The hilly Charlevoix region will be the next to benefit from an official section on the Route verte, the largest cycling route in North America. The project is on track, even if several steps remain to be taken before welcoming the first cyclists.
Inaugurated 25 years ago, the Route verte allows cyclists to travel on two wheels across a vast part of Quebec, from Estrie to Gaspésie and from Outaouais to the North Shore. However, with its steep climbs and long road segments where heavy goods vehicles and bicycles must coexist, Charlevoix is still not part of the official Route verte route. Of course, daring cyclists with well-trained legs venture there, but they have to deal with a route that was not designed for them.
The situation will change, explains Nicolas Audet, development coordinator for the Route verte.
“For more than a year, we have been working together with the municipalities concerned to identify the best route. This route is not 100% complete, but it is largely defined. The objective is to progress to obtain approval of the routes in 2024.”
The Route verte Charlevoisienne route will extend over 165 km and will allow cyclists to connect the Beaupré region and the municipality of Saint-Siméon. When possible, the official route will deviate from the very busy – and not very interesting, let’s say it – Route 138.
“Between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, several routes were considered. After analysis, the chosen route will pass through the Route des Montagnes, namely the municipalities of Saint-Urbain, Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs and Notre-Dame-des-Monts. The route will offer beautiful panoramas of the mountains in addition to offering less steep slopes than elsewhere. This is the safest and most interesting route. »
Once the chosen routes have been approved, development work will still need to be done to ensure the safety of cyclists. “In some cases, cycling facilities exist, but not always. The adjustments will have to be made, and this work can take from a few months to a few years. For example, we will have to find safe solutions to cross Route 138. We are already in discussions on this subject. »
Other regions of Quebec are also waiting for an approved route on the Route verte. This is the case of the North Shore, which would like to see the small municipality of Kegaska (east of Natashquan) be connected to Baie-Comeau. The north of the Gaspé Peninsula, between Sainte-Madeleine-de-la-Rivière-Madeleine and Rivière-au-Renard, is also among them.
“These sectors are also developing, but the great regional mobilization we are witnessing in Charlevoix has created real momentum. We sense enthusiasm for the project. It must be said that the development of the Route verte should help attract more cyclists and excursionists to the region. »
In short, the project is exciting, but Nicolas Audet repeats it: we will have to wait a few more years before we see the famous Route verte signage signs appear in Charlevoix.
Learn more
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- 5300
- Number of kilometers currently covered by the Route verte