Véloroute des Bleuets | Discover Lac-Saint-Jean by bike!
Located in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, the Véloroute des Bleuets circuit offers a unique experience thanks to a breathtaking natural landscape with many agrotourism and cultural attractions. In fact, according to National Geographic, the Véloroute des Bleuets is one of the 10 most beautiful cycling routes in the world.
Whether you are a family, solo, or in a group, the Véloroute des Bleuets circuit is a must for cyclists, but also for nature and tourism lovers. The Véloroute des Bleuets is distinguished by a wide range of services to ensure visitor comfort.
Would you like to share special moments through unique cycle tourism routes? Let us inform you about the characteristics of the Véloroute des Bleuets as well as the best attractions that you may come across along the way. To your pedals!
What is the Véloroute des Bleuets?
The Véloroute de Bleuets is a cycling circuit around Lac Saint-Jean. Featuring a fascinating natural route and tourist and agro-tourism attractions, the circuit offers an unparalleled experience to cyclists of all categories (family cycling, recreational cycling, cyclotourism, or performance cycling).
Lac-Saint-Jean stands out for the warm welcome of its residents and local artisans. The Véloroute des Bleuets is the first electrified cycling circuit in North America. It provides charging stations (Vélovoûtes) to charge electrically assisted bicycles all around the circuit.
The route
The Véloroute des Bleuets is a 256 km loop circuit that circles Lac Saint-Jean, a true inland sea located in northern Quebec. It crosses 15 municipalities as well as the Montagnais community of Mashteuiatsh.
In addition to its main circuit, the cycling circuit is divided into four associated circuits:
- The associated network of Saint-Félicien;
- The City of Alma municipal circuit;
- Kénogami horst;
- Pointe-Taillon National Park.
The Véloroute des Bleuets can also be traveled with in-line skates or on foot by running and hiking enthusiasts.
Themed tours are also offered to users: the Circuit des Amusées allows you to discover ten Lac-Saint-Jean museums along the way and the Route des bières offers an immersive experience for fans of brewing products.
The Véloroute des Bleuets: A varied circuit accessible to all
No matter what type of cycling you prefer, the Véloroute de Bleuets includes various circuits adapted to your level.
Performance cycling
If you're a regular cyclist looking to improve your performance, you can work your thighs by riding down long, hilly roads.
Family ride
Whether you are a family or a couple, the Véloroute de Bleuets circuit offers multiple low-level cycle paths for a leisurely outing. You can also take advantage of the paved shoulders, which are at least one meter wide, for a touring bike ride around Lac Saint-Jean.
Mountain biking
If you are a fatbike enthusiast, the Véloroute offers you more than 180 km of trails to ride on a mountain bike or a fatbike. Whether you are an advanced rider or a beginner, you can enjoy a wonderful route and breathtaking panoramic views in complete safety.
Cycling tourism: what to do on the Véloroute des Bleuets
Gourmet experiences
All along the Véloroute circuit, you are invited to taste local products: From artisanal organic cheese of the Bouchard Artisan Bio farm, to Beemer regional beer, and of course, famous blueberries that can be picked directly from our local producers.
Exploration of splendid parks
Lac-Saint-Jean is home to numerous parks with an abundance of wildlife, rivers, and a bewitching boreal forest. At the Trou de la Fée Cave Park, you will be dazzled by the canyon of the tumultuous Métabetchouane River, as well as by the cave and the immersive show presented on the site (plan for a distance of 7.5 km from the Véloroute).
Visit historic buildings
Prepare to step back in time a century at the Val-Jalbert Historical Village. It is a destination that takes you back in time to the era of Quebec’s first pulp mills. Several activities are available on site for the whole family.
Various activities
From Chambord to Saint-Félicien, many activities and rest areas are accessible from the Véloroute. Here are the stops not to be missed!
On your way, a stop at the Chambord rest area is a must for a breathtaking view of the lake. This place is also perfect for a successful picnic. In Roberval, enjoy a soft ice cream at La Vache Copine Dairy Bar, take a walk at the Club Nautique Roberval, take advantage of the many restaurants on site and pay a visit to the Maison du vélo.
In Mashteuiatsh, you will find a welcome centre and electric bike terminals. You can also learn more about the history and culture of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh (Ilnus du Lac-Saint-Jean) at the Mashteuiatsh Amerindian Museum. For a night of camping or simply to admire one of the most beautiful views of Lac Saint-Jean, go to Camping Plage Robertson.
There is also the beautiful Saint-Prime municipal beach, in front of which is the Perron boutique, where you can find a host of regional products (not to mention its delicious cheese).
It is impossible to make a stop in Saint-Félicien without visiting the Zoo sausage de Saint-Félicien, known for its natural site and respect for animals. The site is also accessible by bicycle.
A day of cycling whets the appetite! That's a good thing, because many restaurants are accessible along the Véloroute des Bleuets circuit. In Roberval, treat yourself to St-Alfonse, L’Emporte-moi, or Le Draveur. In Saint-Félicien, relax with friends with a beer or two at Microbrasserie la Chouape, or enjoy a good meal at Maison Banville.
A multitude of services accessible to cyclists
Whether it’s for equipment, refreshment points, accommodation, or relaxation, the Véloroute de Bleuets offers all the services you need along the route.
Other services available:
- A cycling centre in Roberval to welcome and inform cyclists;
- Luggage transport and shuttle services;
- A shop for all clothing and accessories for cyclists of all categories with a bike guide;
- A Desjardins Vélomobile that criss-crosses the circuit throughout the summer period;
- More than sixty ambassadors trained in first aid and bicycle mechanics who pedal through the circuit all summer long;
- Five Vélovoûtes to charge electrically assisted bicycles;
- Interactive geolocated maps available free of charge via the Ondago mobile application (these maps are accessible offline);
- Signage adapted to the needs of cyclists;
- About fifty accommodations certified as Welcome cyclists! such as B&Bs, hotels, and campgrounds;
- 35 cycle rest areas with tables, benches, and bike racks and 16 repair stations;
- Water and sanitation facilities along the route; • Numerous accesses to the lake, beaches, or nearby rivers;
- Free parking;
- Six mountain bike and/or fatbike centres affiliated with the Véloroute des Bleuets;
- More than 100 partner businesses, services for cyclists, restaurants, accommodation, activities, and attractions;
- Implementation of COVID-19 security measures.
COVID-19
To ensure a safe visit, specific measures have been put in place by the various tourist attractions. However, it is possible that some of their activities or services have been suspended due to restrictive Public Health standards. Before making a reservation, contact the tourist site by phone or consult their website.