Le segment VI du Québec Bikepacking Traverse

Le segment VI du Québec Bikepacking Traverse diffère beaucoup des autres par sa proximité à la colonne vertébrale du Québec, le catalyseur du développement économique, culturel et social de cette nation : le fleuve Saint-Laurent. Ce fleuve, c’est le personnage principale de l’histoire du Québec. Ce fût l’immense voie de communication des Amérindiens, ce fût la porte d’entrée des explorateurs européens, et c’est maintenant la voie de sortie sur le monde, essentiel à notre commerce.

Sur ce segment, on perd l’orientation vers l’est du QcBT, remontant ici le fleuve vers le sud-ouest. Ce détour en vaut la peine, pour apprécier le décor marin enchanteur du fleuve. Quelques kilomètres après être sorti de la ville de Rimouski, le parcours entre dans le populaire Bic national park, où l’on trouve un concentré de cabourons, ces petites collines typiques de la région. La route le long du fleuve n’est pas plate, car de nombreuses échines doivent être surmontés, tels des plissements des Appalaches avant de toucher le fleuve. À Rivière-du-Loup, l’itinéraire quitte le fleuve et s’élance sur le Petit-Temis, une piste cyclable en poussière de pierre qui emprunte le lit d’une ancienne voie ferrée traversant les Appalaches. Celle-ci nous amènera jusqu’au lac Témiscouata, où il faudra emprunter une navette maritime du Lac-Témiscouata national park pour traverser le plan d’eau dominant le centre d’une longue vallée d’origine glaciaire.

This segment borrow part of Route Verte. Bien qu’au relief ondulé le long du fleuve, le segment VI est l’un des plus facile à parcourir, entre autre car il s’agit du segment qui a la plus forte proportion de routes et pistes cyclables pavées. On ne circule tout de même que très peu sur la 132, la route principale. La piste du Littoral Basque, longeant le fleuve, parfois en forêt et en hauteur, saura impressionner. Le dernier tiers du segment sur l’ancienne voie ferrée garantit également une pente ne dépassant jamais 4%. Il est possible de sauter ce segment au complet ou en partie en empruntant soit le 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

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Parc national du Bic

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Seg.VI.MPSavard-02

⇒ 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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Segment VI

Québec Bikepacking Traverse

56% non-pavé

215 kilometers

2 002 mètres de dénivelé positif

9,3 m / km

Parc national du Bic

Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata

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BAS-SAINT-LAURENT

Rimouski – Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata

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