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Getaways: The Eastern Townships on Two Wheels |
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Three nearby routes that are on a roll
by John M. Smith
I found bicycling to be a great way for me to get an up-close and personal look at Quebec's fascinating, enchanting Eastern Townships. And the combination of that fresh air and invigorating pedaling made me feel like I was doing something that was not only fun, but was actually good for me. Here are three specific routes that I'd recommend for you to ride.
The Granby Loop (60 km): Granby is a wonderful family destination; the children will enjoy the zoo, the beautiful water fountain in the lake (which is lit up at night), and the fact that the old train station is now a McDonalds. In addition to the many walkers and cyclists using the more than 30 kilometres of relatively flat paths, rollerbladers also appreciate them - and I watched several skate right into that McDonalds to place their orders.
To cycle the loop, ride northeast on the paved "La Granbeyenne" to Yamaska Park, and then follow a well packed gravel path through the park, along the southern shore of the Chouniere Reservoir.Then bike a section of the gravel "Campagnarde" south to Waterloo, and complete the loop via the 21-kilometre paved "Estriade" back to Granby. At this section of the route, you'll find a 2.4-km linking gravel trail into Brompton, where you can check out the village - and its mountain biking opportunities.
Mont Orford Park (50 km): A great one-way ride begins in Stuckley-Sud and ends in Magog. However, this primarily gravel route ("La Montagnarde") is hilly. You'll face some tough climbs - and nice descents - as you bike through beautiful Mont Orford Park. I was even able to photograph a deer grazing right next to the trail. After exiting the park and biking through the village of Orford, you'll continue to the picturesque town of Magog. There is a great paved trail right along the waterfront, with a separate path for walkers. Magog is located at the northern tip of the long, deep Lake Memphremagog. The lake has supposedly been the home of Memphre, a legendary lake creature, for over 200 years.
"I was even able to photograph a deer grazing
right next to the trail."
If you choose, the renowned Saint-Benoit-du-Lac Abbey on the west shore of Lake Memphremagog provides a short, fascinating side trip from Magog. There, Benedictine monks live a contemplative, religious life. Their local cider and cheese is a worthwhile purchase.
The Sherbrooke-North Hatley Loop (55 km): Begin this loop tour in North Hatley, cycling on the relatively flat rail-trail (gravel) to Lennoxville. You'll pass the Capelton Mine, where tours of the former copper mine are available. Continue on designated paths into Sherbrooke, where you'll find about 30 kilometres of additional cycling paths to explore, primarily along the banks of the St. Francois and Magog Rivers. I took a break in Sherbrooke's pleasant Jacques Cartier Park before following the loop route on to Rock Forest and back to North Hatley. A small portion of the route was actually on shared roadways, both paved and unpaved, and I encountered some hilly sections.
It's best to ride this loop in a counterclockwise direction, as there is a particularly long descent into North Hatley that you don't want to have to climb.
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John Smith is a freelance writer and photographer, an avid cyclist, and the author of Cycling Canada.
If You Go
I'd recommend picking up a copy of the free Cycling the Eastern Townships booklet from a tourism office; it maps out several recommended routes, using a combination of well marked, designated roadways, quiet back roads, and a great network of off-road cycling paths. |
Eastern Townships Tourism Office
20, rue Don-Bosco sud
Sherbrooke, QC J1L 1W4
1-800-355-5755
(819) 355-5755
www.easterntownships.org
Route Verte Headquarters
1251, rue Rachel est
Montreal, QC H2J 2J9
1-800-567-8356
(514) 521-5711
www.routeverte.com
Avid mountain bikers will enjoy Bromont (which offers over 100 kilometres of marked trails and 8 descents), Coaticook (with over 20 kilometres of trails near the spectacular gorge) or East Hereford (with over 60 kilometres of trails). |
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