Canada, Quebec: Lac Saint-Jean - the Blueberry Route Bike Tour
Six nights; Seven days. Easy cycling on the gentle bike paths and roads around Lac-Saint-Jean, following the Veloroute des Bluets – a section of Quebec’s Route Verte cycling network.
“… A highlight of our whole trip across Canada! We loved being looked after so well – food, lodging, itinerary, everything...” – Mia S.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Eat blueberries! – pies, chocolates, fresh berries…
- Enjoy scenic, easy cycling on Québec’s Route Verte.
- Manageable distances and easy terrain allow time for relaxing: swimming, hiking, museums, exhibits, bistros and microbreweries.
- Cycle through Pointe-Taillon Park, including the dedicated cyclist ferry.
- Two nights in the historic village of Val-Jalbert.
- Discover Métabetchouan Archaeological Centre.
- Experience Zoo Savage, where you are caged in a train and the animals run free!
- Explore the stunning Fairy Hole and trails at Parc le Trou de la Fée.
- Unwind at beautiful beaches along the way.
- Cycle paved lakeshore paths, with dedicated bike lanes and shoulders.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
This is an easy ride following paved bike paths (45%), bike shoulders (20%), and paved shoulders on roadways; (35%), with one short unpaved section through Pointe-Taillon Park which is compacted and well suited to cycling.
Daily Distance:
- 1: Arrival Québec City.
- 2: Québec City to Alma. ~37km (+215m / -230m).
- 3: Alma to Dolbeau-Mistassini. ~88km (+520m / -490m).
- 4: Dolbeau-Mistassini to Saint-Félicien. ~65km (+310m / -310m).
- 5: Saint-Félicien to Val Jalbert. ~40km (+190m / -180m).
- 6: Val-Jalbert & Parc le Trou de la Fée. ~62km (+640m / -640m).
- 7: Val-Jalbert to Metabetchouan ~25km (+180m / -210m).
(Click image to enlarge)
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: Hôtel Château Laurier, Québec City, 16:00, day one (independent arrival). Your support person(s) will meet you the morning of day two, 09:00. If you’d rather drive yourself, you have the option to drive directly to the starting point in Métabetchouan.
Finish: Québec City, 15:00, day seven.
Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.
Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.
DAY 1:
Arrival Québec City.
Arrive in Québec City at your leisure, where your pre-arranged room awaits. Your guide(s) will meet you early tomorrow morning. Take the opportunity to explore the art shops, galleries, historical quarters, and cafés of Old Québec. Other highlights include the Musée de la Civilisation, Le Château Frontenac, and La Citadelle de Québec, North America’s largest fort.
Hôtel Château Laurier, Québec City.DAY 2:
Québec City to Alma. ~37km (+215m / -230m).
Meet in Québec City this morning for an immediate transfer, approximately 2½ hours north, to La Plage Rigolet in Métabetchouan, where your biking adventure begins. Heading east, follow the Véloroute to enjoy stops at the fromagerie, bakery, and microbrewery in Saint-Gédéon. Continue riding into Alma, where you can explore the exhibits at L’Odyssée des Bâtisseurs before arriving at your inn, which offers stunning views of the Saguenay River.
Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.
La Maison du Matelot, or Gite Almatoit, Alma.DAY 3:
Alma to Dolbeau-Mistassini. ~88km (+520m / -490m).
The warm-up ride to Saint-Henri-de-Taillon leads you to one of the tour’s highlights: the traffic-free trails of Pointe-Taillon Park. This vast delta, formed by the Peribonka River at the end of the last ice age, features beautiful beaches, swimming opportunities, and a bicycle ferry linking you to Péribonka. From there, you’ll continue along the Véloroute to Dolbeau-Mistassini, where you can visit the Chutes du Père on the Mistassini River at the northern end of Lac Saint-Jean.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Motel Chute des Pères, Dolbeau-Mistassini. DAY 4:
Dolbeau-Mistassini to Saint-Félicien. ~65km (+310m / -310m).
Ride on paved shoulders and bike paths along the riverbank through the charming rural landscapes of Québec. Highlights include the Grand Jardins de Normandin, renowned for its stunning daylilies, the Normandin Bear Waterfall, and the farmhouse-style cheeses from the Normandinoise dairy. Arriving in Saint-Félicien early in the afternoon, you’ll have ample time to visit the Zoo Sauvage, where you ride in a caged train while the animals roam free. The bilingual interpretation on this excursion is exceptional, and it consistently receives rave reviews (plan to spend at least two hours here). Alternatively, you may prefer to relax at the nearby Chutes à Michel.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Hotel du Jardin, or Hotel de la Boréalie, Saint-Félicien.DAY 5:
Saint-Félicien to Val Jalbert. ~40km (+190m / -180m).
Follow the shore of Lac Saint-Jean to the Mashteuiatsh Native Museum where you can learn about the culture and heritage of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh people – natives of this area for more than 6000 years. Cycle through Roberval to the historic village at Val-Jalbert where you will feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, lodging in a beautifully reconstructed period home.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Val-Jalbert Historical Village, Chambord.DAY 6:
Val-Jalbert & Parc le Trou de la Fée. ~62km (+640m / -640m).
From Val-Jalbert, cycle along the Métabetchouan River to the bridge at Saint-André, then cross over to Parc le Trou de la Fée. Here, you can explore fascinating caverns, scenic walking trails, and a network of footbridges and suspension bridges. If you're up for some adrenaline, try the ziplines.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Same lodging.DAY 7:
Val-Jalbert to Metabetchouan ~25km (+180m / -210m).
After a short bike ride and a visit to the Métabetchouan Archaeological Centre, enjoy one last refreshing swim in the lake before the two-hour transfer back to Québec City. You’ll arrive by mid-afternoon, leaving you time to explore the city independently or continue to your next destination.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2026 DATES:
2027 DATES:
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(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: C 5895 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 4 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners, van and guide support, entrance fees to Pointe Taillon Park, Le Trou de la Fee, and Zoo Sauvage, luggage handling, maps, route instructions, 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.
Self-Guided: C 5595 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 4 breakfasts, inn to inn luggage transfers, all ground transportation as outlined, Parc le Trou de la Fee, maps, route instructions, on-call 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.
Single Occupancy: Add C 1245
Tour cost excludes airfare and travel to and from the starting point, costs for activities listed as optional, bar and beverage bills, meals not shown as included, gratuities for your driver and/or guides.
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid: Included
Flat bars. Trek FX 3 or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
Change to Road/Gravel: C 150
Drop bars. Trek Domane AL 5 Disc, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag.
Change to E-bike: C 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 departure, this usually involves a surcharge depending on the details. Those who prefer to travel self-guided typically need only two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and we can sometimes offer reduced rates for larger groups. Please get in touch for more information.
BEST TIMES
The best time to enjoy this tour is mid-June to mid-October.
- Spring daytimes warm up to 10 to 20 °C (50 to 70 °F) by mid June. Note that seasonal businesses may still be closed, or on off-season hours, until late June.
- Summer, mid June to mid September, is normally 20 to 25 °C (70 to 80 °F). Freshwater and saltwater swimming is encouraged.
- Autumn, mid September to mid October, daytimes 10 to 20 °C range (50 to 70 °F). Nights can be chilly, but rarely down to freezing. Mid-October is the best time to see spectacularly colorful fall foliage.
GET TO THE START
We recommend spending one or two nights in Québec City before or after your Freewheeling Adventure. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city offers excellent attractions, restaurants, and shopping.
Travel Options:
- By Air: Fly into Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) or Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL). From Montreal, you can take a Via Rail train (3–4 hours) or drive to Québec City (approx. 2 hours).
- By Car: Meet in Québec City on Day Two at 09:30 a.m. We can pick you up or arrange a meeting point. Alternatively, drive to the starting point at Gîte la Nymphe des Eaux, where you can begin and end your ride.
For assistance with lodging or other arrangements, feel free to contact us.
AFTER THE FINISH
Finish in Quebec City mid-afternoon of day seven.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
Explore Quebec City. See the recommendation in the “Getting to the Start” section, and call us for more detail. There is good hiking and sightseeing, for example, within half an hour at the Chutes de Montmorency. For a nice day’s ride, consider cycling the perimeter of Ile d’Orleans, just north of Quebec City.
If you have several days:
Extend your trip without leaving Quebec. You can link this tour with our Bas-Saint-Laurent Bike tour.