When you arrive in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, it almost feels as though it was designed specifically for cycling.
The farther you ride, the more the landscape reveals itself: valleys, mountains, and of course the magnificent St. Lawrence River. Scenic vistas unfold with every turn of the pedals.
All the ingredients for a memorable cycling tour are here: accessible long-distance routes, welcoming villages, and stunning maritime scenery.
Add to that a wide variety of accommodations and an impressive culinary scene.
The corridor between Rivière-du-Loup and Rimouski is ideal for discovery rides. It is exactly the kind of setting that makes you want to slow down, take frequent breaks, and travel without heavy panniers.
From Rivière-du-Loup to Rimouski by Bike: The Best of Bas-Saint-Laurent
Cyclists can follow the Route Verte, which combines sections of Highway 132 with quieter alternative roads.
La Pointe Park Rivière-du-Loup.
As a starting point, why not choose an inspiring location where the river becomes so vast that it feels like riding along the sea? Parc de la Pointe provides the perfect opportunity to soak in the scenery and gather energy before setting off.
A few kilometres later, a striking contrast appears. The Gros-Cacouna sector is home to a seaport where massive vessels unload bulk cargo and forest products.
These port facilities share the shoreline with the Baie-de-l’Isle-Verte National Wildlife Area, a protected coastal strip stretching roughly 20 kilometres along the south shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary. The reserve protects coastal habitats and migratory birds.
The area is open to visitors, who are encouraged to respect the environment and leave no trace of their visit.
The Route Verte then follows a series of inland roads—what locals call traveling “dans les terres,” meaning away from the riverbanks. The route leads to Parc du Sault Mackenzie and then to Trois-Pistoles, in the heart of the Basques region.
Accompanied by the salty air blowing in from the estuary, it is a wonderful place to spend the hottest days of summer. This is the perfect moment to stop along the waterfront promenade or on the town wharf, where you can watch the ferry arrive and depart or chat with anglers fishing for smelt.
The area offers accommodations and
Trois-Pistoles
restaurants. The region takes pride in its cheeses, charcuterie, and seafood products, which can be enjoyed in public parks overlooking the river.
For a significant stretch of the route, cyclists are spared Highway 132. That is good news because Autoroute 20 ends nearby, making the provincial highway busier and less welcoming for cyclists. Instead, the route follows quiet country roads that repeatedly reconnect with the shores of the St. Lawrence.
About forty kilometres later, riders reach the renowned Parc national du Bic.
Renowned above all for its beauty, the park lies within the maritime estuary of the St.
Bic national Park.
Lawrence and features dramatic headlands, bays, coves, islands, and mountains. It is the perfect place to experience the sounds and scents of the sea while enjoying the refreshing marine breeze. Visitors can often spot seals basking on rocks near the shoreline. The atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing.
The park can be explored through 15 kilometres of cycling trails ranging from easy to intermediate difficulty.
It is the final stop before arriving in Rimouski, the region’s largest city, which offers numerous services and attractions.
This journey along the St. Lawrence feels like riding through a succession of postcards. It is a trip where the river accompanies every pedal stroke and where each stop becomes a new discovery.
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