3
Introductory

Traveler Rating

 

Activities
  • 4 days self-guided cycling
Accommodation
  • 4 nights hotels and B&B's

Price

5 daysfrom

$990USD

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip code: PET

Trip highlights

  • Explore the gorgeous lakes, forests, trails, and communities of the Laurentians
  • With your bags shuttled ahead, carry only what you need for the ride
  • Indulge in the culinary delights at local bistros and outdoor terraces
  • Enjoy a flat, meandering trail crossing restored railway stations and historical villages
  • Learn the history of the rail villages and restored railway stations

Self-guided multi-day bike rides just don’t come easier - or more beautiful - than Le P’tit Train du Nord, a gentle 200km-long rail trail through gorgeous Laurentian countryside. With your bags shuttled ahead to cozy B&B’s along this former railway line, let your mind wander as you pedal through lush tree-tunnel forests, vibrant villages, and restored historical stations. Meandering around sparkling lakes, bubbling brooks and the base of the Laurentian mountains, greet friendly locals, sample cafes, explore a summer festival, spot wildlife, or pick up fine wine and cheese for your refreshingly light saddlebags. With a gradient that varies between hardly uphill, flat and joyously downhill, the gentle, crushed gravel or paved trail is clearly marked, delightfully social, and amenable for even the most introductory of riders. Counting down the kilometres, four days provides plenty of flexibility, with time to sample award-winning bistros, shop the boutiques, and explore destinations like the world famous Mont Tremblant resort. Powered by pedals and your own curiosity, Le P’tit Train du Nord offers an unforgettable and unique combination of Quebecois landscape, food, history, culture and adventure.

Itinerary

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Make your way to our joining hotel in Saint-Jérôme, the Laurentians' regional capital and KM-0 on the P'tit Train du Nord trail. Summers are bursting with colour, including a popular summer folk festival and daily events centred on the lively Place des Festivités. Learn about the region on the historical walking trail, shop for souvenirs in the open-air market, hike or paddle in the Riviere-du-Nord regional park, or sample a taste of the region at a local bistro, artisan store or micro-brewery. We overnight in a centrally located hotel.

Meals:  Nil

After breakfast, meet at the bicycle rental location near the trail’s KM-0 to collect your bikes, make any adjustments, and transfer north to the trail's end (KM-200) in Mont-Laurier, the capital of the Upper Laurentians. From the trail's starting point, pedal south towards Nominingue via Lac-des-Ecorces and Lac-Saguay. There will be plenty of opportunity for rests should your legs need to acclimatize, and time for a lakeside picnic lunch. A 3-course gourmet dinner awaits at your scenic accommodation in Nominingue.

Meals:  B,D

Choose to explore Nominingue's wharf, public beach or local biking trails, or get straight back onto the trail to continue onwards to Tremblant. Enjoy the idyllic shores of Lac Nominingue, and next arrive at the historical rail town of Rivière Rouge, with its inviting main street. Depending on time, a river or lakefront café in the village of Labelle is an ideal lunch break. Ahead lies Quebec’s most famous national park and the largest ski resort in eastern Canada, Mont-Tremblant. The rail trail does not intersect the European-style resort area itself – avoiding the hills – instead intersecting with Tremblant’s lakeside Village and Downtown zones. Our cozy B&B is close to the trail, and perfectly located for you to explore a wide variety of stores, drinking holes, and restaurants.

Meals:  B

Working off last night’s dinner, pedal into the colourful towns of Saint-Faustin–Lac-Carré and Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. Enjoying its summer celebrations, Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré’s attractions include 30 outdoor sculptures, the Love Tree and its Love Locks, the Maison des Arts et de la Culture, a heritage station building, and the town’s century-old church. If that sounds too busy, just replenish your energy basking on one of the town’s sunny outdoor terraces. Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts is a lakeside service town with a vibrant downtown, and lovely beaches. Home tonight is the forest town of Val-David, well known for its art studios, fine restaurants, and nearby rock climbing.

Meals:  B

Leaving the tranquil villages for the big city ahead, the trail crosses Piedmont and snakes beneath escarpment cliffs into Prévost, a town known for its glass and art studios, antique stores, bistros, and regional parks. You approach the familiar KM-0 in Saint-Jérôme, crossing the finish line at Place de la Gare. Hard to believe you picked up your bikes at this very spot just four, unforgettable days ago. Drop off your bikes, celebrate with a beverage, share your favourite moments, and bid au revoir to the culture, beauty, cuisine and camaraderie of Le P'tit Train Du Nord.

Meals:  Nil

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 3 nights B&B's with private facilities (double occupancy)
  • 1 night hotel with private facilities (double occupancy)
  • 3 breakfasts and 1 dinner
  • Hybrid bicycle rental including helmet, bike bag, lock, and basic repair kit
  • Daily luggage transfer
  • Navigation APP inclusive of detailed route notes and points of interest (available offline while cycling)
  • Emergency hotline
  • Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
  • C$50 donation to the Trans Canada Trail

  • Optional electric-assist bicycle upgrade (extra cost, limited quantities)
  • Travel to/from Saint-Jérôme
  • Guide (this is a self-guided tour)
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary (suggestions are provided)
  • Entrance fees
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Airfare, visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Applicable taxes

Accommodation

Charming B&Bs

Accommodation on this trip is a combination of 3-star hotels and B&B's. Each has been chosen for its convenient location, local character, and quality. The trip price is based on 2 people per room. Please indicate if you prefer to share a bed, or have separate beds. A single supplement is available for those wishing to secure their own rooms, subject to availability.

Charming B&B's

Accommodation on this trip is a combination of 3-star hotels and B&B's. Each has been chosen for its convenient location, local character, and quality. The trip price is based on 2 people per room. Please indicate if you prefer to share a bed, or have separate beds. A single supplement is available for those wishing to secure their own rooms, subject to availability.

Bike information

Hybrid Bike

Modern hybrids suitable for road and mild off-road use with eighteen to twenty-four gears. They are provided with bike bag, helmet, lock, and basic tool kit.

E-Bike

E-bike upgrades are possible upon request, subject to availability. Equipped with bike bag, helmet, lock, stand and basic tool kit. Great option for a boost and extra pedal-power.

Suitability

Introductory

3

Introductory. The rail trail is an easy, mostly flat, stone dust/packed gravel surface. Distances each day are short (42-60km), so this itinerary is suitable for even the most beginner cyclists, including active children 7 years and older. In wet weather, parts of the trail may be muddy. Self guided walking or cycling requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!). Cyclists will be expected to know how to fix a flat tire and make basic adjustments to their bicycles using the included repair kit. Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. If you’ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of if as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7-day service hotline in the event of any problems.

Departure dates

Fridays to Tuesdays from mid-June through September

Notes

Note:
Local services are shared/public, so solo travellers need only pay a single supplement for accommodation.
Note:
Some accommodations may not have twin rooms. If you do not wish to share a bed with your travel companion you will have to pay a single supplement on those nights. Rooms with two beds may require an additional fee.

Want to organise a customised tour?

School groups, friends, family trips, corporate events or just tailoring a trip to suit your own needs - learn how you can tailor your own Customised Tour.

Priceper person from

$990USD

* All prices subject to applicable taxes

Options & Supplements*
  • Discount for bringing own bikeUSD$-77
  • Electric Bike Supplement (on request, limited availability)USD$190
* Prices listed are per person. All prices subject to applicable taxes.

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Our Expertise

Everyone who works with us, from our office staff, ground staff and guides is the ‘’real deal’’. Our team is comprised of actual hikers and cyclists who have explored or live in the region in which you will be traveling. Our entire network is highly-specialised in active travel.

Great Value

Quality services at the best price make our active trips great value for money. Having essential items included like National Park fees, accommodations, most meals, bikes for cycling trips, maps and support for peace of mind. Our inclusions allow you to better budget for your big adventure.

Innovative Itineraries

We look beyond the horizon to find new and exciting adventures. We’re passionate about shaping the next generation of outdoor travel in North America, and constantly seek different ways, routes and alternatives to exceed our clients’ dreams.

Eco Friendly

We are committed to responsible travel and true sustainability, formed when the company was established, and in the face of a multitude of threats to the environment, our commitment is stronger than ever. We aim to "leave no trace" in both an environmental and cultural sense.