Cycling in Québec City is a great experience thanks to the city’s extensive bike paths and excellent cycling on low traffic roads in the surrounding peaceful, rural landscapes.
Located in Eastern Canada, this historic city is often considered one of the most European cities in North America. Primarily French speaking locals and scenic old streets combine to give Québec City a unique and charming appeal. Just beyond the city lies many scenic river routes, low traffic roads and gorgeous lakes.
Ultra cyclist, Geneviève Healey, was born and raised in Québec City. She loves discovering and sharing the cycling opportunities that await in this corner of Canada.
Read on to discover Geneviève’s favourite Québec cycling routes and tips to help you plan your own visit!
Location of Québec City
Québec City sits in the far south of the province of Québec in Eastern Canada.
Montreal is approximately 250 kilometres southwest of Québec City. A little further, beyond Montreal, in the neighbouring province of Ontario, is the capital of Canada, Ottowa.
The province of Québec borders Maine in the United States of America. From Québec City it’s about a four and a half hour drive to the border with the USA.

Why should cyclists visit Québec City?
Québec City is renowned for its well-balanced offering of old town, large green areas, waterfront roads and cycling paths.
Québec Old Town
Québec City’s historic heart has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985.
The Old Town of Quebec is still surrounded by its fortifications and the cobbled narrow streets from the 17th century have been meticulously restored. Québec City is one of the oldest European settlements in North America and the only walled city north of Mexico whose fortifications still stand!
As of 2017, Quebec city is also renowned among the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), as a city that promotes creativity and cultural industries at the heart of its development plan, both locally and at an international level too.
Well developed cycling culture
Québec City has welcomed major cycling events for several years, including the Grands Prix Cyclistes, a registered event on the UCI WorldTour calendar.
For the last decade, the cycling infrastructures have really improved. There are a lot more bike lanes and facilities to ride in the city, making cycling more accessible. Today, there is a shared-bike system available six months of the year (the rest of the year this is unavailable due to the cold weather and snow).
Rich cultural scene
Whilst cold Québec winters are better for cross-country skiing than cycling, summer is the season for culture (and cycling!) in Québec .
The Festival d’été de Québec is hosted every July and draws in the biggest music stars around the world. It’s an 11-day extravaganza!
There are also several smaller festivals found in the city, such as the Carrefour international de théâtre (May-June) and the Festival de cinéma de la ville de Québec (September).
Proximity to nature
The city of Québec itself runs along the north eastern bank of the St. Lawrence River. This can be enjoyed from the saddle thanks to a fantastic bike path, more on that below.
Although there is a lot of life to enjoy in the Old Town, what’s really great about Québec City is that you’re always less than 30 minutes drive from either a mountain, a cycling or walking path, or a lake.
There are many scenic views to be found here that are perfect for nature lovers! Exploring them by bike is even better…
Overview of Québec City region (from a cyclist’s perspective)
Québec City cycling
One of the best ways to experience biking in Québec City is on the large Champlain cycling path that follows the St. Lawrence River.
This flat route extends east after crossing the Old Town for another 25 kilometres, passing by the very impressive Montmorency Falls.
If you want to climb, you just need to leave the cycle path, where many hills will bring you to the upper town.
For more challenging hills that alternate with rolling terrain, you’ll need to head further north out of the city. This is where you will also find many lakes and beautiful natural landscapes. See my suggested cycling itinerary for more information.
Cycling the surrounding landscapes
The city of Lévis is located on the opposite shore from Québec City. It also offers a wide range of well-maintained bike paths and, as a bonus, boasts stunning views of Québec City!
The best way to reach Lévis is by ferry, which connects Québec ’s and Levi’s cycling paths. You can experience this on this St Lawrence River loop route.
Alternatively, if you are happy to drive a few hours west, there are plenty of great options in the Laurentian Mountains, located one hour drive north from Montreal.
The Eastern Townships are also a paradise for gravel riders.
See below for my pick of the best local cycling routes in and around Québec City.
Road conditions and highway rules
Be aware! Roads in Québec City are mostly very hilly. As most of the long cycling paths in the Quebec area were old railways that have been transformed, sticking to these is generally a good way to avoid hills.
Generally, cyclists are well treated. However, I tend to stick to roads with wide shoulders, to avoid any impatient drivers.
Unlike other areas of Canada, cyclists are forbidden from cycling on highways in Québec City.
In Canada, a “highway” typically refers to a major, high-speed (100 km per hour) route designed for long-distance travel, often connecting cities, regions, or provinces. It’s similar to a motorway in the UK. In Québec City, cycling is absolutely prohibited on highways. For a Brit, the biggest clue would be the speed and accessibility of the road. If it feels like a fast, controlled-access motorway, it’s probably a highway, and cycling is likely not permitted. If it’s a local, two-lane road with regular turn-offs, you’re probably fine to ride.
What kind of cyclist is Québec City for?
Thanks to the cycle path facilities, Québec City is a great option for leisure cyclists.
For road cyclists, the beautiful landscapes surrounding the city are home to plenty of climbing.
There are also a few gravel rides to be found, though these aren’t as extensive as the road cycling opportunities.
The best cycling routes in Québec City (and surrounds)
For years I have cycled the areas surrounding Québec City. As an ultra cyclist, I absolutely love to challenge myself with very long hours in the saddle on my own.
Below are a range of rides to suit a variety of fitness levels and abilities, from gentle Québec cycling routes that are ideal for leisure cyclists, to more challenging, beautiful cycling routes in the landscapes surrounding Québec.
Rides
Cycling events in Québec City (and nearby)
In early September Québec City holds phase one of the Grands Prix Cyclistes, an event registered on the UCI WorldTour calendar. The second phase takes place in Montreal, two days after.
If you’d like to challenge yourself on ultra cycling events, the Race Across Series from Europe now holds Race Across Québec. This includes routes of: 300, 500 or (starting next year) 1000 kilometres. Each route takes in large parts of the areas surrounding Montreal.

Le Château Frontenac (photo credit- Geneviève Healey)
Where to stay in Québec City (for cyclists)
The Bienvenue Cyclistes scheme shares a range of accommodation options suitable for cyclists, including camping, bed and breakfast and hotels.
Some options with this accreditation in and around the city include:
Hotel Chateau Bellevue
Located in the heart of Old Town and overlooking the St Lawrence River.
Hotel Chateau Laurier
Located in Old Québec, just a 15 minutes’ walk from the St Lawrence River.
Le Widor Bed and Breakfast
Located close to the Plain’s of Abraham. Québec Old Town is just 2 kilometres away and within easy walking distance.
N Hôtel Québec
Located on the Boulevard Saint-Anne. A 5 minutes drive to the city centre!
Auberge & Campagne
Located near Cap Tourmente, approximately 48 kilometres from Québec old town.
Top tip! If you are planning to visit during high season and early september, you might want to book hotels in advance. That said, many accredited campsites will usually be able to find you a spot.

The picturesque Dufferin Terrace, near to Frontenac Castle (photo credit: Geneviève Healey)
Bike shops in Québec City
There is a well developed bike-sharing network called àVélo. This uses electric bikes to make hilly areas easier to climb.
For anyone looking to get out into the countryside on a road cycling route, I would say bringing your own bike is probably best!
If you do bring your own, there are several bike shops across the city to pick up any spares or repairs needed whilst you’re here.
Mathieu Performance
496 1re Av., Québec, QC G1L 3J8
Primeau Vélo
6019 Wilfrid-Hamel Blvd #100, L’Ancienne-Lorette, Québec G2E 2H3
Lessard Bicycles
2661 Bd du Versant N, Québec, QC G1V 1A3
Demers bicyclettes et skis de fond
1044 Av. 3e, Québec, QC G1L 2X4
Performance Bégin
3688 Rue de l’Hêtrière, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QC G3A 2L8
Best time of year to visit Québec City
If you’re looking to find the best weather for cycling in Québec City, visit between June and September, as it’s the hottest time of the year. During summer, the temperature varies from 22 to 27 degrees, although it can go up to 35 degrees. The weather is mostly sunny, with fewer days of precipitation than during the other seasons.
May and October are also good options, but the weather might be more challenging. October is particularly lovely with incredible foliage and colours, but you’d need to pack a few extra layers to keep you comfortable.
Be aware! Québec winters can be very hostile for riding. During winter, there are just a few courageous people that still cycle and commute, as most roads are icy and covered in snow. The average temperature in Quebec City in January is around -27 °C (-16.6 °F). On average, there are 171 days with temperatures freezing, or below.
Top tip! Cold temperatures and harsh conditions in winter can sometimes cause road damage, especially in more rural locations. So, if you plan to cycle here in spring it is better to do so with bigger tyres, to reduce any puncture risks.

Autumn is a beautiful time to experience cycling in Quebec City and the surrounding scenery (photo credit: Geneviève Healey)
Tips for riding in Québec City (and surrounds)
- If you want to stay in the city, a car isn’t really needed. But as Québec is a vast territory, you might want to rent a car to visit other regions of the province.
- You should always bring a warm layer and a waterproof/ windproof jacket with you! Québec City is built around a river and is renowned for being windy.
- There are two types of buses in Quebec city’s network: blue and green ones. Look for the green ones, Métrobus, who cover principal routes with more frequent service. They have two space bike racks on them. Bike racks are normally available from May 1st to October 31st on Métrobus 800, 801, 802, 804, 807 lanes.
- Québec ’s famous meal is the poutine: French fries and cheese curds topped with gravy. It goes really well with a local microbrewery beer too! A few microbreweries I particularly love are: La Barberie, La Souche, Noctem and Griendel.
- It’s really easy to have a good meal during a ride, whether it’s in a small casse-croûte (French style bistro) or in a gas station, where sandwiches, sugary treats and ice cream are easy to find.
- On cycling paths, it’s easy to find toilet facilities and places to refill your water bottles. But be aware! Away from bike paths it can sometimes can become tricky, especially in the historic district of Québec City. Make sure you are well stocked with water if looking to take on a longer ride.
- French is widely spoken in Québec City and the better way to be understood here, so it is worth familiarising yourself with some basics. However, most people speak English in the city.
- Pédaler, is a great source of information about cycling generally, particularly cycling in Québec .

Quebec’s famous Poutine dish! (photo credit: Geneviève Healey)
Highway Code and travel information
As ever, it’s a good idea to check current travel information before you book and travel. For UK visitors, the UK government travel information pages for Canada are here.
You should also read and follow the Québec highway code, see here.

Quebec city lit up at night (photo credit: Geneviève Healey)
Getting to Québec City
Planes and buses are the best options for accessing the city.
The nearest airports are:
- Jean-Lesage Airport (Québec City)
- Pierre-Elliot Trudeau Airport (Montreal)
By bus:
Take a look at the Orléans Express which is designed for long-distance travel between cities, such as between Quebec City and Montreal. You can travel with your bike ($30 plus taxes fee). It’s better to pre-book and your bike must be partly disassembled or already boxed in a designed travel case.
In Quebec City itself the regular buses are operated by the Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) and cover short-distance urban transportation (local routes within the city, connecting neighbourhoods, shopping areas, schools etc…).

Exploring the lakes near Quebec City (photo credit: Geneviève Healey)
A massive thank you to Genevieve Healey for sharing these fantastic insights into cycling in Québec City and surrounding landscapes. We hope it has provided some useful information to help you plan a cycling trip in Canada.
As usual, if you have found this guide useful, do drop us a comment and let us know! Your feedback is always invaluable!
Would you like more Canada cycling inspiration? Don’t miss these…
- Guide to Calgary to Vancouver and Vancouver to Prince Rupert.
- This guide to biking across America may also be of interest.
- For more far flung destinations, don’t miss cycling in Uruguay, cycling in Mexico and cycling in Chile.
- Looking for more bike friendly cities? Check this article out.
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