GATINEAU 400
A 400 km bikepacking route exploring the trails of Gatineau National Park and the quiet countryside north of Ottawa. Submitted by Michael Nyby.
ROUTE OVERVIEW
Distance: 404 km | Ascent: 4,715 m | Unpaved: 63% | Recommended days: 4
This route covers some of the same terrain as the Loop-des-Loups route, but is designed as a more technical option for riders who enjoy a wider variety of terrain on their routes. Best experienced as a four-day outing, riders start in the west end of the city of Ottawa with a leisurely cruise along the river before crossing into Québec for a challenging day of trails in Gatineau Park. On day two, the route heads north towards the village of Gracefield, traversing scenic dirt and white-gravel roads through endless forests. The third day begins with a leisurely roll along the east bank of the Gatineau River before turning towards some challenging climbs and excellent trail options around Mont Ste. Marie. After a couple of tough climbs at the beginning of the final day, riders are rewarded with a scenic ride along the Gatineau, a visit to the resort town of Wakefield, and another traipse through Gatineau Park before returning to Ottawa. Though much of the route is on road, coarse gravel, loose terrain, and sandy conditions can be found throughout. Tires between 48mm and 2.25” perform best. The trails through Gatineau Park are not well suited to skinny tires!
HIGHLIGHTS
Trail 66: One of the first long sections of singletrack you’ll encounter in Gatineau Park is also one of the best. Fast, flowy, and peppered with multiple line options for all kinds of bikes and riders.
Descent to Meech Lake: Trail 2 in Gatineau Park includes a precipitous descent that will cook your brakes if you’re not careful! Very steep, windy, and choppy, it’s an absolute blast for the confident rider. At the bottom, take a dip in the crystal clear waters of Meech Lake. You’ve earned it!
Chemin du Lac-la-Pêche: A picturesque, leisurely rolling dirt road through the woods provides a breath of fresh air after the strenuous trail riding through Gatineau Park. If ridden at the beginning of Day 2, the road can potentially lead directly to an excellent breakfast stop at Chez Malyvia in Lac-des-Loups.
Chemin Fierobin/Chemin Cawood: It is possible that you will not see a single automobile on the 35 kilometre stretch between the villages of Ladysmith and Danford Lake. This rolling, heavily wooded section will easily make you forget that you’re only a stone’s throw from our nation’s capital.
CarpeDiem Aventures: A fascinatingly designed campground with excellent amenities and very private sites provides the perfect end point for day 2. The proprietors go well out of their way to make their guests’ stay as comfortable as possible, and the scenery is unbeatable. A swim in the cool, deep blue waters of the superlatively beautiful Lac Edja is a must!
Mont Ste. Marie: Day 3 is designed to be purposefully short in order to give riders the opportunity to explore the trails of Mont Ste. Marie. While some of the trails are best ridden on unloaded full-suspension mountain bikes, a great many can be ridden on capable enough gravel or bikepacking rigs. A suggested short jaunt around the periphery of the mountain is included in the route, but if you’ve got the legs for it, it’s worth venturing further up the hill to scope out some of the best mountain bike trails in the area. The trails are privately maintained and operated. Please fill out the waiver if you plan on visiting the trails.
The climb up (and descent down) Chemin Trans-Outaouaise: Riders finish out day 3 with what is easily the most difficult climb of the route. This steep, sandy wall can best even the most robust among us. But as long as the climb feels, the descent down the other side somehow manages to feel even longer!
The Wakefield Covered Bridge: You’ll know you’ve almost made it home when you come across this century-old bridge. One of the first bridges to span the Gatineau River, and a sign that you’ve returned to civilization. Wakefield sports the most diverse selection of lunch options anywhere on the route!