Guillaume Milette, Cantons-de-l'Est
La Route verte: Quebec’s Must-See Cycling Route
23 February 2026
When cycling in Quebec, you can't miss the Route Verte! Nicknamed the queen of bike paths, it stretches over 5,400 km and connects dynamic urban centers, picturesque villages, and breathtaking natural panoramas.
Discover Quebec from one end to the other
Whether you want to stroll along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, explore the green hills of the Eastern Townships, or cycle through the bustling streets of Montreal, each segment of the Route Verte offers a unique experience.
It offers routes suitable for all levels: from quiet paths for families to steeper segments for cyclists eager for a challenge! In short, with its distinctive signage and rigorous development standards, it's easy to travel at your own pace and according to your needs and desires.
Vélo Québec
Just for the record…
Conceived by Vélo Québec as early as 1995, the Route verte was born from a dream that was both simple and ambitious: to make Quebec accessible by bike, from one end to the other.
Thanks to unprecedented government and regional support, the network gradually expanded until its official inauguration in 2007. Recognized as one of the most beautiful bike routes in the world—notably by National Geographic!—the network has continued to evolve.
Today, the Route verte is the longest cycling route in North America. It crosses 18 tourist regions, more than 380 municipalities, and 7 national parks, connecting Abitibi, the Laurentians, and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean to the Gaspé Peninsula, while providing connections to Ontario, New Brunswick, and the United States.
In 2025, the Route verte celebrated its 30th anniversary! This collective project, led by over 200 managers across the province under the guidance of Vélo Québec, has now become a major symbol of recreation, sustainable tourism, and active mobility in Quebec.
Discover Quebec’s tourist attractions in a whole new way
As you journey along, you’ll be able to enjoy the natural, cultural, and culinary delights of the regions you pass through.
Local crafts, culinary specialties, historic sites, and natural parks: the Route verte turns every bike ride into a true immersion in Quebec’s rich culture! Depending on the section, you’ll ride on:
- Multi-use trails, often built on former railway lines, far from cars and close to nature.
- Dedicated bike paths, separated from traffic.
- Secondary roads with paved shoulders, ideal for cycle touring.
Urban bike paths, for smooth travel through cities.
Jonathan B. Roy, Cacouna, Bas-Saint-Laurent
Jonathan B. Roy, région de Québec
CHOK Images, Gaspésie
Jonathan B. Roy, Saint-Louis-de-France, Mauricie
Mary Charpentier, Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean
Audet Photo
Nicolas Bourdeau
Plan your cycling stops!
To make your trip easier, look for establishments certified as “Bienvenue cyclistes!” along the routes: accommodations, campgrounds, and attractions tailored to the needs of cyclists. Why settle for anything less than a warm, high-quality welcome for cyclists?
The beauty of the Route verte? You can experience it your own way.
No matter what kind of bike you ride—hybrid, road, gravel, or electric—you can create a custom route. Check out the routes below… and choose the adventure where you’ll be the hero or heroine!
- A few-hour ride near your home
- A multi-day getaway with an overnight stay at an inn
- A regional tour with friends
- A major cycling trip across several regions
Learn more