Cycling in the Petite Nation

Cycl-O Route de la Rivière Outaouais

A must for road bike enthusiasts! This 87 km loop, part of the famous Route verte, starts in Thurso. Following the majestic Ottawa River, the route passes through Papineauville and on to the irresistibly charming village of Montebello. Want to extend your adventure? Take the ferry to Thurso or Fassett to discover the Ontario shore, before returning to Petite Nation. This tour, which alternates panoramic scenery, gourmet stops and heritage treasures, offers a perfect balance between performance and pleasure. With every pedal stroke, a new surprise awaits you - a bucolic setting, a tasty stop or an inspiring encounter. A true sports hike to be enjoyed at your own pace.

Cycl-O Route

Practical info:

• Starting point: Thurso town hall, where you can admire the bronze statue of local field hockey legend Guy Lafleur. Looking for a good breakfast to start the day, head for Café Bistro Léo.
• Gourmet break: stop off at Patalou's, a true paradise for ice cream lovers, with over 100 flavours of soft cream ice cream!
• Cultural discovery: Discover Montebello's artists and artisans, and break bread at Montebello, where there's something for everyone!

👉 cycloroute.ca

Mountain biking

Montebello Vélo de Montagne

Explore a network of 25 km trails in summer and 30 km in winter on the historic lands of Louis-Joseph Papineau. Whether you're a beginner or an expert mountain biker, these trails offer exhilarating descents and magnificent views.

Practical info:

• Bike rental available on site
• Accommodation : Live the Vanlife at Montebello Vélo de Montagne
• After the effort: head for Le Bankeur, the Brasseurs de Montebello brewery.

👉 montebellovelo.com

Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon

Ripon's Parc des Montagnes Noires offers many kilometers of trails for mountain bikers. The park also features a bikepark with wooden modules for developing various cycling skills, suitable for ages 8 and up.

Practical info:

• Other on-site activities: hiking, wildlife observation and panoramic viewpoint.
• Lodging: Live the Vanlife at BlackParc des Montagnes
• For a well-deserved break, stop by Café des orties.

👉 parcdesmontagnesnoires.ca

Parc récréatif de la Maskinongé

Discover nearly 20 kilometers of trails in Lac-des-Plages at the Parc récréatif de la Maskinongéwhere nature is at its best. The trails start next to the cemetery, offering a picturesque adventure.

Practical info:

• After your bike ride, why not stop off at the Ranch d'Amérique for your bbq dinner, where you'll find a wide selection of game meats.

👉 lacdesplages.com

Gravel bike

The gravel roads of the Petite Nation are a veritable playground for off-the-beaten-track enthusiasts. Let yourself be surprised by these bucolic roads.

👉 To plan your next outing gravelmap.com

Family cycling

Louis-Joseph-Papineau trail

This 10 km cycling route, from Saint-André-Avellin to Saint-Sixte, is perfect for intermediate cyclists. Covered in rock dust, it offers varied landscapes and magnificent panoramic views.

Practical info :

• Bike rentals available atAuberge Petite-Nation and Saint-André-Avellin campground.
• For a gourmet break: After your hike, why not take advantage of one of Saint-André's many restaurants!

👉 In detail

For a historical stroll

Ride this 20 km family bike path on gravel tracks, laid out on the former Singer to Duhamel railroad line.

Practical info:

• Departure from Centre Touristique du Lac-Simon or Carrefour Duhamellois
• Bike rental available at Carrefour Duhamellois
• Want to extend your experience? A wide range of accommodation is available in Duhamel.

👉 In detail