Distance
456km
% Unpaved
86%
Ascent
4634m
High Point
488m
Difficulty
5/10
Rivière-du-Loup Loop
It must be stated, and stressed, that although this route has been plotted and I feel as though it is a viable route, it has NOT YET been ridden and tested. There is a good chance that some of the route is plotted on ATV trails and will need corrections to be done before it is complete. If you decide to ride this route prior to this note being edited, I would love your feedback and any re-routing you were required to do. Much appreciated. Chris
The Rivière-du-Loup Loop is a 450km loop in the Bas-Saint-Laurent (Lower St. Larenence). This is the part of the St. Laurence River that widens out East of Quebec City. It is mostly encompassed by the Appalachian Mountain range, the oldest mountain range in N. America.
Along the route you will ride the Route Verte #8, gravel roads, paved roads, and back roads crossing up and over the Appalachian Mountain range. While not overly large this can provide a challenge at any time. From gnarly loose gravel climbs, puddles after rain, and mud in the lesser used forest roads, this route can provide a challenge to all. Add to that the humidity of the summer season, mosquitos and blackflies, minimal re-supply options for large sections of the route, necessitating substantial planning and preparation so as not to put oneself at risk. This is the kind of adventure you will not likely forget.
The route has been planned and plotted, but not yet ridden by myself or anyone I know. Some sections of the route follow those of the Quebec Bikepacking Traverse, but otherwise the route is unchecked. If you happen to go out and ride the route and want to provide an update, please reach out to me at bike@bikepackadventures.ca
This route was developed by Chris Panasky, creator of the Bike Tour Adventures Podcast
- Petit-Témis Interprovincial Trail
- Lac-Témiscouata National Park
- Mountain and forestry roads
- Gravel roads
- Remote lakes
- Rural towns
- Mountain Bike: For mountain bikes, it is recommended to use tires on the bigger end of the spectrum, in order to provide as much comfort as possible. 3″ tires would be overkill, but something in the 2.25″ to 2.6″ range would be ideal. A full-suspension bike would also be overkill.
- Gravel Bike: This route can either be ridden with a cyclocross or gravel bike. If riding a cyclocross bike, use 38C tires, but be aware that some of the roads can be quite chunky and tough with the smaller tires of a cyclocross bike. If using a gravel bike with 700 wheels, you’ll want to use the biggest tires possible for your rig.
- Setup: Run tubeless if possible. You can use bikepacking style bags or a hybrid setup with small panniers. A lighter set-up allows of easier riding, especially in the hillier and more technical sections. You are also going to want to have a wide-range of gear options for climbing the bigger and tougher hills.
- Hotels: There are not many towns along the route, but there are some options along the way to Lac Témiscouata, near km 187 and again towards the end of the ride. This might be the perfect time to get a shower, clean some clothes and have a proper meal.
- Campgrounds: Check the POI’s for camping locations and use your diligence to look over the maps beforehand.
- Wild camping: When wild camping, do your best to leave no trace. Find a quiet spot near a lake, in a field, etc. Quebec is not like Ontario, where maps of Crown land indicate where camping may be possible. In my judgement, I would just stealthily avoid being seen.
- Fresh water everywhere: This part of Quebec is liberally covered in lakes and rivers. These are all great locations to fill up water bottles. Be sure to always use a water filter or purification tablets to avoid getting sick. There are also water taps near the areas with camping where you can fill up.
- Restaurants/Cafes/Bars: Throughout this route it is very important that you are mindful of your food and snack supplies. There are some large gaps where no resupply will be possible and it will be necessary to stock up. This is particularly so between the 140km and 240km mark and between the 250km and 386km mark.
My assessment on the difficulty of this route is preliminary as I have not yet ridden the route. My assessment is based off route information and educational guesses.
Average Physical Difficulty – 5
1-2 – Relatively level riding
3-4 – Regular rolling terrain with sustained climbing
5-6 – Rugged terrain with frequent climbs, some of which may be steep and unrelenting
7-8 – Very rugged terrain with abundant climbing, some of which is very steep and unrideable
9-10 – Numerous very steep, climbs requiring bike-pushing and/or carrying
Average Technical Difficulty – 5
1-2 – Smooth riding surface with few obstacles (e.g., graded dirt roads, rail trails); suitable for novice mountain bikers
3-4 – Track has occasional obstacles and steep sections (e.g., maintained forest roads, mellow singletrack); suitable for beginner mountain bikers
5-6 – Continuous sections of track may be rocky, loose, and steep; (e.g., 4×4 roads or singletrack in rugged/rocky terrain) suitable for intermediate mountain bikers
7-8 – Narrow trail with regular obstacles, sustained steep grades; suitable for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers
9-10 – Very challenging riding with frequent large obstacles, exposure, very steep grades; suitable for advanced mountain bikers
The Rivière-du-Loup Loop was created by the team at Bikepack Adventures as part of a series of loops through the Gaspé Peninsula. It’s sharing on this website is for informational purposes only.
