Experience French joie de vivre right here in North America! Step into history and take in the European ambiance in the heart of southern Québec’s Eastern Townships. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachians, discover a land of enchanted forests, babbling brooks and peaceful lakes. Pedal along undiscovered country roads and specially designed bike paths through covered bridges, past serene monasteries, and spectacular round barns. Listen for the toll of local church bells. The perfect souvenir awaits your discovery among the many galleries, studios and antique shops that populate the many picturesque villages you’ll encounter. Each night settle into your cozy accommodation and be treated to first-class cuisine. You’ll never forget your visit to this breathtaking corner of Canada.

Only Great Explorations:

· Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences
· Order off the menu at restaurants you won’t find in guidebooks
· Distinctive, charming hotels too small for larger groups
· We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises

Location

Magog

Magog, QC, Canada

Day 1+2

Stanstead

Stanstead, QC, Canada

Day 3

Ayer's Cliff

Ayer's Cliff, QC, Canada

Day 3

North Hatley

North Hatley, QC, Canada

Day 4+5+6

Sherbrooke

Sherbrooke, QC, Canada

Day 5

What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?

INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP

Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guides
Support vehicle
5 nights lodging
All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and all dinners but 1
Entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums
Detailed map and route instructions
All baggage transportation
All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off (see arrive/depart cities)

Particulars

EVENT DATES

2023

Jun 22-27
Aug 24-29
Aug 31-Sep 5
Sep 6-11

2024

Jun 20-25
July 22-26
Aug 22-27
Aug 29-Sep 3
Sep 5-10

Trip can start at any date. Self-guided and custom trips also available. Call or email for details.

TRIP SIZE

4-16 participants

TOTAL DAYS

6 days / 5 nights

ARRIVE / DEPART

Magog / North Hatley

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate. Average daily distance is 55 km (35 miles).

TERRAIN

Some gently rolling hills but generally level.

COST

Land Cost:
CAD $2,550*
Includes 5B/2L/4D

Single Supplement:
CAD $640*

Bike Rentals

Hybrid or Racing Bikes: CAD$280

E-Bikes: CAD$400

*Prices before tax. Province of Quebec applies 14.975% GST+QST.

Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. Due to cancellations and waiting lists, trip availability fluctuates daily. If you have any questions or would like to confirm space on this trip before making your reservation, please contact us at info@great-explorations.com or by telephone at 604.730.1247.

Getting there

It is possible to reach Montreal by air from all major Canadian cities and most major American cities. Magog can be reached by bus from Montreal. Or a private transfer from Montréal to the tour start can be arranged. If you are coming from the United States, Magog is only a short drive north of the Vermont / Canada border via Interstate 91. If travelling by car, it is possible to leave your car in Magog, where you will be able to pick it up at the end of your cycling trip.


1

Day 1

Magog

Arrive in Magog, known as the ‘jewel box of the Townships’. Take the time to discover the vibrant main street, filled with boutiques and restaurants. You may also choose to explore the lake-front walking and cycling paths. This afternoon you will meet your guide at 4:00 and get fitted to your bikes.

2

Day 2

Magog

Pedal along the shores of Lake Memphrémagog en route to the lakefront Abbey Saint-Benoît-du-Lac — where Benedictine monks have worked and lived since the early part of last century. Be sure to pick up a few supplies for a picnic lunch at the monastery, which is famous for excellent cheeses and apple cider. It is then off to take up the challenge of cycling through Mount Orford Provincial Park along the Trans-Canada Trail. This wonderful park is noted for the beauty of its scenery. Ending your day in Magog, with a relaxing dip in one of its many beaches.
Distance: 69 km, elevation gain 636 m or 88 km, gain 794 m.*

3

Day 3

Ayer’s Cliff

Leave Magog to cycle through the rolling foothills of the Appalachians, encountering a postcard-picturesque covered bridge and scenic little hamlets. Reach the American border town of Beebe Plain, where the main street straddles the border. Enjoy lunch in Standstead and then continue north to Ayer’s Cliff and Lac Massawippi.
Distance: 65 km, elevation gain 580 m.*

4

Day 4

North Hatley

As you wind your way north, stop and learn how cheese is made at a farm that has been doing so for 4 generations. The family farm also has a sugar shack where they make organic maple syrup from their 6000 maple trees on the property. In Comptom, investigate the many studios and antique shops in the area. This village has long been a haven for artists and artisans, and is renowned for its wonderful antiques and art. Arrive to North Hatley, founded in 1897 and one of the most beautiful small towns of Québec. Visit the artisanal pastry shop Saveurs et Gourmandises.
Distance: 42 km, elevation gain 360 m.*

5

Day 5

North Hatley

Your day ride out of North Hatley takes you through a diversity of experiences – beautiful countryside with quiet forests, rolling pastures and stunning vistas, to a riverside bike network through the City of Sherbrooke – the 7th largest city in Quebec. Take the time to explore the delightful architectural heritage, amazing art galleries and excellent museums, before you weave your way back to North Hatley via the university town of Lennoxville. After a final night reception, we’ll dine in the Tap Room of Manoir Hovey. Typical of Eastern Township restaurants, you’ll find a friendly ambiance and enjoy imaginative dishes featuring local products such as Abénaki poutines, half-cockerels, lobster rolls, Québec bred Wagyu beef burgers and more. Bon Appétit.
Distance: 50 km, elevation gain 400 m.*

6

Day 6

Departure Day

Take a final stroll around North Hatley or do some last minute souvenir hunting, before departing for another adventure.

*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.

 

Hotel Boutique Verso, Magog

With an outstanding view of Lake Memphremagog, this property was re-designed in 2021 into a boutique hotel with contemporary decor and friendly, attentive service. Downtown Magog is 600m away.


Lee Farm Inn, Stanstead

This historic and charming inn is located on a 200 year old estate with a rich Canadian history. This 5-star B&B is the perfect balance of luxury and tranquility.


Auberge La Chocolatière, North Hatley

Nestled on the shores of Massawipi Lake in the centre of North Hatley, this chocolate-themed inn offers a lake view. It features a restaurant with fireplace and an on-site boutique.
You will enjoy a breakfast of chocolate crepes or waffles!



			

Trip Reviews

October 28, 2022

“The guides were simply the best and made our experience over our expectations. My Travel Advisor was very helpful and patient with my many requests.”

October 28, 2022

“Our guides were amazing! They went way above and beyond in so many ways to make our trip memorable! The support vehicle was available for any reason. Very good communication from the Travel Advisor!”

October 28, 2022

“We had such a fun time on this trip. The guides were terrific – they were amazing, fun, competent, super athletic walking encyclopedias and interesting. Both made out trip extra enjoyable and we would travel with both of them again in a flash. I loved the little Quebec villages and all the places we stopped along the way. I loved the cheese factory and seeing the monastery. The dinners were all exceptional.”

October 28, 2022

“Great value for the quality of the vacation. The Eastern Townships region is very beautiful and hilly, which I enjoyed. The scenery was nice and the biking was challenging enough that I got a good workout without being too tired. All the hotels were lovely! The restaurants we went to were so amazing. Our guide was great in reviewing the day’s ride and providing a peek at the terrain and any stops that were planned or to do on our own”

October 7, 2019

“Thank you so much for organizing such an awesome trip…….and for getting me an e-bike. Without the e-bike I don’t think that I would have been able to do the ride with my injury so the extra effort you made was greatly appreciated! This was my first guided cycling trip and I enjoyed everything about it. The routes, the B & B’s, the restaurant choices and Jean as a guide. His enthusiasm and knowledge for the area truly made the experience so much better than if we had done a self guided trip. I have never been to Quebec before and now I have a much greater appreciation for both the beauty and the culture of the Province. Once again thank you for a truly wonderful experience. I will definitely be booking any further trips through your company!”

October 7, 2019

“The riding was delightful. I also enjoyed the evening meals and tours. My favourite stopover was North Hatley and really appreciated Irina’s attention to detail at her Inn. Jean was a lot of fun and made sure everyone was having a good time. All of the hotels were comfortable and lovely. The hosts/hostesses were very welcoming and accommodating. My favourite meals were in Magog and the pub in North Hatley. The ride was definitely more difficult than I expected. It would not have been enjoyable if I hadn’t had an ebike. I’m glad I did it.”

October 7, 2019

“Everything was great – guide, hotels, scenery and food. Loved the restaurants, guide and inns. Best meal at Manoir Hovey. I liked the perfurmerie, milk tasting. We didn’t need the map because of the great guide. The rides were more difficult than expected but it was fine.”

October 7, 2019

“The best bike trip we have ever done (out of about 8). Wonderful guides, great location and weather, awesome accomodations and meals, wonderful people. The locations were so amazing. The bikes were in perfect condition (new). The guides were fun, energetic and interesting. The Bed & Breakfast locations were very nice and the proprieters were very welcoming. Beautiful scenery, interesting towns and attractions, wonderful meals. We enjoyed all the hotels. I particualrily liked the one in North Hatley as the proprieter was so interesting and made wonderful breakfasts. I really enjoyed the meals everywhere. The meal in Vermont was memorable. We were luck in that there was a wine festival in Magog when we arrived. We enjoyed the Grange parfumery. We loved the milk tasting! Our guide was so familiar with the area that we did not need maps. I liked the level of difficulty but the second ride was tough.”

October 7, 2019

“I enjoyed the camaraderie. Best meals: Alesso. Manoir Hovey. The place in Sherbrooke for lunch. Loved the milk tasting. In terms of riding it was hillier than anticipated.”

September 19, 2016

“The best bikes that we have ever rented! Gears worked flawlessly and nice personnel at the shop. The maps were very clear but the written instructions would have been too much to read when en route. We really appreciated our guide’s knowledge of the area. Les Boisees de Lee Farm was perfect! Our hosts were welcoming and accommodating. Invited us to select the room we preferred rather than assigning a room, welcomed us to swim in their pool which was great after a hot day of cycling, and drove us to the nearby market for wine and snacks.”

September 10, 2016

“The cycling was lovely with beautiful scenery. It was a little harder than I had anticipated with many more steep hills. I live in a hilly area and thought I was prepared but not prepared enough. I loved the wide open vistas along some of the routes. I also loved the bike trail we did, the Tomifobia. The covered bridges and the little farms we wonderful. The hotels were superb. We enjoyed the visit to the monastery and the chanting monks. We also visited a lavender farm and cheese factory and enjoyed them both. The bikes were excellent. We also had no technical issues. Our luggage was always at the next hotel, waiting for us.”

August 21, 2015

“Slightly more difficult than expected, but very comfortable bikes. Our Guide was fabulous – loved him – he loved biking and it was very obvious – also took us to his favorite swimming and hiking places – He became part of our family in 4 days! I can not express how helpful, enthusiastic, skilled and friendly he was – This was his first tour with Great Explorations and I hope for the sake of your company he will continue to do many more – An extraordinary individual”

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