Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
THINGS TO DO
Your Townships adventure starts here.
Sports, Nature & Outdoor Activities
Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
Arts, Culture & Heritage
Let your imagination run free at galleries, theatres, museums and workshops.
Spa & Wellness
Treat yourself to massages, body treatments, Nordic baths and other sensory delights.
Shopping
Scour our markets, boutiques and other hidden gems to score incredible finds.
Events
Discover our cultural vitality with a wide range of special events.
Cycling
The Townships is a great cycling destination, because it’s designed for pedal power - slow, contemplative, challenging or sporty.
Hiking Trails
Fill your pack with local flavours before setting off to explore the natural beauties that make our region so stunning.
Campgrounds
Abundant amenities in the heart of nature.
Restaurants
All are sure to please even the most discerning of palates. Bon appétit!
Golfing
Tee off in the Townships and get into the swing of things with 9 or 18 holes. Fore!
Where to stay
Lodging options to suit any taste and budget.
Hotels & Country Inns
Stunning locations and outstanding service come together for a bliss-inducing stay.
Bed & Breakfasts
Get up close and personal with life in the Townships.
Off the Beaten Path
Think outside the box with out of the ordinary accommodations.
Cottages & Condos
Custom comfort near the city or in nature.
Campgrounds / RV Rentals
Abundant amenities in the heart of nature.
Vacation Centres
Kick back and relax as a family with all-inclusive vacation options.
Other Types of Lodging
Experience something different by choosing unique lodging.
Destination Spas
The only thing better than a day at the spa? Several days at the spa!
Hikers Welcome
If you, like thousands of visitors annually, plan on hiking in the region, know that your efforts will be rewarded by our world-class hospitality.
Bienvenue Cyclistes
Explore the region on two wheels and stay in one of the many accommodation options bearing the Bienvenue cyclistes icon.
Pet Friendly
Don’t want to leave your four-legged friend behind? Book a stay in some of the region’s many dog-friendly digs and you won’t have to.
The Townships
The Townships possess a rich heritage that you will discover everywhere on its nine territories, in its towns and villages, its Coeurs villageois, etc.
Not to be missed
What is it that draws visitors to the region, year after year? Find out here :
Cœurs villageois
Visit our Cœurs villageois – charming communities that truly characterize the spirit of our region.
Towns and villages
Explore our lively, welcoming towns and villages with their heritage architecture and fascinating histories.
Nine territories to discover
Each territory has a distinct personality and a wealth of hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered!
The Townships at a glance
Here’s a glimpse of the region, a few historical notions, and numbers.
Tourist routes
Hit the road! The region has several tourist routes designed around different themes – heritage, scenic landscapes, wine….
National and regional parks
Four national and two regional parks – an outdoor paradise in the fresh air, each and every one!
Taste the townships
Here, in so many ways, you’ll enjoy all kinds of gastronomical experiences! When you discover our unique products and our highly renowned tables, you’ll love us forever!
Restaurants
Every time you sit down at one of our tables, you’ll experience a truly special moment. Savour it!
Cafés de village
Visit our Cafés de Village and discover each one’s specialties while meeting the most welcoming and friendly people.
Créateurs de Saveurs Products
You can rely on our food producers who put as much love as delicious flavours into everything they plant and produce.
Vineyards
The Route des vins de Brome-Missisquoi, the Route des vins de l’Estrie, and about twenty other vineyards… The Townships region proudly honours its title of being the first wine region of Quebec.
Microbreweries
The region counts more than twenty microbreweries! Just like the people who run them, each one has established their own strong, unique personality and … extremely inviting character!
Cheese Factories & Dairy Producers
goat’s milk… Here you’ll savour rich artisanal cheeses. Some you already know, many others you’ll enjoy discovering.
Public Markets
Purple peppers, fir honey, pineapple tomatoes … besides all the products you love, sometimes you also discover new, amazingly surprising ones!
Pick-your-own
Pick-your-own farm-fresh fruits and vegetables.
Restaurants Complices
These restaurants take to heart working with local producers and to offer dishes that integrate certified Créateurs de saveurs products.
Foodie’s Maps
Brasseurs des Cantons and Têtes fromagères are two gastronomical circuits highlighting our microbreweries and cheese factories.
Gourmet Itineraries
Plan your stay by offering yourself a wealth of flavours. Consult our getaway ideas.
Weekend and Trip Ideas
Discover our activities suggestions, getaway ideas and itineraries in the Townships.
Family Outings
Find loads of ideas for memorable family outings!
Romantic Getaways
Outings, restaurants, spas, weekend ideas… Suggestions for spending some precious moments together.
Outdoor Activities
Hiking, kayaking, beaches, cycling… Without a doubt, all outdoor enthusiasts are sure to find something to do here!
Tourist Routes
Vineyards, mountain peaks, heritage sites… Our designated routes make for the most beautiful road trips!
Itineraries
Whether for two, with your family or with friends, here you will find a ton of suggestions for planning perfect getaways!
Experiences to Try
Our collaborators have tested several different adventures … and have approved!
Coeur villageois
Visit our Cœurs villageois – charming communities that truly characterize the spirit of our region.
Towns and Villages
Explore our lively, welcoming towns and villages with their heritage architecture and fascinating histories.
Guide and Maps
View our guide and maps online or download your free copies.
Nature, sports and outdoor activities
12 Hiking Outings in the Eastern TownshipsHiking
Published on Jul 29, 2020
À 40 km au nord de Sherbrooke se dresse une montagne bien particulière : le mont Ham. Son sommet, perché à 730 mètres d’altitude, est loin d’être l’un des plus élevés du Québec, mais il est partiellement dénudé, comme les hauts sommets des Rocheuses, donnant aux randonneurs l’impression d’être sur le toit du monde.
Par Simon Diotte
En arrivant au parc régional du Mont-Ham, la plupart des randonneurs veulent atteindre le sommet le plus rapidement possible. La solution : emprunter le sentier l’Intrépide, une piste ultra-pentue, qui nécessite l’usage de corde sur certains passages, qui mène sans détour et en moins de 2 km au point culminant de cette appalachienne.
Si vous aimez les défis physiques, l’Intrépide vous comblera. Voilà un sentier rugueux qui n’a pas son comparable au Québec. Son ascension exige de bonnes jambes, mais aussi de bonnes mains afin de s’agripper aux roches. Si vous avez le vertige, passez votre tour. Par contre, vous risquez de le regretter tellement il est plaisant de combiner rando à l’escalade. Je vous le confirme : les enfants adorent. Ils s’y promènent comme dans un immense module de jeux, tout comme les adultes qui conservent leur cœur d’enfant. Les randonneurs reviennent ensuite à la base par le sentier le Panoramique, une belle descente rocailleuse 2,1 km.
Mais il sera fou de se limiter uniquement à ce sentier vedette en visitant le parc régional du Mont-Ham. Ce relief, qui se situe dans la municipalité de Ham-Sud, dans la MRC des Sources, à 2 h 30 de Montréal, renferme près de 20 km de sentiers. Et pour les avoir marchés presque en totalité en moins de deux jours, je peux soutenir qu’ils en valent la peine.
En dehors de l’Intrépide, bye bye les foules! À bas les masques et vive la distanciation physique, on découvre d’autres versants du mont Ham. J’ai particulièrement apprécié les pistes Button et Tour du Button, qui grimpent la montagne graduellement en suivant les lignes de pente. On circule dans une forêt que survolent sans relâche une meute d’urubus à tête rouge, ces grands oiseaux charognards.
Peu importe le chemin parcouru, on circule dans une superbe forêt mature de 80 ans, dominée par les érables à sucre. Plus on grimpe, plus la végétation se transforme. Les feuillus cèdent progressivement la place aux conifères. Au-delà de 500 m, l'épinette blanche, l'épinette rouge et le sapin prennent le relais, jusqu'à la disparition complète de l'érable à sucre vers les 600 m.
Au sommet, les arbres disparaissent complètement. On déambule sur des caps rocheux. De partout, on profite de vues sans obstacles et à 360 degrés sur cette région principalement forestière. Un vent constant nous rafraîchit presque sans relâche. Comme emplacement de pique-nique surélevé, on ne peut demander mieux.
Au-delà de la randonnée, il y a le camping à la base. Trois camps rustiques, cinq tentes de type prospecteur, quatre sites de camping sauvage accommodent les visiteurs pour la nuit. J’ai eu un coup de cœur envers les emplacements de camping rustique qui se situent sous un épais couvert forestier. Par temps chaud, une belle fraîcheur persiste dans l’air. À ma grande surprise, j’ai même dû sortir ma veste en fin de soirée, bien que le mercure ait flirté avec les 30 degrés dans la journée. Pas besoin de climatisation dans les parages. Si vous aimez les hébergements expérientiels, le parc régional du Mont-Ham propose depuis peu six tipis d’inspiration amérindienne en location.
Bref, une destination parfaite pour un court séjour de randonnée.
Nature, sports and outdoor activities
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