Bike Rides

The Route verte bike route crosses Lorraine for about 650 metres, with a raised wooden boardwalk behind the Domaine Garth and a lookout where the Rivière aux Chiens meets the Rivière des Mille Îles. It links Lorraine to Bois-des-Filion and Rosemère. Free, by bike or on foot.

Candiac has close to 40 km of bike paths and trails, with three loops marked on the ground: the 5 km Boucle urbaine, the 5 km Boucle culturelle and the 18 km Grand tour. Maps of the network and loops are on the town's website. Free.

A neighbourhood park with a pump track for bikes (use it only during the permitted hours) and an outdoor rink in winter, when the weather allows. Rinks are open weekdays 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m., with a heated area and washroom during supervised hours. Free.

A long day ride from Sorel-Tracy to Brossard along the St. Lawrence, mostly on Route verte 3 and the La Riveraine path, through Contrecoeur, Varennes and Boucherville. It mixes bike path and roads with shoulders, so take care on shared sections. Free to ride.

A 175 km bike network around Joliette mixing paths and roads, crossing the L'Assomption River. Free to ride; Bonjour Québec lists the starting point at 112 rue Saint-Charles-Borromée Sud.

A 10.3 km loop of multi-use paths around Lac Boivin in Granby, for walking, cycling, skateboarding and roller skating. Some sections are used for cross-country skiing in winter. Free public paths; start from Parc Daniel-Johnson.

Nicolet's four season multi-use trail (piste multifonctionnelle) starts at Parc Louis-Caron and has been extended to Route 132, making an easy ride or walk across town. It is a public city trail with no fee listed by the City of Nicolet. Best for cycling from spring to fall; check conditions in winter.

An 18 km loop ride that starts in nature beside the Shawinigan River, crosses a pastoral landscape and the heritage village considered the birthplace of Shawinigan, then ends in a more urban area. About 40% is bike path; the rest is shared road on residential streets or a low traffic 50 km/h road. Water points, toilets and a picnic area are along the way. Riding the route is free; best from spring to fall.

For experienced cyclists, this Route verte 4 itinerary starts at the exhibition grounds and heads up boulevard des Forges toward downtown Shawinigan, about 140 km round trip. It is mostly paved roads mixing city streets, country roads and a bike path section, with hills, a crossing over Autoroute 55 and a ride past the La Gabelle dam. Free parking at the start; best from spring to fall. Free.

A short, safe multi use path of about 5.6 km round trip, good for an easy family ride. Access it from Parc Roland-Leclerc, the Marie-Leneuf school park, or rue De Normanville and rue Papineau; Parc Roland-Leclerc also has a free bike repair station. Best for cycling from spring to fall. Free.

Formerly called Terre-des-Loisirs, this linear park is about 12 km round trip within the city, from Parc Masse or Parc de la Terre-des-Loisirs. The route is about 90 percent forest with little climbing, mostly paved with some fine gravel, and riders can continue about 30 km round trip to the bike stop in Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel. Free parking at Parc Masse; best for cycling from spring to fall. Free.

A long, narrow multi use path through the city where cyclists can ride safely away from traffic, about 24 km round trip. Access it from Parc Lambert, rue Fortin or rue Tebbutt; it is also open to walkers, runners, inline skaters and adapted tricycles, and there is a free bike repair station on the path at boulevard Saint-Michel. Best for cycling from spring to fall. Free.