The Appalachian Route

Explore the different segments that make up the Appalachian Route...

This route winds among the verdant hills and valleys of the Estrie, or the Eastern Townships, and the fertile lowlands of the Montérégie region. On the horizon lie the rounded peaks of the Appalachians. The Townships have many remarkable natural sites, including the Gorge de Coaticook (50 m/164 ft deep), which you can admire from above as you navigate the world's longest suspended footbridge.

Atop Mont Mégantic, overlooking Notre-Dame-des-Bois, soak up the view from the observatory, at 1100 m (3609 ft) the highest point accessible by road in Québec. Down the road, Parc du Mont-Orford is a true outdoor paradise, with water sports, golf, cycling, camping, and skiing. The Centre d'arts Orford, right in the park, offers a series of concerts in the summer.

[Picture of North-Hatley] The Eastern Townships are United Empire Loyalist country. They are also known for their charming New England-style villages, such as Knowlton (Lac-Brome) and North Hatley. Near Sherbrooke, the village of Compton takes pride in one of its native sons, Louis S. St. Laurent, Prime Minister of Canada from 1948 to 1957. Visitors can tour his birthplace.

While you are in Thetford Mines, in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, you can visit a mineralogical and mining museum and watch operations at an open-pit asbestos mine. You'll find many reasons to stop as you make your way along the peaceful Chaudière valley in the Beauce region, including Québec's longest wooden covered bridge (155 m/509 ft), at Notre-Dame-des-Pins.

A Garden of Earthly Delights

Along the Rivière Saint-François, in the Coeur-du-Québec region, you'll find many pleasant surprises, including a fascinating museum illustrating the Abenaki culture, at Odanak, and the Village Québécois d'Antan, in Drummondville, which recreates local rural life in the 19th century.

[Picture of Fort Chambly] The Montérégie region is proud of its military heritage. Fort Chambly, whose 17th-century walls still echo to the sounds of the colonial wars, and Fort Lennox (Saint-Paul-de-l'Île-aux-Noix), both on the Richelieu, are among the most remarkable national historic sites in the region. The Maison nationale des Patriotes, at Saint-Denis, marks another memorable episode in the history of Québec.

The best way to discover the Richelieu valley is on board one of the boats that cruise the river, leaving from Beloeil, Chambly or Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Boat trips also run from Sorel and Berthierville to explore the flora and fauna of the Lac Saint-Pierre islands.

The whole family will delight in the animals from all over the world at the Granby zoo and Hemmingford Parc Safari. Catch your breath and soak up some sun afterwards as you sample the wares at one of the vineyards in Dunham, the birthplace of wine-making in Québec, or sip some cider-Montérégie is Québec's apple capital, after all! The whole family will delight in the animals from all over the world at the Granby zoo and Hemmingford Parc Safari. Catch your breath and soak up some sun afterwards as you sample the wares at one of the vineyards in Dunham, the birthplace of wine-making in Québec, or sip some cider - Montérégie is Québec's apple capital, after all!

Interesting addresses