The Season of Colors by Bike: Five Routes to Enjoy Quebec's Fall
Every fall, Quebec treats us to a unique spectacle. The maple trees turn red and orange, the birches take on golden hues, and the mountains, valleys, and riverbanks begin to resemble a vast, living canvas. This spectacle, which attracts visitors from all over the world, is part of what makes our region so unique: few places offer such a rich palette of colors across such a vast and diverse landscape.
And if there’s one special way to admire this display of colors, it’s certainly from the saddle of our bike! Cycling lets you slow down, stop wherever you like, feel the crisp fall air, and reach viewpoints that you can truly appreciate only by getting there under your own steam. Even a grueling climb can sometimes be the gateway to a memorable panorama!
Here are five suggested routes to help you fully enjoy this spectacle. Whether you’re a fan of road biking, touring, gravel biking, adventure biking, or cycle touring: each region offers its own unique way to experience the fall foliage season, with gourmet stops, scenic viewpoints, and villages to discover along the way.
1. The Flavors of Gravel
Region: Eastern
Townships Activity: Adventure Cycling
Duration: 3 stages
Distance: 240 km
Fall in the Eastern Townships needs no introduction. The wooded hills shimmer in the lakes, creating a true masterpiece of flamboyant colors. It is against this backdrop that you can explore La Gravelée des saveurs, a 240-km adventure cycling loop divided into 3 stages ranging from 58 to 94 km, starting in Sutton. The route, classified as difficult with an elevation gain of 2,546 m, consists of 65% unpaved surfaces—enough to fully immerse yourself in forest trails and country lanes. You can choose to do a single stage, two stages, or the entire route, depending on the time and energy you have available.
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The experience focuses as much on the athletic challenge as on sensory pleasures: artisanal cheese farms, vineyards, microbreweries, and local restaurants punctuate each stage. And in the fall, the experience takes on a special flavor: the long climbs between Sutton and Lac-Brome—especially on trails like the Stagecoach—offer spectacular panoramic views of the Sutton Mountains, while the surrounding pastures and maple groves are adorned in shades of red and gold.
Along the way, there’s no shortage of opportunities for gourmet breaks. In Shefford, La Ferme Brasserie Rurale grows its own organic grains and hops in collaboration with many local farmers, and its terrace offers a breathtaking view of Mount Shefford—particularly magical at the end of an autumn day.
Right next door, Autour de la pomme, a ciderhouse and distillery, invites you to enjoy a friendly break with its ciders and spirits at the foot of the same mountain. In Racine, “Au cœur du Pain, Boulangerie & Pâtisserie” bakes homemade sourdough bread and delicate European pastries every morning—a comforting stop after a climb—while “Fromagerie Nouvelle France,” an award-winning family business with over 42 accolades—including the title of Best Cheese in Quebec in 2011 and 2014 for the Zacharie Cloutier—is the perfect addition to a picnic basket.
In Bromont, N Latté combines a café, refreshment bar, and shop centered around specialty coffees and homemade pastries, most of which are vegan and gluten-free. For a break by the water, Yamaska National Park at Roxton Pond offers an oasis of greenery set on a lake whose varied vegetation takes on spectacular hues in the fall. And to round out the day, Sutton offers two top spots: the Auberge Sutton Brouërie, with its house-brewed beers and hearty pub fare, and, in Lac-Brome, La Knowlton Co., which specializes in craft beers and wood-fired pizzas.
2. Véloroute des Draveurs — Outaouais (Gatineau Valley)
Region: Outaouais
Activities: Cycle touring, touring, or leisurely rides
Distance: 72 km (one way)
If you had to pick just one place in Quebec to bike through the fall colors, many would point to the Véloroute des Draveurs. Built along the route of a former railroad track, this multi-use trail—stretching over 72 km—connects Low to Messines via Gracefield, in the heart of the Gatineau Valley. The section starting in Low runs for 37 km on crushed stone, while the 35-km stretch between Gracefield and Messines, paved with asphalt, is well-suited for families and less experienced cyclists. The route is rated as easy, with an elevation gain of just 643 m, and 87% of the route runs on bike paths.
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In the fall, the trail winds through a mosaic of lakes, marshes, mixed forests, and farmland ablaze with color, offering the chance—with a little luck—to spot deer as you round the edge of a field. It’s a total immersion in unspoiled nature, accessible in half a day or over several stages.
Along the way, several stops are worth the detour. In the heart of the Village Majopial, on the shores of Lake 31 Milles in Bouchette, lies L’Huile d’Olive, a small restaurant offering seasonal menus prepared with local Val-Gatinois produce. In Maniwaki, the pub-restaurant Le Rabaska serves hearty breakfasts, comforting lunches, and gourmet dinners in a relaxed atmosphere, with live entertainment on Friday nights.
And for a refreshing break—even on a cool October day—Lac Blue Sea, with its clear waters, is a must-visit spot to rest and relax along the way.
3. Mauricie National Park Loop
Region: Mauricie
Activities: Road biking, touring, or leisurely
rides Distance: 108 km
A conservation area for over 50 years, Mauricie National Park, with its variety of tree species, is a top destination for fall foliage season. The Mauricie National Park Loop, a 108-km loop classified as difficult with 1,262 m of elevation gain, follows the park’s famous scenic byway: 63 km of winding road, punctuated by climbs and descents, that crosses the park while treating us to numerous viewpoints and breathtaking panoramas. Every October, the park dedicates certain weekends exclusively to cyclists—a golden opportunity to ride through the fall colors without sharing the road with cars.
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The perfect starting point for this adventure is located at 2800 du Parc in Shawinigan. Housed in a renovated old barn just 800 meters from the park entrance, this establishment has become, over the years, a true base camp for cyclists in the region. The owner founded his business just a few meters from the entrance to Promenade Road, banking on a close-knit cycling community: bike rentals, a restaurant, an outdoor lounge, and regular gatherings have made it the epicenter of road and gravel cycling in the region—a defining anchor for the destination.
The route also leads to other memorable stops. Nearby, the village heart of Sainte-Flore—the historic birthplace of Shawinigan—reveals itself through its historic homes and charming restaurants, cafés, and bakeries. Inside the park, two lookouts stand out: the Belvédère du Passage, the most popular, offers a spectacular view of Lake Wapizagonke and is among the best spots to take in the forest ablaze with fall colors, while the Belvédère de l’Île-Aux-Pins, reached after a short descent down a flight of stairs along a 400-meter trail, rewards visitors with a magnificent view of the Laurentian forest and the same lake.
4. Le Petit-Témis
Region: Bas-Saint-Laurent
Activity: Gravel biking, touring, or leisurely
ride Distance: 99 km (one way)
With its dense, deep forests, the Témiscouata region is one of the best places in Quebec to admire the yellow-orange spectacle that precedes the fall foliage. Le Petit Témis is a 99-km one-way route along a former railroad track between Rivière-du-Loup and the shores of Lake Témiscouata. Rated intermediate, with 498 m of elevation gain and 84% unpaved surface, it follows a well-maintained gravel trail suitable for hybrid bikes and touring. The route, which is easy to follow and features a gentle, steady climb, is suitable for both beginner and intermediate cyclists—a natural choice for a multi-day trip at your own pace, with family or friends.
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The stretch along Lake Témiscouata, between Notre-Dame-du-Lac and Dégelis, offers a special sense of getting a behind-the-scenes look at the grand magic show orchestrated by nature at this time of year.
For a multi-day stay, there are several great options for your adventure. In Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, La P’tite Étape is a bed-and-breakfast accessible directly via the bike path, featuring a terrace with a magnificent view, cozy rooms, and a secure garage for bikes. Camping Plage municipale Dégelis, meanwhile, offers 89 campsites near Lake Témiscouata, as well as rental cottages for those who prefer the comfort of a roof over their heads. Also in Dégelis, the Pub Madawaska is home to the Microbrasserie de la Madawaska, where locally inspired cuisine pairs perfectly with house-brewed beers, right next to the trail.
And for a touch of history, Fort Ingall in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac—built in 1839 during a border conflict—is the only fort of its kind designated a historic monument in Quebec: its exhibits and archaeological excavations bring to life the experiences of soldiers from that era.
5. Between the River and the Mountains — Charlevoix
Region: Charlevoix
Activities: Tour cycling, road
cycling Duration: 2 stages
Distance: 102 km
Already breathtaking in the summer, Charlevoix’s landscapes offer a spectacle in the fall that’s hard to beat. “Between the River and the Mountains” is a 102-km road cycling and touring loop, divided into 2 stages ranging from 43 to 58 km, starting in Baie-Saint-Paul. This intermediate-level route, with 1,522 m of elevation gain, winds through the region’s scenic roads, straddling the vastness of the St. Lawrence River and the mountain ranges. The loop can be completed in a single day by experienced cyclists or over two days, with an overnight stay along the way, to take the time to savor every moment.
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The peak of fall colors in Charlevoix generally lasts from late September to early October: the sugar maples turn red and orange, the birches turn yellow, and the region’s rugged terrain, which slopes down toward the river, transforms into a vast living painting.
Along the way, there’s a succession of culinary and heritage stops. In Les Éboulements, Ferme Éboulmontaise and Resto-Boutique La Table—a pioneer of agritourism in Charlevoix—is renowned for the quality of its meats, available in the shop alongside charcuterie and prepared dishes year-round. In Saint-Urbain, Les Viandes Bio de Charlevoix grows its own grains, raises its own animals, and processes its own certified organic chicken and pork products.
For a break by the water, Saint-Irénée Beach and the Capelans Pier offer swimming, picnicking, and water sports, with restaurants and an antique shop nearby, while the nearby Domaine Forget de Charlevoix hosts a variety of events in the spring and fall—music, comedy, theater, and shows for young audiences—in an enchanting setting.
Next, head to La Malbaie for the Charlevoix Astroblite Observatory, the only interpretation center that explains the region’s meteorite origins, blending geology with the starry sky. And to catch your breath along the way, two stops are a must: the Halte de Menaud in Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs, with its view of Lake Sainte-Marie and its bike repair station, and the Halte des Petits Lots in Notre-Dame-des-Monts, whose view of the backcountry mountains is particularly memorable in the fall.
Whether you choose the challenging climbs of the Gravelée des saveurs, the leisurely ride along the Véloroute des Draveurs, the Boucle du Parc de la Mauricie, the Petit Témis trail, or the panoramic views of Charlevoix, each of these routes offers a different way to experience the same spectacle: that of a Québec that, once a year, dons its most beautiful colors.
To choose the perfect time for your ride, you can track the progress of the fall colors in real time using Bonjour Québec’s color map and plan your bike ride to coincide with the peak of the season.