The Trans Terrebonne: North of the Island
Montreal, Quebec · Nov 17, 2023
A circuit that heads just off the island of Montreal and Laval and crosses the Terrebonne biodiversity corridor to find genuinely fun gravel double and singletrack. Close to half of it is unpaved, and the heavily wooded sections make it easy to forget the city is only a short train ride away. The well-maintained trails and frequent picnic and cycling stops make it a relaxed but rewarding half day or more.
This circuit is the easiest way to swap the city for the woods without a car. It runs just north of the island of Montreal and Laval and crosses the Terrebonne biodiversity corridor, linking together a mix of gravel doubletrack and singletrack that is roughly half unpaved. It is a genuine gravel ride rather than a bike-path cruise, which is part of the appeal, and the wooded stretches are dense enough that you quickly forget how close you still are to the city.
Getting to the start is simple. Ride the EXO train from downtown to Gare Rosemere on weekdays, or take the STM metro to De la Concorde station and pick up the train from there. From the trailhead the riding pays off immediately as you drop into well-maintained trails that wind through heavily wooded terrain, and you can string the loop together at whatever pace the day calls for.
It looks like an easy outing on paper, but the trails are fun enough that you will want to linger, and the network connects to other routes if you feel like extending the day. This route is one of Trevor Browne's picks from his Montreal gravel guide.
There are plenty of picnic areas and dedicated cycling stops scattered along the way, so plan for at least a good half day to get all the riding in rather than rushing it. The corridor is protected green space, so expect a quiet, nature-first ride with little in the way of services once you are in the woods. Carry the food and water you will need and top up before you leave Rosemere, and remember the EXO train runs on weekdays, so check the schedule if you are heading out on a weekend.
This is a route best ridden once the trails have dried out, from late spring through the fall, when the corridor is at its best and the singletrack rides fast. Tires with a bit of tread and volume, around 40mm or wider, suit the doubletrack and singletrack far better than slicks. With easy train access at both ends it makes a perfect car-free escape, and the riding is good enough that it is worth turning into a short bikepacking overnighter.
