The Estacade: Along the St. Lawrence
Montreal, Quebec · Nov 17, 2023
A waterside loop that hugs the St. Lawrence River and crosses its expanse several times on dedicated bike path, threading parks, old bridges, islands, and a Formula 1 circuit along the way. It is mostly smooth riding with only a small share unpaved, which makes it an easy day out that still delivers big skyline and river views. The path stays open from spring through early winter, so there is a long window to ride it.
This is the route to ride if you want the St. Lawrence River as your companion for the day. It follows the Estacade and a web of dedicated bike paths that carry you out over the water and back several times, crossing the river's watery expanse with the city skyline never far from view. Only a small fraction is unpaved, so it rides fast and friendly while still feeling like a proper adventure through Montreal's waterways.
The loop is a tour through layers of the city's history. You roll past massive riverside parks, old bridges, a string of islands, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Formula 1 track, bird sanctuaries, relics of Expo '67, an old shipping seaway, a farmer's market, a pump track, a man-made canal, and finally the historic Old Port. It is the kind of route you can knock out in a couple of hours or stretch into a full day of stops, markets, and gourmet food along the way.
Because the riding is flat and almost entirely on path, it suits newer riders, family outings, and anyone who wants distance without the climbing. The endless skyline and river views make it a favourite for a first long day spinning along the water, and it was mapped with exactly that kind of accessible riding in mind. This route is one of Trevor Browne's picks from his Montreal gravel guide.
Pack a lunch and snacks or travel light and graze at the cafes, depanneurs, and food stands you pass, and there is even a campground near the end of the waterway path if you want to turn it into a relaxed sub-24-hour overnighter. A gravel or hybrid bike is plenty for the smooth surface, and even narrower tires cope, though a little volume makes the short mixed-surface sections more comfortable.
The Estacade section is open from April to December, which leaves a generous window to ride it. The best light comes early in the morning or in the evening, ideally with a fresh coffee and a stop at one of the pebbled beaches to take in the river before the path loops you back through the Old Port where the day began. If you head out late, the bridges light up after dark and make for a memorable spin back into the city.
