Canada, Québec: Montréal to Ottawa Laurentians Bike Tour
Five nights; six days of easy cycling between Montreal 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 trip went without hitch and exceeded our expectations. THANK YOU!” – Deborah & Benjamin.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- A largely traffic-free route, on level terrain with hilly Laurentians scenery!
- Many swimming opportunities.
- Tremblant Village, and its many distractions, including Mont Tremblant, up which you can take a gondola ride.
- Gatineau Park, with paved bike paths.
- Rural Quebecois cuisine, including maple syrup, great beer, fantastic cheese, aromatic bakeries, and generally wholesome meals.
- Finish in Ottawa, rich with museums, attractions, and more bike paths!
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
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:
- DAY 1: ~53 km or 71 km
- DAY 2: ~50 km
- DAY 3: ~55 km
- DAY 4: ~58 km
- DAY 5: ~77 km
- DAY 6: ~51 km
Québec: Montréal to Ottawa Laurentians Bike Tour – Elevation Profile:
(Click image to enlarge)
Québec: Montréal to Ottawa Laurentians 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: Montréal, Auberge Du Vieux Port, 09:00, day one.
Finish: Ottawa, 14:00, day six. Daily trains between Ottawa and Montreal are frequent and take approximately 2 hours; for schedules and fares click here.
Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.
Mont Rolland to Mont-Tremblant, ~53 km or 71 km
Meet your guides at 09:00 in Montreal, ready to ride. Transfer north to Mont-Rolland where you will begin bicycling Le P’tit Train du Nord. You will cycle through lush forests and may swim often in the many lakes and rivers alongside the bike path. The shorter ride starts at Val-David, where you can visit galleries of renowned local and international artists. Continue by bike to Mont-Tremblant where the village and surrounding area blooms during the summer with many activities to keep your energy high. LD (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips; self-guided trips include breakfast only unless otherwise noted).
Auberge Le Lupin, Mont Tremblant; or, Upgrade to Hotel Quintessence, Mont Tremblant; $350/per person/night
Mont-Tremblant Loop, ~50 km, optional afternoon activities
A loop ride following smoothly paved car free bike paths and quiet secondary roads around Mont Tremblant. Optional afternoon activities (pre-booking often required) include golfing on one of six fantastic courses, river rafting, hiking on one of many trails of varying degrees of difficulty, taking a gondola ride to the summit of Tremblant where you can admire the panoramic view from 2871 feet, sliding down the mountain on the alpine luge, or visiting one of many lakes where you can swim, paddle or just lounge on the beach. B
Same lodging
Mont-Tremblant to Nominingue, ~55 km
Today’s leisurely ride follows the paved trail along a lake and toward Haute-Laurentides and Nominingue. This village of 2500 is surrounded by lakes and rivers, and is adjacent to the wild beauty of the Rouge-Matawin and Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserves; the “feel” is beautiful. Local artists exhibit their work to cyclists every summer at the Canadian Pacific Railway station, and more locally prepared cuisine is your delicious reward for the day. BLD
Auberge Chez Ignace, Nominingue
Nominingue to Mont-Laurier, ~58 km, 45-minute transfer
This morning’s ride takes you to ‘the end of the line’ as you cycle to a picnic lunch at the northern terminus of le P’tit Train du Nord in Mont-Laurier. In the afternoon you’ll transfer to Maniwaki, a small town situated on the Gatineau River where you will rest for the night. BLD
Chateau Logue, Maniwaki
Véloroute des Draveurs, ~77 km
Begin cycling on the Véloroute des Draveurs toward the newly paved section in Farley. Pass (or swim in) the sparkling waters of Lac Blue Sea and take lunch in Gracefield. The véloroute continues unpaved to the community of Low where an optional transfer will whisk you to Wakefield. Energentic riders can choose to return to Wakefield by 25kms on shouldered road. BLD
The Wakefield Mill Spa & Inn; or, La Grange Country Inn, Wakefield
Wakefield through Gatineau Park, ~51 km, transfer into Ottawa
Ride from Wakefield alongside the Gatineau River into Gatineau Park and the panoramic views at Champlain Lookout. Descend from the lookout to the edge of the park for a short transfer into downtown Ottawa where your adventure concludes with delivery to your hotel of choice. You may choose to stay on and explore the nation’s capital independently or depart Ottawa by plane or train to your next destination. BL
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SCHEDULED DATES
2023 Guided:
- Jun 24-29
- Jul 22-27
- Aug 5-10
- Sep 9-14
2024 Guided:
- Jun 23-28
- Jul 21-26
- Aug 4-9
- Sep 8-13
Self-Guided available any dates, except for those listed above. New dates are also welcomed for guided or private departures.
PRICING
Guided: C 3455 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 6 days, 5 nights, 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners, guide and vehicle support, luggage handling, maps, route instructions, 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 3255 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 6 days, 5 nights, 5 breakfasts, inn to inn luggage transfers, maps, route instructions, essential transfers, on-call emergency support, 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: 925
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid: 165
Flat bars. Trek FX3 or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
Electric: 465
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 Laurentian Mountains north of Montreal provide a gorgeous scenic backdrop for a ride through valleys and forests, past fresh water lakes and pristine rivers. On this ride, you can savour the scenery without having to challenge the big hills! Le P’tit Train du Nord is a restored rail bed converted into a bike path that cuts through the heart of the Laurentians. It reaches north from Montreal through Mont Tremblant and well into rural Québec, from where you will descend toward Ottawa, enjoying the delightful bike paths through La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau and the splendor of Gatineau Park. This adventure takes you through many picturesque villages, and includes many opportunities to swim in gorgeous lakes and refreshing rivers as you cycle from one unique inn to the next. It finishes by following the delightfully traffic-free bike routes into Gatineau Park. We recommend planning extra time in Ottawa at the end of your adventure to take in some of the capital’s world-class museums, galleries, festivals, restaurants, and performances. This ride in Canada’s heartland connects two vibrant cities with a week of riding in bucolic beauty, with stops in very charming villages. We look forward to sharing both the peace and the excitement with you.
