Aerial views of the St. Lawrence and immersive pedal strokes through the hills and valleys of Menaud's fabled country!
A challenging route that offers its share of rewards and cycling pleasures: wild topography, breathtaking scenery, short “technical” segments, and sustained forays into forests and isolated areas!
Starting from Les Belles Récoltes de Charlevoix organic grain farm in La Malbaie, the circuit first climbs Rang Sainte-Mathilde Ouest, one of the most picturesque and scenic rural roads in the region with its views of the St. Lawrence seaway, Pointe-au-Pic, and Mont des Éboulements. At the point where Rang Sainte-Mathilde Ouest and Rang Sainte-Mathilde Est meet, the highest point of the course, the path narrows and rocky outcrops form slabs that can be slippery with runoff from surrounding springs…a first technical section that requires vigilance and caution!
We then descend Rang Sainte-Mathilde East, which offers other breathtaking views of the Charlevoix coastline, and continue on the roller coaster ride of Rang Sainte-Anne to Chemin Breton and Chemin Lac Port-au-Saumon towards the Les Jardins sector of the Lac-au-Sable ZEC, delving deeper and deeper into the lush, game-filled wilderness of the Menaud region. Beyond these wild flower beds, the old Auteuil road crosses a small pass that takes us down to Lake Jacob. This is followed by a long descent along its outlet towards the Malbaie River on ZEC* territory via the Marais and Auteuil roads again. After a second area of turbulence and a landing on the pavement of Chemin de la Vallée, a peaceful rural road, we head for the seaway…
The loop is completed with the ascent of the first 2 kilometers of Chemin des Loisirs, which leads to the Mont Grand-Fonds ski resort, about ten kilometers higher up, the start and finish line of a shorter variant of this circuit.
*It is not necessary to register at the Lac-au-Sable ZEC reception desk to cycle on its territory.
