The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

Bike

Recreational

Self-guided

6 days

5 nights

The Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean [Bike Touring]

Bike around a small inland sea, the Lac St-Jean, while discovering the region’s picturesque villages and many attractions. With a little more pedaling effort, keep riding into the mountainous landscape of Saguenay to enjoy a scenic view of the majestic fjord at the end of your trip. This package is ideal for those who want to explore the entire region of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean without having to cover long distances on a daily basis. At the end of your tour, we pick you up in La Baie and drive you back to Alma.

Duration : 6 days, 5 nights
Distance : 320 Km
Difficulty level : Intermediate to difficult
Rate from 915$ per person (plus taxes) in double occupancy

Galerie photos

Itinerary

Day 1 : Alma / Sainte-Monique 50 km

For your first day, you’ll hit the road towards Sainte-Monique where you will stay in a charming 3-star inn. Along the way, you’ll find Alma’s history museum L’Odyssée des Bâtisseurs and the must-see Pointe-Taillon National Park where you can enjoy beautiful beaches and go for a swim in the vast Lac St-Jean.

Day 2 : Ste-Monique / Dolbeau-Mistassini 47 km

On your second day, you’re headed to blueberry country! While biking to Dolbeau-Mistassini, you’ll pass many blueberry fields, as well as the Louis-Hémon Museum and the historical site of the Vieux Moulin (Old Mill). Once you’ve reached your destination, you’ll hit the pillow at a 3-star motel. But before stopping for the night, be sure to treat your taste buds to the Pères Trappistes’ delicious chocolates made at Mistassini’s monastery and enjoy a local beer at the microbrewery Le Coureur des Bois.

Day 3 : Dolbeau-Mistassini / St-Félicien 57 km

On the third leg of your trip, pedal your way towards Saint-Félicien and spend the whole day at the renowned Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien (Saint-Félicien Wildlife Zoo). Don’t forget to check what’s on tap at the microbrewery La Chouape before calling it a day at your 3 or 4-star hotel.

Day 4 : St-Félicien / Métabetchouan 66 km

Start your fourth day with cheese! Enjoy a tasting and learn how to make it at the cheese dairy Fromagerie Perron located in the heart of Saint-Prime. Then, travel in time for an afternoon and experience life in the 1920s at Val-Jalbert’s authentic historical village. Cap it off by spending the night in a 3-star accommodation in beautiful Métabetchouan.

Day 5 : Métabetchouan / Jonquière 65 km

On your fifth day, you’ll leave the lowlands of Lac-St-Jean and head towards Saguenay. You will be biking across the Horst de Kenogami, a natural barrier with a more rugged landscape that will take you to Jonquière. Once there, you’ll find the Rivières-aux-Sables Public Market, the Sir-William-Price historical centre as well as two microbreweries: L’HopEra et Voie Maltée. Finally, you’ll hit the sack in a welcoming 3-star inn.

Day 6 : Jonquière / La Baie 40 km

On the sixth and last day, your first stop will be Chicoutimi’s famous little white house. Then, head to the cheese dairy Fromagerie Boivin before finishing your trip in La Baie, where you’ll find many artisans as well as restaurants with a breathtaking view of the Saguenay Fjord. A shuttle will be waiting for you to bring you back to Alma.

Accommodations

All our packages are customizable. Please communicate your needs with one of our employees when making your reservation.

About this Package

Package includes

Return transport,
Meeting explaining the package before departure,
Equinox supervision in the event of a problem,
Personalized luggage shuttle,
Overnight stays in a lodge and breakfasts,
Bicycle bags for your daily luggage,
Private bathroom.

The package does not include

Bicycles (possibility of rental),
Sightseeing tours, midday and evening meals (we give you all the information to find the best places),
Transportation between your city and Alma. (Possibility to travel by bus or train).

F.A.Q

s What is a personalized departure?

A personalized departure is custom-made solution based on your needs. You therefore choose the departure date that suits you best. You will have a private preparation meeting according to your itinerary. Only your group will be present during this meeting.

This is the only type of departure available at Equinox Aventure. We do not have a fixed date departure. We do not offer the option to create groups with people traveling alone, the responsibility of forming a group rests on the customer before booking with us.

s What happens in case of bad weather?

In case of bad weather, our activities still hold. Therefore, we recommend that you bring appropriate clothing for any type of weather.

s Would there be restaurants on the road?

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 Blueberry Tril can be more isolated. Also, some restaurants may have unusual opening hours. When this is the case, we provide you with all the necessary information before you it the road.

You can also view an interactive map here.une carte interactive ici.

s Is the rack included with the panniers?

Racks are not included with the rental of panniers. You must therefore have a rack on your own bike.

As an alternative, we have some small panniers that can be installed on the handlebars. We also have a few racks that can be rented, however these are not compatible with all types of bikes, depending on your bike frame structure.

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 there signal everywhere around Lac-Saint-Jean?

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

s Are there toilets on the road?

Most of the municipalities around Lac-Saint-Jean have rest stops and sanitary blocks accessible for cyclists. You can therefore easily have access to these services near the Blueberry Trail throughout your trip.

Here is the list of the rest stops.

s What is the type of road, the drop, and the level of difficulty of the Blueberry Trail?

The Blueberry Trail is 100% asphalted, with the exception of the 15km of Pointe-Taillon National Park. The whole route is qualified as easy to intermediate. There are only three short inclines of 9% or more.

Distribution according to the Véloroute des Bleuets:

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

s What do the terms Recreational, Cyclo-touring and Cyclosportive mean in the description of the bike packages?

It is a method of classifying tours, inspired by that used by the Véloroute du Fjord du Saguenay.

Recreational itineraries have short distances, little difference in elevation and are suitable for family outings.
The classified cyclo-tourism circuit are designed to cover longer distances while remaining accessible to all. They allow time to visit tourist attractions and appreciate the landscapes of the region.
The Cyclosportive itinerary, on the other hand, are more difficult and will suit experienced cyclists who want a journey with long distances and more elevations.

s In what does the support offered by Equinox Aventure consist of?

Our support ensures that you can escape with peace of mind. If there are any problems, you can contact us and we will find a solution for you. We can, for example, offer a bicycle replacement in the event of mechanical breakdown or transport in the event of an injury on the road.

We also provide you with the necessary tools so that you can remain independent in the event of a minor breakage such as a flat tire.