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Circuit cyclable de 50 km près de Montréal : nature, lacs et sentiers en bord de rivière (guide 2026)

Lecture de 2 min Mis à jour 17 mai 2026

Cette page n’est pas encore entièrement traduite, alors certaines parties sont affichées en anglais.

One of the best one-day cycling adventures near Montreal is the ~50 km circuit through nature, lakes, and rivers on the Île-des-Sœurs / Brossard / Longueuil side of the Saint Lawrence. The route mixes dedicated bike paths along waterways, quiet residential streets, and panoramic skyline views — all on flat, paved terrain that works for intermediate cyclists and confident beginners. Here’s the complete 2026 route guide.

The Route Overview

  • Total distance: ~50 km
  • Estimated time: 3.5–4.5 hours at relaxed pace with stops
  • Difficulty: Intermediate (flat, but the distance adds up)
  • Surface: 95% paved bike paths, 5% shared road
  • Starting point: Old Port of Montreal

The Route Step-by-Step

  1. Old Port → Pont de la Concorde → Île Sainte-Hélène / Parc Jean-Drapeau (5 km): Pass the Biosphere, the F1 circuit, and lookouts back at the downtown skyline.
  2. Île Sainte-Hélène → Île Notre-Dame loop (8 km): Circle the casino, the rowing basin, and the Olympic park grounds.
  3. South via Pont de la Concorde / connecting path to Île-des-Sœurs (5 km): Cross to Nuns’ Island with skyline views.
  4. Around Île-des-Sœurs perimeter (10 km): Quiet, scenic loop with Saint Lawrence views the entire way.
  5. Champlain Bridge bike path to Brossard (5 km): The new dedicated path is wide and well-marked.
  6. Brossard waterfront to Longueuil (10 km): Saint Lawrence Seaway bike path with skyline views back at Montreal.
  7. Longueuil via Jacques-Cartier Bridge bike path back to Old Port (7 km): The dramatic crossing finale.

What You’ll See Along the Way

  • Downtown Montreal skyline from multiple angles (downtown, river, South Shore)
  • Habitat 67 brutalist housing complex
  • The Biosphere geodesic dome on Île Sainte-Hélène
  • Lac des Cygnes on Île Notre-Dame
  • The Saint Lawrence Seaway with cargo ships passing
  • The Samuel-De Champlain Bridge dramatic cable design
  • Old Port activity at start and finish

Best Time of Year & Day

  • May–October: Bike paths fully open and maintained
  • Best months: Late May, June, September — clean air, fewer mosquitoes
  • Sunrise start: Coolest, quietest, best lighting for photos
  • Sunset end: Time the final stretch over Jacques-Cartier Bridge for golden hour
  • Weekday over weekend: Less crowded on the paths

What to Bring

  • Helmet, lock, mini-pump and patch kit
  • 3+ L of water (or plan refill stops at Parc Jean-Drapeau and Longueuil marina)
  • Snacks and a real lunch (sandwich, banana, energy bars)
  • Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
  • Light layers — wind off the river is significant
  • Phone with offline map (Google Maps or Komoot)
  • BIXI app if not bringing your own bike

Food & Rest Stops Along the Route

  • Parc Jean-Drapeau visitor centre — washrooms, water, small snack bar
  • Île-des-Sœurs commercial centre — cafés and restaurants near the bike path
  • Longueuil marina — washrooms, picnic tables, sometimes food trucks
  • Old Port return — countless restaurants and cafés to celebrate finishing

Shorter Alternatives

  • 25 km: Old Port → Parc Jean-Drapeau loop → return (skip South Shore)
  • 15 km: Old Port → Île-des-Sœurs loop → return
  • 10 km: Old Port → Parc Jean-Drapeau → return

More Montreal Cycling Guides

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