Segment VI

Québec Bikepacking Traverse

56% non-pavé

8%
unpaved road
48%
unpaved bikepath
4%
paved bikepath
40%
paved road

215 kilometers

2 002 mètres de dénivelé positif

9,3 m / km

Parc national du Bic
Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata
Connect with:

Segment V

Rimouski - Appalaches Shortcut

Charlevoix - Rivière-du-Loup Shortcut

Segment VII

External links:

Rimouski - Forestville Ferry

Ferry shuttle l’Épinoche from parc national du Lac-Témiscouata

Petit Temis Interprovincial Trail

 

BAS-SAINT-LAURENT

Rimouski – Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata

 

 

Welcome on the St. Lawrence Southern shore!

The segment VI of the Québec Bikepacking Traverse differs quite a lot from the other segments by its proximity to Quebec's backbone, the catalyst of economical, cultural and social development of this nation: the Saint Lawrence River. In French, we say "fleuve", which has a higher hierarchy than "rivière", because it reaches the ocean. This "fleuve" is the main character of Quebec. It was the gigantic way of communication of the Natives, it was the front door of European explorers and it's now the exit door to the world, essential to our commerce. 

On this segment, we loose the eastward orientation of the QcBT, going upriver toward the Southwest. This detour is worthy, in order to appreciate the enchanting marine sights of the river. A few kilometers after leaving the city of Rimouski, the route enters the popular Bic national park, where we can find a concentration of small rounded hills typical to the region. The road along the St. Lawrence isn't flat, as those rocky hills with a steep northern slope and a relatively gentle southern slope needs to be overcome, like Appalachian folds reaching the St. Lawrence. At Rivière-du-Loup, the route leaves the river and embark on the Petit-Temis, an unpaved bikepath that sits on a former train track crossing the Appalachians. This path will bring us to Temiscouata Lake, where there is a small ferry shuttle from the Lac-Témiscouata national park to cross the lake dominating a long glaciation-origin valley.

This segment borrow part of Route Verteroute 1 and 6. Even though with a wavy profile along the St Lawrence, segment VI is one of the easiest to travel, because amongst other things it has the highest proportion of paved roads and bike paths. We don't ride a lot on "la 132", the main road. The Littoral Basque pathway, running alongside the "fleuve", sometimes in forest and in heights, will impress. The segment's last tier on the former train track also guarantee a slope never going over 4%. It is possible to jump this segment, fully or in part, by taking either the Rimouski - Appalaches Shortcutor the Charlevoix – Rivière-du-Loup Shortcut. However, it promises a definitely distinct landscape than the rest of the QcBT.

Merci à Marie-Pier Savard pour ses photos

Parc national du Bic
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Parc national du Bic
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⇒ Discover the emblematic Bic national park through its bike paths and charming landscapes
⇒ Feel the marine breeze riding along the imposing St. Lawrence River
⇒ Observe cormorans and other marine birds living at tides' rhythm
⇒ Cross the Appalachians softly, enjoying the tranquility of the forest
The Rimouski - Forestville ferry runs May to September, with 2 to 3 departures a day, for a duration of 60 minutes. You need to consider a fare for each passager plus each bike, payable onboard. It's also possible to book in advance, but it's not really necessary when there is no vehicles involved.
The ferry shuttle l’Épinoche from parc national du Lac-Témiscouata, for pedestrain and cyclists only, runs from the third week of June to first week of September, 5 times a day, or 8 in high season. You can call to 418-855-5508 to secure a spot at next departure when arriving at Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac. Daily Access to the park or Annual Card necessary, as well as the crossing fee (8$ in 2020). Alternatively, the La Corégone ferry (4$ in 2020) runs each hour from June 1st to mid-September and can be found 12 km further along the Petit-Temis trail. Expect one big additional hill to reach the national park on the other side of the lake.
Les parc nationaux du Québec, administrés par la Sépaq, nécessitent le paiement d'un droit d'accès quotidien. La annual card will be advantageous starting at the 10th day in the national parks in a year, moreover than including one night in their campground on week time (not valid for "Bienvenue Cyclistes!" spots) and other discounts.
Plusieurs campings privés ont la certification "Bienvenue Cyclistes!" label on segment VI: the camping Rimouski (km 12), the camping municipale de Saint-Fabien (km 39), the camping municipal de Trois-Pistoles (km 80) and the camping Saint-Modeste (km 153.5).
The Bic national park organized a quiet camping area "Bienvenue Cyclistes!", the camping du Porc-Épic (km 26.7), located by the cycling path. The registration is done at the entrance (or exit) of the park, 1.5 km away. This is where you'll find showers and drinkable water access (there is only a dry toilet and a shelter at the cyclists campground). The camping La Coulée (km 32.6) is also a tranquility haven by the St. Lawrence, rustic, with wooden platform and without drinking water.
The Petit Temis Interprovincial Trail built 3 spots to camp on wooden platform (km 161.5; 180.7 and 202.1 of the QcBT). A 10$ fee per person payable at the perception box at each camp spot is asked for the camps and trail maintenance.
The Lac-Témiscouata national park organized a "Bienvenue Cyclistes!" camping spot isolated from all the other campers by the Témiscouata Lake and with a small beach, 1.5 km away on a bike path from the Anse-à-William service center (registration, showers and drinking water). The area is protected by the trees, there's a fire pit with a grill and a dry toilet. View of the city on the other side of the lake and enjoyable sunset. There is also cell phone service, which will probably be rare during the next camping nights.
It can be harder on this segment compared to others to do wild camping. On the stretch of the segment along the St. Lawrence, some areas away from houses and quite discreet are nonetheless possible to find. Leave no trace. Note that it is technically prohibited to camp along the Petit-Temis excepted on the 3 indicated camp spots.
There won't be any problem to find food on the stretch along the St. Lawrence, between Rimouski and Rivière-du-Loup, neither spots to fill your water bottles.
Rivière-du-Loup will be the last town before Amqui, 300 km away on segment VII, where you'll find a big supermarket. It can be better to buy your snacks or other specialized alimentary products there and get some more basic supplies in the simpler groceries you will find along the route.
We go across a few creeks on the Petit-Temis, and the first 2 camping area are settled beside creeks. It is recommended to treat water. Some road crossings also have opportunities to get a water tap.
On rue Commerciale at Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, just before taking the ferry shuttle for the Lac-Témiscouata national park, you'll find cafés, bakery, some food and casse-croûte.
In the Bic national park, the La Grève biking path, that starts on km 28.9 of the QcBT, sums up 8 km return to get to Baie du Ha! Ha! and l'Anse-à-l'Orignal, all the way to a charming teahouse. Access to many hiking trails and viewpoints.

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