Canada, Québec: Gaspé Peninsula Bike Tour
Seven nights; eight days of cycling on the Route Verte roads and trails around the sea cliffs of the St. Lawrence River and the shores of the Gaspé Peninsula
“You are running the most fabulous professional organization and our trip went without hitch and exceeded our expectations.” – Deborah & Benjamin K.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- The ride on Gaspé’s north shore is one of the most spectacular anywhere – challenging hills followed by serpentine, level rides at the water’s edge.
- Chic-Choc Mountains, where the Appalachian chain ends in the sea.
- Percé Rock and its natural stone arch.
- One day of Cascapedia riverside riding, downstream. Beautiful.
- Acadian culture, in a very Francophonic area.
- Cap Forillon National Park.
- Parc National de la Gaspésie.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Long, sometimes very hilly rides along paved coastal roads and through national parks. There are a couple of short bike paths, but the ride is almost entirely on paved roads. Less energetic participants may want to take advantage of e-bikes, or van support during the long stretches. It is possible, with long cycling days, to ride this entire loop without needing to get into the support vehicle.Lodging varies from simple B&Bs to the rustically elegant Gite du Mont Albert.
Daily Distance:
- DAY 1: Introductions
- DAY 2: Up to 115 km
- DAY 3: ~74 km
- DAY 4: ~78 km
- DAY 5: ~81 km
- DAY 6: ~95 km
- DAY 7: Up to 150 km
- DAY 8: ~100km
Québec: Gaspé Peninsula Bike Tour – Elevation Profile:
(Click image to enlarge)
Québec: Gaspé Peninsula Bike Tour
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec, 17:30, day one.
Optional transfer from Moncton International Airport, Moncton, New Brunswick, 4 hours, departs 13:00 on day one; $75 per person/return. You may also arrive by train to Matapédia (http://www.viarail.ca/en), then take bus 44 to Carelton-sur-Mer (http://regim.info/voyage/44-maria-matapedia)
Finish: Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec. Transfer to Moncton departs approximately 15:00 and arrives at Moncton International Airport by 20:00, day eight.
Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.
Arrivals and introductions
Transfer from Moncton, New Brunswick or meet in Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec. Founded in the mid 18th century by a small group of exiled Acadian families, Carleton-sur-Mer is a beachside town on Gaspé’s southern coast. Bike introductions and a short ride to Pointe Tracadigash will precede dinner. When staying in Carleton-sur-Mer, you may have the opportunity to attend a show at the Quai des Arts, a cultural and performing arts center that attracts local and international acts. Ask us for performance details and schedules, and for help purchasing tickets on your behalf. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips only. Self-guided trips include breakfasts only).
Le Manoir Belle Plage, Carleton-sur-Mer; or Auberge du Chateau Bahia, Pointe-à-la-Garde
Carleton-Sur-Mer to Port-Daniel, up to 115 km
Cycle along the southern shore toward Port-Daniel – a historical railway community, passing through the quaint fishing villages of Caplan, Saint-Simeon, and Hope. This is a long ride, with vehicle pickup once you have covered your desired distance. BLD
Le Manoir du Vieux Presbytère; or Bleu sur Mer, Port-Daniel
Port-Daniel to Percé, ~74 km
Ride through Newport, Pablos, and Cap-d’Espoir on your way to Percé, where you will find Gaspé’s most intriguing geological feature. Rocher Percé is a huge sheer rock formation whose 15m arch is one of the world’s largest natural arches in water. Named by Samuel du Champlain, Rocher Percé is associated with a Quebecois legend of star-crossed lovers. Spend your evening with views of the poetic landmark of Bonaventure Island, home to over 300 bird species. B
Hôtel la Normandie; or Au Pic de L’aurore; or Riôtel Percé , Percé
Perce to Gaspé, ~78 km
Cycle along coastal roads to the cradle of French America – Gaspé township, where Jacques Cartier took possession of New France almost 500 years ago. Visit the historical sites, and make a stop at the windmill factory. BL
Auberge Sous les Arbres; or, Hotel Plante , Gaspé
Gaspé to Cap-Forillon and back, ~81 km
Today’s spur and loop ride will lead you out of Gaspe Harbour and along the magnificent coastline past Cap-aux-Os beach and out to the Grande-Grave Formation – a beautiful spit of land which preserves fossils dating back to the Devonian period. This is Forillon National Park – Quebec’s oldest, and provides a day most remember as the highlight of their visit. BL
Same lodging
Gaspé to Grand Vallee, ~95 km
Starting with a familiar ride, turn north towards Riviere-au-Renard, a French and Irish settlement, cutting off the cape you rode yesterday. This is the end of the Gaspe Peninsula and marks the continental end of the Appalachian mountain range, whose Southern end is in Florida! The shore here is dominated by sea-cliffs and vast panoramas. BD
Hotel Grande-Vallée des Monts, Grande-Vallée
Grande Vallee to Mont Albert, up to 150 km
Ride through Haute-Gaspésie – “the top of the Gaspe” – with the highest peaks, and incredible scenery. From a lunch break near Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, you will head inland into Parc National de la Gaspésie, where you will finish your ride beside Mont Albert of the Chic Choc Mountains, uplifted 480 million years ago with the formation of the Appalachians. There is a herd of caribou nearby. BLD
Gite du Mont Albert, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Mont Albert to New Richmond, ~100 km, return transfer to Moncton
An early start will help you conquer the remainder of the traverse through the Parc National de la Gaspésie and through les Monts Chic-Chocs. You may enjoy a rare sighting of the only caribou herd found south of the St. Lawrence River. After the initial climb, you can coast for a delightfully long and beautiful ride beside the Cascapedia River, through Gaspe’s rugged interior towards the Baie-des-Chaleurs – the “Bay of Warmth”. Fast cyclists may make it all the way to Carleton-sur-Mer before 15:00 when the complimentary transfer to Moncton is scheduled to depart. BL
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SCHEDULED DATES
2024 Guided:
- Jul 6-13
- Aug 10-17
- Sep 7-14
Self-Guided available any dates, except for those listed above. New dates are also welcomed for guided or private departures.
PRICING
Guided: C 4685 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, boat tour, luggage handling, maps, route instructions, vehicle and full time guide support, hybrid bicycle rental, 15% sales tax
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Complimentary extra night at final lodging available to those driving to this tour. Ask us for details.
Self-Guided: C 4165 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 6 breakfasts, inn to inn luggage transfers, maps, route instructions, essential transfers, on-call emergency support, hybrid bicycle rental, 15% sales tax
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Complimentary extra night at final lodging available to those driving to this tour. Ask us for details.
Single Occupancy: 1045
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid: Included
Flat bars. Trek FX3 or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
Upgrade to Road: 150
Drop bars. Trek Domane AL5, SL5, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag (no rack/bag on carbon frames).
Upgrade to E-bike: 300
Flat bars. Trek Verve+ 2 or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
More Reading:
The Gaspé Peninsula is where the Appalachian mountain range finally disappears in to the sea, creating some fabulously scenic coastal places. This bike trip passes through villages and towns with rich folklore in a remote place. The cycling begins on the south side of the peninsula, and progresses past Percé with its iconic arched rock, and Forillon – the real end of the Appalachians – to the real beauty of the north shore. This is where cliffs descend to the river, and the road keeps you close to the water for a glorious ride along its banks. To finish the loop, you will climb gently to a fabulous lodge in the Chic Choc Mountains, and enjoy a final day of riding downhill along the wild Cascapedia River for many miles back to the southern coast. After a hiatus of many years, we are happy to be able to offer this itinerary again!
