Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
The Gravel Summits Route circuit was developed for adventure cyclists who wish to explore less travelled territories. Covering 271 km, the route takes three days and 2 nights to complete on meandering gravel roads leading you deep inside forest terrains, along tranquil lakes and farmland, with the mountains as your backdrop.
Prepare your legs; the elevation gains are demanding, but the reward will be well worth the climb! Here, you’ll be riding far from the bustle and always connected to nature pedalling at your own pace. You’ll discover an excursion that gives you time to observe, enjoy the peace and quiet, and to experience a form of freedom that can only be found on two wheels.
You’ll start out from Parc Walter-MacKenzie, in Scotstown, where you can leave your car for the duration of your adventure. As soon as you head out, you’ll quickly switch from a paved surface to a gravel one. The air is crisp as you take on the gentle climbs one after the other. The landscapes are typical of the Townships: tree-covered hills, quiet roads and a laid-back ambiance.
In Saint-Camille, the Café du Flâneur is the perfect place for a pause. Here you’re offered a simple, delicious cuisine and a friendly welcome. Try their house specialty: a potato rösti garnished with ham, a hard-boiled egg and hollandaise sauce, a much appreciated dish, particularly after a couple of serious uphill challenges!
The Parc régional du Mont-Ham proposes its prospector tents set up right in the middle of the forest. Here, you won’t find any electricity, just the essential comfort, tranquility and complete immersion inside the natural environment.
An Alternative?
For more traditional accommodations, the nearby Auberge La Mara offers a B& B formula along with delicious terroir cuisine.
This second day will have you travel in more isolated zones, between forest roads, farmlands, and long straight lines where you’ll sometimes feel as if you’re alone in the world. The route is demanding, but the landscapes are breathtaking and the entire experience is totally peaceful.
When you arrive in the municipality of Beaulac-Garthby, stop at the beach by Lake Aylmer. It’s a lovely venue for enjoying a bite to eat, dip your feet in the water or simply take a moment to admire the view. Easily accessible, plus, during the week, it’s often pretty quiet.
Located by the marina, La Source proposes a simple menu, a pretty terrace, and especially a view directly overlooking the Grand lac Saint-François, the perfect ending for your second day.
The small motel adjacent to La Source is a practical and comfortable option, ideal for a good night’s rest after a long cycling day.
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This will be the most challenging part of the circuit, but also the one that will offer you the most amazing surprises. The route will take you across maple bushes, along open valleys leading you right inside the heart of the Parc Régional du Marécage-des-Scots, by way of the town of Lac-Mégantic.
Don’t miss stopping by this Cheese factory. Foodies will definitely appreciate their fine cheeses, charcuterie, fresh bread, and terroir products... indeed, it’s the perfect place for putting together a quick lunch or to bring home some delightful provisions.
With its picnic tables and sandy beach by the lake, the Baie-des-Sables campground is a pleasant place to relax for a while and enjoy your lunch. Then, you’ll need to head out on the Chemin de Milan. This segment will take you across a magnificent conifer forest which opens up onto some spectacular mountain views. Here also, you’ll discover a lovely well-kept maple bush.
The last portion of the route follows the McLeod River on a quiet bike path. The trail is part of the Circuit des sheds panoramiques (150 km), a series of pavilions built on some of the most attractive sites where you’ll admire the landscapes while learning more about the history of the region. If the weather allows, it’s a great spot for a swim in the river.
Before completing the loop, you must make one last stop at Charcuterie Scotstown. Local products, sandwiches, charcuteries; everything you might need to end this adventure on a truly delicious note!
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The Gravel Foodie Route
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