Family beer bike

Bike

Self-guided

The Half-Tour [Recreational]

With this package, cyclists can ride the 105-km southern part of the Blueberry Trail from Alma to Saint-Félicien. This is, without a doubt, the route’s most beautiful portion. A 35 km per day ride will give you the time to see regional attractions such as the historical village of Val-Jalbert and the Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien (Saint-Félicien Wildlife Zoo). Ideal for beginner cyclists and families.

Duration : 3 days, 2 nights
Distance : 105 Km
Difficulty Level : Beginner
Accommodations : B&Bs, Inns or hotels
Format : Self-guided
Starting from 374$ plus taxes per person in double occupancy

-1 night / Half day

15 mai 2023 - 10 octobre 2023

Itinerary

Day 1 : Alma / Metabetchouan 36 km

Start off your trip by riding towards the charming little town of Saint-Gédéon. There, you’ll want to explore the lake on a sea kayak or a stand-up paddle board as well as visit the cheese dairy and the local microbrewery. Next, you’re off to Métabetchouan where you’ll enjoy a beautiful sunset on the beach and stay in charming B&B.

Day 2 : Métabetchouan / Roberval 35 km

On your second day, you’re on your way to Roberval! Enjoy breathtaking views and an adrenaline rush in Desbiens by visiting H20 Rafting or the cavern park Trou de la Fée. Then, travel in time for the afternoon and experience life in the 1920s at Val-Jalbert’s historical village. Don’t worry if you’re exhausted at the end of the day—you can rest at your 3-star accommodation in Roberval.

Day 3 : Roberval / St-Félicien 35 km

For your last day, discover Mashteuiatsh’s Ilnu culture and finish the journey at the Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien (Saint-Félicien Wildlife Zoo). A shuttle will be waiting for you to bring you back to Alma.

About this package

Including

Shuttle back to Alma on day 3;
Pre-departure information session;
Equinox’s support in case any problems arise;
Personalised luggage transport;
Overnight accommodations and breakfasts;
Pannierss to carry your daily necessities.

Not including

Bicycles (rentals available);
Tourist visits, lunches and suppers (we give you all the information to find the best places);
Transport between your point of departure and Alma (possibility to travel by train or bus).

Frequently Asked Questions

s What is a self-guided private departure?

A self-guided private departure is planned according to your reservation. You can choose the departure date that suits you best. You will have a preparatory meeting with a travel advisor at your chosen time.

This is the only type of departure available with Équinox Aventure. We do not organize fixed-date departures. We also do not offer the option of forming groups with solo travelers; the responsibility of forming a group or not lies with the client before booking with us.

s Incident management and supervision

In case of rain, for example, our activities proceed as scheduled. Therefore, we recommend that you remain attentive to the weather conditions and prepare appropriate clothing to cope with potential inclement weather during your package stay in the region.

In the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean area, microclimates are observed. This means that weather conditions can vary significantly over short distances. For instance, heavy rainfall may occur in certain areas for a brief period, while others remain sunny. This variation creates periods of good weather between rain episodes. Hence, before utilizing our services, please wait to see if the heavy rainfall indeed passes.

In case of extreme temperatures considered dangerous for your safety, such as torrential rains and violent and incessant thunderstorms, we may, depending on the specifics of your situation, arrange either personal transportation, coordinate a resource, or direct you to the nearest resource from your location, so that you can reach your destination safely.

In all cases, and particularly to safeguard against natural disasters (e.g., forest fires, floods, etc.), we recommend purchasing a travel insurance. It is possible that we may determine our services can proceed even if you feel the conditions are not sufficiently favorable. In such cases, our cancellation policies will apply.

s Will there be restaurants along the route?

Only breakfasts are included in our packages.

For lunches and dinners, most towns and villages around Lac Saint-Jean have at least one restaurant, a small market, or a convenience store. However, some sections of the Véloroute des Bleuets may have fewer amenities. Additionally, some restaurants may have unusual opening hours.

We will provide you with a list of restaurants and all necessary information before your departure so that you can plan your dinner stops accordingly. For dinners, some accommodations have on-site restaurants (dinners are not included in the package price, except for the Val-Jalbert option which includes a 4-course dinner).

You can also view the interactive map here.

s Is the luggage rack included with the panniers?

Whether you have your own bike or rent one as part of your package with us, we can lend you panniers. However, the luggage rack is not included with the panniers. To have a bike equipped with a luggage rack, you can rent one of ours or attach a luggage rack to your bike before your trip.

As an alternative, we have a few small handlebar bags available. Generally, these provide less space and are more suitable for road bikes.

s When should I tell your team about what equipment I will need?

To be sure that you will have access to the equipment you need (panniers, repair kit, etc.) on the day of your departure, we recommend that you let us know as soon as possible or during your reservation in order to be able to reserve these items for your trip.

s Is Is there signal everywhere around Lake Saint-Jean?

Yes, there is signal everywhere around Lake Saint-Jean.

s Are there any toilets along the road?

Yes, there is a total of 35 restroom stops around Lake Saint-Jean accessible to cyclists. Therefore, you will easily have access to these services near the Véloroute des Bleuets throughout your stay.

Here is a list of the restroom stops

s What is the difficulty level of the Véloroute des Bleuets?

The route is considered recreational to cyclotouristic, with only three short inclines of 9% or more.

The Véloroute des Bleuets is fully paved, except for the 15 kilometers located within the Pointe-Taillon National Park.

Distribution:

Cycling paths (105 km) - 43%
Paved shoulders (82 km) - 34%
Designated roadway (48 km) - 20%
Bike lanes (8 km) - 3%

For more information, please visit the following page: Choosing a bike package

s What do the terms Recreational, Bicycle touring, and Cyclosportive mean?

This is a method of route classification.

Recreational: Featuring short distances, little elevation gain, and suitable for family outings, they will give you plenty of time to stop and smell the flowers.

Bicyle touring: Designed for longer distances while remaining accessible to all. They provide time to visit tourist attractions and enjoy the landscapes of the region.

Cyclosportive: These routes are more demanding and are suitable for experienced cyclists looking for longer distances and more elevation gain.

s What does Équinox Aventure assistance consist of?

Our assistance ensures peace of mind during your package. In case of any issues, you can contact us, and we will find a solution. For instance, we can provide a bike replacement in case of mechanical failure or arrange transportation in case of an injury on the road.

Additionally, we equip you with the necessary tools to remain self-sufficient in case of minor incidents such as a flat tire.

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