Canada, Quebec: Montréal to Ottawa Laurentians Bike Tour
Six nights; seven days of easy cycling between Montréal and Ottawa on paved bike paths, including Le P’tit Train du Nord, and quiet country roads.
“You are running the most fabulous professional organization. Our Montreal to Ottawa Bike trip went without hitch and exceeded our expectations. Thank you!” - Deborah & Benjamin.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Follow one of Québec’s most scenic and established cycling routes, largely traffic-free, with long stretches of forest, riverside riding, and gentle rail-trail grades.
- Enjoy frequent opportunities for freshwater swims in clear Laurentian lakes and quiet rivers.
- Spend time in Tremblant Village, where gondola rides, lakefront paths, cafés, and galleries offer an easy afternoon off the bike.
- Ride through Gatineau Park, a protected landscape of rolling forest and wide-ranging viewpoints, including Champlain Lookout.
- Savour rural Québécois cuisine - maple-forward dishes, artisanal cheeses, good local beer, and excellent bakeries.
- Conclude your journey in Ottawa, with its riverside paths, museums, and lively markets, all easy to explore on foot or by bike.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
An easy ride on relatively flat terrain with very gradual descents and inclines, until the final day when the topography becomes hilly. Some of the route is paved, and some on crushed stone. Road bikes are not advised unless equipped for unpaved surfaces. Most of the route is traffic-free.
Daily Distance:
- 1: Saint-Jérôme to Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts ~55km (+600m / -300m).
- 2: Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts to Mont-Tremblant ~54km (+350m / -500m).
- 3: Mont-Tremblant Loop ~52km (+500m / -500m).
- 4: Mont-Tremblant to Nominingue ~55km (+300m / -300m).
- 5: Maniwaki to Low ~37km (+250m / -250m) or ~76km (+400m / -450m).
- 6: Wakefield Loop ~30km (+400m / -400m).
- 7: Wakefield through Gatineau Park ~51km (+700m / -750m), transfer into Ottawa.
(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: Montréal, Hotel St Paul, 09:00, day one.
Finish: Ottawa, 14:00, day seven. Daily trains between Ottawa and Montréal are frequent, with a travel time of approximately two hours. Advance booking is highly recommended at Via Rail.
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:
Saint-Jérôme to Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts ~55km (+600m / -300m).
Meet this morning in Montréal for a transfer north to Saint-Jérôme, where you will begin cycling on Le P’tit Train du Nord. From the edge of suburbia, follow the car-free pathway through lush forests and alongside the Rivière du Nord toward Val-David, where you can visit galleries featuring works by renowned local and international artists. Continue by bike to Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, a popular cottage destination for generations of families.
Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.
Stonehaven Le Manoir, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts.DAY 2:
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts to Mont-Tremblant ~54km (+350m / -500m).
Enjoy a leisurely ride today, cycling north along Le P’tit Train du Nord to Mont-Tremblant, where the village and surrounding area come alive in summer with a variety of activities to choose from. An early afternoon arrival at Tremblant allows time for swimming, rafting, gondola rides, hiking, or exploring the village’s shops and galleries.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Auberge Le Lupin, or Hotel Quintessence (optional upgrade), Mont-Tremblant.DAY 3:
Mont-Tremblant Loop ~52km (+500m / -500m).
Your loop ride today follows smoothly paved bike paths and quiet secondary roads around Mont-Tremblant. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace, with optional activities (pre-booking often required) such as golfing on one of six nearby courses, river rafting, hiking on trails of varying difficulty, taking a gondola ride to the summit of Tremblant for panoramic views from 2,871 feet, sliding down the alpine luge, or relaxing beside one of the many lakes where you can swim or paddle.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
Same lodging.DAY 4:
Mont-Tremblant to Nominingue ~55km (+300m / -300m).
Ride along the paved riverside trail toward Haute-Laurentides and the village of Nominingue. Surrounded by lakes and rivers and adjacent to the wild beauty of the Rouge-Matawin and Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserves, Nominingue is a peaceful and picturesque destination. Local artists display their work each summer at the historic Canadian Pacific Railway station.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Golf Nominingue, Nominingue.DAY 5:
Maniwaki to Low ~37km (+250m / -250m) or ~76km (+400m / -450m).
Begin with a 1½-hour transfer to Maniwaki, where you’ll start cycling the smoothly paved Véloroute des Draveurs toward Gracefield. Along the way, pass the sparkling waters of Lac Blue Sea, a fantastic swimming spot, and stop for lunch in Gracefield. The paved véloroute ends in Gracefield, but those seeking an extra challenge can continue on the unpaved path to Low. Later in the afternoon, transfer to Wakefield, a charming town on the Gatineau River, where you’ll stay for the next two nights.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
The Wakefield Mill Spa & Inn, Wakefield.DAY 6:
Wakefield Loop ~30km (+400m / -400m).
Wakefield is a lively village with a vibrant scene of cafés, galleries, and pubs. This morning’s short, mostly unpaved loop ride leaves plenty of time for afternoon activities, such as spa sessions (pre-booking required), biking or hiking to Lusk Cave, swimming at Lac Philippe, exploring the water maze at Éco-Odyssée, or simply browsing the local shops.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner.
Same lodging.DAY 7:
Wakefield through Gatineau Park ~51km (+700m / -750m), transfer into Ottawa.
Depart Wakefield by bike, following the river into Gatineau Park and enjoying panoramic views from Champlain Lookout. Descend from the lookout to the park’s edge for a short transfer into downtown Ottawa, where your adventure concludes with drop-off at your hotel of choice. Ottawa’s museums, riverside paths, and lively ByWard Market make it a great place to extend your stay.
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 5945 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, guided and vehicle support, luggage handling, maps, route instructions, hybrid bicycle, 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, 6 breakfasts, welcome briefing, inn to inn luggage transfers, essential transfers, maps, route instructions, 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.
Single Occupancy: Add C 1295
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 FX3 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 suggest you plan to spend one or two nights in Montréal before or Ottawa after your Freewheeling Adventure.
If you are arriving by air: We recommend you fly in to Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL). From there, it’s an easy taxi or rideshare into the city. The standard meeting place is Hotel St Paul at 09:00 on Day One.
If you drive: Plan to meet at Hotel St Paul. Your hotel can help arrange parking for the week, and we’re happy to assist with options if needed. Montréal is approximately 800 km from both New York and Toronto.
AFTER THE FINISH
Ottawa, 14:00, day seven. Daily trains between Ottawa and Montréal run frequently, with a travel time of about two hours.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day: Visit Montréal
Montréal blends European elegance with modern North American energy, creating a city that feels both grounded in history and very much alive today. Its old stone lanes, lively neighbourhoods, and layered cultural influences give it a character found nowhere else in Canada. Wander the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, explore museums and galleries, or simply enjoy the rhythm of a city where French and English traditions meet in everyday life.
Definitely try a smoked meat sandwich in Montréal.
It isn’t pastrami. Montréal’s smoked meat has its own method, spice blend, and unmistakable flavour—best enjoyed piled high on rye with mustard. The city’s bagels are just as iconic: smaller, denser, lightly sweet, and baked in wood-fired ovens that you can often watch in action as you wait.
If you have several days:
Extend your trip without leaving Québec. You can link this tour with other tours we operate in the province.
MORE READING
The Laurentian Mountains north of Montréal create a beautiful backdrop for cycling through quiet valleys, forests, freshwater lakes, and clear rivers. Thanks to the gentle grades of Le P’tit Train du Nord, a former rail line converted into a bike path, you can enjoy classic Laurentian scenery without tackling steep climbs. The route carries you north through Mont Tremblant and into rural Québec before you begin the gradual descent toward Ottawa, following bike paths through La Vallée de la Gatineau and the broad forest landscapes of Gatineau Park. Along the way you will pass through several picturesque villages and have many opportunities to swim in lakes and rivers. The ride finishes on the traffic-free paths leading into Gatineau Park, and we encourage planning extra time in Ottawa to explore the capital’s museums, galleries, festivals, restaurants, and riverside neighbourhoods. This journey connects two lively cities with a week of easy riding through some of Québec’s most appealing countryside, and we look forward to sharing it with you on our Montréal to Ottawa Bike Tour.