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 TownshipsNature, sports and outdoor activities
Published on Aug 19, 2021
With my friends Maude and Katia by my side, I put on my hiking boots once again for a 20 km hike, combining the Mont Shefford mountaineer park trail and the Bromont hiking belt ending the weekend with an overnight stay and a day of cocooning. Let yourself be inspired!
By Ariane Arpin-Delorme
Very happy to meet again with Katia and Maude, we enthusiastically set off on the parc des Montagnards trail for a 4.5 km loop towards one of the peaks of Mont Shefford. Surrounded by this green forest and protected in the shade of the trees, I immediately feel at ease. The short 178-meter ascent quickly leads to the 525-meter summit which offers a magnificent view of Brome Lake and the Montagnes-Vertes Nature Reserve. Although the trail is rated intermediate, I would suggest that it’s accessible to most people, due to its low elevation and relatively short length.
Then, following a short downpour, Maude and I continue on the Hiking Belt, a 15 km loop, which surrounds Mont Brome and is part of the Parc des Sommets. We stop at Bromont beach to enjoy a refreshing swim, well deserved at the end of our hike. (Editor's note: Bromont beach is accessible to everyone on weekdays, but reserved for residents of Bromont on weekends). Through a mosaic of rich forests and fields we catch glimpses of majestic horses and just a few residences, we cross the only urbanized track in this natural environment of circular shape on the south bank of the river. This multifunctional network - the backbone that branches off all other trail networks of various levels (80 km) - is annexed to mountain bike trails. We get passed on occasion by mountain bikers but with the greatest of respect. I loved to read the interpretive panels allowing me to learn more about the history of Bromont and it’s surrounding flora and fauna. It's great to know that access to the trails is free and, unlike Mont Shefford, the Bromont Hiking Belt accepts dogs on a leash. Next time I bring mine without hesitation!
At the end of the day, we grab a Mexican inspired dinner from the numerous food trucks in Bromont. Then settle into the friendly Beatnik Hotel, although I had heard about this hotel for some time, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but oh! I completely fell in love with the concept! It is a true haven of peace, set in the middle of nature, where a great community culture is created. All the rooms are unique and you have to check out the funky decor of the common areas?! We dare to take a dip in the pool, despite the fine rain. After which, warming up around the fire was so well appreciated. We end the day with a drink under the lights in the old converted barn. Magic!
In the morning, Maude and I surprised by the rain, allowed ourselves to stretch our lunch out and relax for a while in a hammock chair, coffee in hand. Then we set off towards Magog to rediscover the Spa Nordic Station. In my opinion, this spar is rather special, renowned in Quebec for offering the most extraordinary and immersive natural environment. We can’t resist going straight down to the edge of the river to dip our toes. I also had to take advantage of the Signature massage, created by the Spa Nordic Station team, a wonderful sensory experience with flavored oils to the sound of traditional music. It’s a real blessing and well deserved especially after the long hike the day before. The ultimate in disconnecting before returning to work. Spa Nordic Station is also renowned for its citrus-flavored Russian banya - an Eastern Townships exclusive – combining both the intensity of heat and steam for an extreme sweating experience. If you are a fan of thermotherapy, I bet the banya will be a crush!
Before heading home, we stop to enjoy a picnic lunch, we can't help ourselves but to buy everything at the Fabrique de Bagels Café Noir (Black coffee bagel factory) in Magog, offering artisanal bagels traditionally baked on site in a wood-fired oven, as well as bakery and pastry products and a fine selection of regional delicacies. Yum!
I will not fail to experience mountain biking on the slopes of Mont Brome, horseback riding around Bromont as well as hiking around Lake Gale.
Taste the Townships
The Eastern Townships, The First Wine Region of QuebecNature, sports and outdoor activities
Skiing in the Townships: 38 things to do for a great time on the slopes this winter!Nature, sports and outdoor activities
12 Hiking Outings in the Eastern TownshipsAll rights reserved © Tourism Eastern Townships 2024, (Quebec, Canada)
Filters
X