This fabulous, fun-filled region—biking, hiking, climbing and swimming—is at Montréal’s doorstep! Foodies can enjoy local products, sports enthusiasts can appreciate the outdoors activities in the mountains, and history buffs will be astounded by the wealth of the region’s heritage.
How to get there
Distance between main cities
Did you know?
To be discovered absolutely
Depending on your tastes, there are three ways to approach this region. Are you a foodie, or someone who thrives on being active, or an intellect? No matter your passion, all roads lead to the Laurentides.
The Chemin du Terroir
Signposted for over 226 km, the Chemin du Terroir in the Laurentides region passes through a rural territory bursting with treasures.
This 226-km (140-mi.) route is a foodie’s paradise, featuring 20 or so gourmet events, 22 stops that will make your mouth water with delight, a museum and two parks—after all, you’ll need a break to digest!
Ice wine is made from grapes harvested frozen.
You’ll find everything under the sun, from traditionally milled flour, sparkling and ice wines, to flowers, homemade jams, a wide variety of apples, mead, and even an old-style sugar shack guaranteed to please maple lovers. You can also taste “Dieu du ciel!” craft beer or stop in at a local smokehouse that smokes an array of meats and produces its own charcuteries. Treat yourself to this feast for the soul and enjoy the journey!
The Route des Belles-Histoires
It’s all based on a novel set in the 19thcentury. The beautiful Donalda marries the wealthy but miserly and nasty Séraphin Poudrier. He was as wicked as they come—otherwise there wouldn’t have been much of a plot!
Author Claude-Henri Grignon parachutes his fictional characters into the true story of Curé Labelle, a parish priest and veritable hero who fought for a railway to be built between Montréal and Mont-Laurier to ensure the region’s survival. That’s the backstory for this 284-km (176-mi.) tourist route.
The Curé Labelle was really nicknamed the “Roi du Nord” (king of the north).
Today, the train no longer runs. In its place is the P’tit Train du Nord linear park, a 232-km (144-mi.) multi-use trail providing a north-south corridor in your land of adventure.
The “belles histoires,” or wonderful tales, are brought to life by museums, train stations converted into cafés and interpretation centres, parks and covered bridges, heritage tours, theatres and even a podcast.
The P’tit Train du Nord linear park
Linked to the region’s history, the old railway line of the P’tit Train du Nord has become a bike path. This 234-km section of the Route Verte runs through nature and villages. In the summer, take to the trail on foot or by bike (your luggage can be transported). In the winter, enjoy cross-country skiing in the south and snowmobiling in the north.
With a delightful blend of rural and urban elements, the park has a certain romantic air about it, following rivers and flirting with mountains, lakes and forests.
It’s easier to pedal from north to south due to the downward slope of the land.
The former train stations, lively and welcoming to all travellers, have been transformed into cafés, inns, shops, museums, galleries, studios and bike repair shops, providing all the necessary services and amenities to park visitors.
What’s more, the user-friendly site also offers a shuttle service. Visitors can leave their car at point A, and their luggage gets transported from inn to inn. After reaching point B, they are brought back to point A along with their bicycle and luggage.
