Winter in La Petite-Nation, from cross-country skis to snowmobiles
Free ski trails behind the high school, 40 km groomed by volunteers for $15, hundreds of kilometres of snowmobile and ATV trail. Your winter guide, club by club.
Guide
Cycling & ATV
Country roads, ATV trails and bike paths between villages.
Our road-bike day in La Petite-Nation, 82 km from Thurso to Saint-André-Avellin
Route 148 along the Ottawa River to Montebello, a detour up Route 321 for lunch in Saint-André-Avellin, and ice cream back in Thurso. 82 km, or 52 if your legs say no.
What to do in Montebello in a day
Papineau's four-towered manor, the log Château, 25 heritage markers around the village and artists' studios on rue Notre-Dame. How to spend a really good day in Montebello.
Where to see fall colours in La Petite-Nation
A lookout tower above the maples, a free viewpoint over Lac Simon, Route 321 heading north in red and gold. Our favourite lookouts, drives and trails for fall.
Plaisance National Park, the complete guide
Flat bike paths, canoeing through tall grass, turtles sunning on the bank and a waterfall over 35 metres high. Everything to know before you go to Parc national de Plaisance.
IllustrationService
Biffrentals Aventure
DuhamelSea-Doo rentals on Lac Simon from mid-June to September, and guided side-by-side tours year-round.
IllustrationCampground
Camping Haut-des-Côtes
Chénéville127 sites on 98 acres with its own lake, and the ATV trails start right from the campground.
IllustrationCampground
Camping Montagnard
Val-des-BoisFull-hookup sites, trailer rentals and a heated pool, up in the hills.
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Camping Montpellier
Montpellier107 acres with a river, waterfall and beaches, 11 km of bike trails and 5 km of hiking. Two cabins, Le Rustique and Le Zen, rent year-round.
IllustrationATV club
Club Quad de l'Outaouais
Hors MRCThe ATV club for the west side of the MRC, La Salette to Bowman: 90 km and two heated shelters. Check their site for trail conditions.
IllustrationATV club
Club Quad Petite-Nation
PlaisanceThe club behind most of the ATV network in Petite-Nation, more than 315 km of trails. You can start near the Ottawa River and ride all the way up to…
IllustrationTrail
Cycl-O-Route de la rivière Outaouais, boucle ouest
ThursoAn 87 km road-cycling loop: take the Thurso ferry across to Ontario, come back on the Québec side through the national park, then Papineauville and…
IllustrationAttraction
De bois, de fer et d’eau (art public)
ThursoEight works from 2021 along the bike path on the old rail bed, by Mustapha Chadid, Élisabeth Picard, Mélodie Coutou and others.
IllustrationCampground
Duhamel Camping & Chalets
DuhamelCampsites and cottages for rent near Lac Gagnon, with a beach and pétanque.
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Halte routière du Canton de Lochaber (Route verte)
LochaberA rest stop on the 148 built with Route verte riders in mind: bike racks, a platform to pitch a tent, and a dry toilet made by a local artist.
IllustrationTrail
Montebello Vélo de Montagne
Montebello30 km of trail on Papineau's old seigneury land, with Ottawa River views, a cave to ride through and century-old pines. You start at the Château…
IllustrationGarage
Motosport Petite Nation
ThursoPowersports dealer in Thurso for ATVs, snowmobiles and bikes, with service and parts.
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Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon
Ripon800 acres of hills above Ripon. Hike up Mont Grand-Pic, 426 metres, climb the tower, and you get a full 360. On a clear day you can see Tremblant.
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Parc national de Plaisance
PlaisanceBays, marshes and little peninsulas along the Ottawa River. Thousands of Canada geese stop here in spring, and in summer it's flat, easy cycling and…
IllustrationTrail
Parc récréatif de la Maskinongé
Lac-des-PlagesClose to 20 km of trails starting next to the cemetery, for walking or riding in summer and skiing in winter. Free, dogs welcome.
IllustrationTrail
Parcours Louis-Joseph-Papineau
Saint-André-AvellinAbout ten kilometres of stone-dust trail out to Saint-Sixte, through woods and open fields, with two lookouts. In winter, extra loops bring it to 25…
IllustrationTrail
Piste cyclable familiale de Duhamel
DuhamelAn easy 10 km on the old Singer railway bed between Lac Simon and Lac Gagnon. The town even lends out bikes.
IllustrationTrail
Piste du parc national, secteur Thurso
ThursoOne of the national park's entrances is in Thurso. From there it's 21 km of riding along the Ottawa River, with turtles, groundhogs and a lot of…
IllustrationOutfitter
Pourvoirie Légendes des Bois
DuhamelAn exclusive-rights outfitter north of Duhamel, open all year. Trout in summer, ice fishing in winter, and deer, moose and bear come fall.
IllustrationLodging
Refuge Boréal
MontpellierRenovated motel in the village with a big lot for trailers and direct access to snowmobile and ATV trails.
IllustrationLake
Site récréotouristique du lac Croche
MontpellierA stocked lake 14 km from Montpellier with a wood-heated shelter. Better yet, trout fishing stays open in winter here, December 20 to March 31.
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Traction-Nation
Saint-André-AvellinBike shop in the village for sales, tune-ups and repairs, fat bikes included. Run by people who ride.
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Parc municipal de Lac-des-Plages (bateau de pirate et pump track)
Lac-des-PlagesKids head straight for the pirate ship. The bigger ones go lap the pump track behind town hall.
Events
Sports
Montebello Fatbike Festival
MontebelloFebruary 26–28, 2027Three days of fat biking on the Montebello Vélo de Montagne trails, starting from the Château. The big one is the Fat Papineau challenge…
Sports
Petite-monnaie Triathlon
RiponLate August, a Sunday · 2027 dates to be announcedA sprint triathlon: 800 m swim in Lac Viceroy, 20 km bike through Ripon's back roads, 5 km run. Solo or as a team. Proceeds go to the…
Sports
Montebello Mountain Bike Festival
MontebelloLast weekend of September · 2027 dates to be announcedRides for every level on Montebello Vélo de Montagne's 30 km of trails across the old seigneury lands, with a cultural side to the weekend.