Why You Shouldn't Ride the P'tit Train du Nord Out and Back
Riding 200 km out and back on Quebec’s famous P'tit Train du Nord sounds great on paper—until you realize you’re stuck on a flat, crowded path with a strict 25 km/h speed limit.
So, we did something better: we mapped a secret 470 km loop that climbs into the wild, cell service free logging roads of the Laurentians before blasting back down the rail trail. Here’s how to trade the crowds for pure backcountry gravel (and find the best hidden chocolate shop in Canada along the way).
Expedition Snapshot
Distance: 470 km
Elevation Gain: 3,000 m (Rolling terrain, no massive mountain passes)
Duration: 3 Days (Loop starting from Montreal up to Mont Laurier, stopping at Lac à la Loutre, Rivière Rouge, and Mont-Tremblant)
Terrain: Pristine gravel forestry roads, dirt fire roads, and smooth packed rail trail
Accommodation: Local B&Bs and boutique hotels (traveling light with minimal setup)
Resupply: 100% self reliant for mid day food and water filters on the remote northern leg; abundant towns, water stops, and bakeries on the southern return
Who Is This Expedition For?
Mental Toughness: Low to Moderate. This is a rewarding, low stress ride, though long humid days and sudden late summer downpours require a good attitude.
Fitness Level: Intermediate. Covering 470 km over 3 days requires steady endurance, even if the rolling hills aren't overly steep.
Technical Bike Skills: Beginner to Intermediate. Fire roads and fine gravel make this extremely accessible for anyone comfortable on a gravel bike.
Wilderness Experience: Perfect for cyclists getting into gravel touring who want to experience remote woods and wildlife without severe alpine danger.
Ready to Ride Remote?
Want to explore off grid gravel routes without worrying about navigation or offline GPS tracks? Skip the generic highway paths and discover hidden backcountry loops with expert guidance.
The Upward Stream: Pure Isolation on the Fire Roads
Heading north toward Mont Laurier, the route breaks away from the crowd. For miles, you are surrounded by deep Laurentian forests and quiet lakes with some beautiful private properties.
Flawless Gravel: The terrain on the way up consists of ideal fire roads and smooth dirt tracks. It offers all the variety of off grid riding without the monotony of blacktop.
Wildlife & Safety: The woods are full of wildlife. You will regularly spot deer along the trail edge, keep a steady eye out as they startle easily. While bear encounters are rare, carrying bear spray in these remote stretches is standard protocol.
Off Grid Water & Navigation: Cell service drops frequently in the northern woods. Having pre loaded route files on a Garmin GPS is essential. For hydration, you are surrounded by lakes, but carrying a lightweight water filtration system is mandatory for filling up between towns.
The Return: P'tit Train du Nord & The Babacool Lifesaver
Once you hit Mont Laurier and turn south on the P'tit Train du Nord, the ride changes completely.
Speed Limits & Crowds: While the gravel climb north offers total freedom and open trail, the P'tit Train du Nord gets busy as you approach towns, enforcing a strict 25 km/h speed limit.
The Bike Choice: Ridden on a Cube Nuroad gravel bike, 45mm tires gravel, the return leg is fast and predictable. Traveling light with B&B stays means higher performance and easier miles on the flat rail trail.
The Highlight at Café Babacool: After hours of pedaling through heavy rain and thick humidity, the fatigue started to set in between Tremblant and Montreal. Right on cue, we stumbled upon Café Babacool. Run by a wonderful local maker who crafts her own artisan chocolates on site, a hot latte and fresh chocolate turned out to be the ultimate leg saver for the team.
Gear & Setup: Fast & Light
A lightweight gravel setup is ideal for balancing rough backcountry logging roads with smooth rail trail miles.
Bike Setup: Cube Nuroad gravel bike, 45mm tires gravel. Lightweight, versatile, and fast on both fire roads and packed gravel.
Packing Strategy: B&B and hotel stays mean you only need essential clothing, tools, and rain gear, no heavy camping equipment required.
Timing: August is the sweet spot for Quebec. Early summer brings heavy blackflies and mosquitoes in the northern part, but late summer offers clear trails, warm temperatures, and far fewer bugs.
Ride Off the Grid with Chasseurs de Cols
Whether you want to explore the wilderness of North America or tackle extreme high altitude mountain passes in the Alps in Europe, we build custom gravel and bikepacking journeys tailored to your riding style.
Expert Field Guidance: Route planning, offline navigation, and full safety support.
Custom Logistics: Tailored accommodation, gear advice, and local culture highlights.
Small Group Expeditions: Intimate group sizes for a true wilderness feel.
