciation for all the Townships have to offer.
The Plan:
Day 1: 30km/19 miles
Meet your guides in Montreal at 14:00 for a one-hour transfer to Dunham, introductions, bike familiarization, and an optional 30km loop ride. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
Aux Douces Heures, Dunham, www.giteetaubergedupassant.com/doucesheures
Day 2: 48km-65km/30-41miles
Ride along the Vineland Route to Sutton, passing five vineyards in the first ten kilometers alone! The rolling landscape becomes progressively hillier as you pass through several quiet towns, cross a covered bridge, and enjoy beautiful tree-lined roads around Pigeon Hill before riding down to Frelighsburg for a picnic and a visit to the bakery. After lunch, ride to Abercorn and follow the scenic route along the Canada-US border. BLD
Auberge Knowlton, Lac Brome, www.aubergeknowlton.com; or
Auberge le St. Amour, Sutton, www.auberge-st-amour.com
Day 3: 95km/59 miles
Touch the US border again, as you ride through beautiful Glen Sutton and along the Missisquoi River. In Bolton Centre you can cool your feet in a pleasant river before continuing to the Abbey of St-Benoît-du-Lac (www.st-benoit-du-lac.com) where for lunch you can sample and buy cider and cheese made by the monks. Continue riding north around Lake Memphremagog, perhaps stopping at the labyrinth in Magog before finding your comfortable inn. BLD
Manoir de la Rue Merry, Magog, www.manoirmerry.com
Day 4: 32-58km/20-36 miles, or optional golf (extra cost)
This is a day to explore the trails to waterfalls in Mont Orford National Park, the Memphremagog labyrinth at Magog, and the network of cycling paths that connect them. Options include a hike at Mount Orford and a visit to Arbre Aventure www.arbreaventure.ca/english.php for a zip line adventure high in the trees. Punctuate the day with swims in the lake, and deciding which of several excellent options you will choose for dinner. B
Same lodging
Day 5: 60km/37 miles
Ride the converted rail bed across rolling farmland with tremendous vistas to Ayer’s Cliff, then coast down a long hill to the top of Lac Massawippi in North Hatley, where the Pilsen Pub serves its own excellent draught (www.pilsen.ca). Finish at a sumptuous Relais & Chateaux inn. BD
Manoir Hovey, North Hatley, www.manoirhovey.com
Day 6: 80km/48 miles
Ride past two more covered bridges to the Capelton Mines. Follow the rail trail to lunch at yet another covered bridge or the Louis St. Laurent National Historic Site, then return to enjoy your lakefront lodge via Hartley and Massawippi. BLD
Same lodging
Day 7:
Morning transfer 90 minutes back to Montreal. B
The Details:
| Start: | Hotel Gault, Montreal 14:00, day one (www.hotelgault.com). Pickup at Montreal Trudeau airport available at 13:00 $35pp |
| Finish: | Hotel Gault, Montreal 11:00, day seven. Transfer available to Montreal Trudeau airport for arrival by noon $35pp |
| Guided Cost: | $2695 (per person, includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners, luggage handling, maps and route notes, van and full-time guide) |
| Self-Guided Cost: | $2295 (includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 2 dinners, luggage transfers, maps and route notes, essential transfers, and emergency support) |
| Single Occupancy: | $510 |
| Bicycle Rental: | Touring hybrid: $145 |
| 2010 Guided Dates: | Sep 12-18; Oct 3-9. Call 800-672-0775 for guaranteed departure, updates or to add a new departure |
| 2011 Guided Dates: | Jun 12-18; Jul 10-16; Aug 7-13; Aug 21-27; Sep 4-10; Oct 2-8. Call 800-672-0775 for guaranteed departure, updates or to add a new departure |
| Self-Guided Dates: | You choose! Best times are mid-May (spring flowers, maple syrup) to mid-October (autumn leaves) |
| Similar Trips: | Quebec: Bas Saint Laurent or Quebec: Saguenay |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice. 5% sales tax applies, but a 50% refund will be applied for non-Canadians.
