Although summer has come to an end, cycling in the fall can be one of the most spectacular times of the year to ride.
Temperatures are generally cooler, but the days are still long enough to enjoy a good ride. Above all, the landscape is completely transformed as the fall colours arrive.
In both Quebec and Ontario, numerous routes offer cyclists the opportunity to enjoy this particularly beautiful season for cycling.
Eastern Townships in Fall Colours
La Véloroute gourmande Eastern Townships / Le Cycliste du dimanche
The Eastern Townships naturally ranks among the destinations to consider for a fall cycling trip, whether on bike paths, roads or gravel routes.
These routes pass through areas where forests are a major part of the landscape. In the fall, shades of red, orange and yellow give the scenery an entirely different look.
A multi-day cycling trip allows you to take your time discovering the region’s villages and attractions while enjoying scenery that changes with almost every turn of the pedals.
Montérégie, Between Orchards and Vineyards
The neighbouring Montérégie region is also a great destination for cyclists looking for the fall fireworks display.
Away from the more urban areas, cyclists discover agricultural landscapes, orchards, wooded areas and small roads that are well suited to rides lasting several hours or several days. It is also a great time to stop along the way and take a few photos.
With the grape harvest in full swing, the region’s vineyards welcome wine lovers and foodies looking to sample local products.
Our cycling routes:
La Véloroute gourmande (Eastern Townships–Montérégie)
Boucle Centre-Est (Montérégie)
Heading to Ontario
Fall-colour enthusiasts can also cross the border and continue their cycling trip in Ontario, where the colours tend to arrive a little later.
Niagara for vineyards. / Files
The Niagara region is particularly appealing at this time of year. Vineyards, country roads and wooded areas offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fall scenery on two wheels.
Farther east, the area along Lake Ontario also lends itself to multi-day cycling trips. An itinerary between Toronto and Cornwall offers the opportunity to discover different communities and part of southern Ontario along the lake, including the magnificent Thousand Islands region.
For cyclists, the appeal of such a trip is that there is no need to do everything in a single day. You can take your time, stop in villages, meet local residents and visit a few attractions while fully enjoying the fall scenery.
Our cycling routes:
The Canals (Brockville to Montreal)
Vineyards and Islands (Belleville to Brockville)
In all of these regions, fall festivals are organized for visitors looking to enjoy the colourful landscapes.
Whether you choose the Eastern Townships, Montérégie, the Niagara region or the shores of Lake Ontario, fall offers an excellent opportunity to discover new cycling routes.
Making Your Ride Easier
A cycling trip, even through landscapes enhanced by colourful autumn leaves, still requires some planning. You need to think about your luggage, transportation to the starting point and, in the case of a point-to-point route, getting back to your vehicle.
Voyager à vélo make things easier. / Le Cycliste du dimanche
That is where the services offered by Voyager à vélo can make things easier.
Fall colours only last for a few weeks. Might as well enjoy them… by bike!