Gravel classes along the route: Classes 2 and 3 (What do gravel classes mean?)
Recommended tires: 42+ mm
Types of roadways: segments on paved roads with shoulders of varying widths, forest roads with sections that may include rocks, sand, and mud depending on the amount of precipitation received—or lack thereof—and steep, rocky double-track trails, where you may need to push your bike in some places. Consult the map below and pay particular attention to the information bubbles (POIs) it contains. It is your responsibility to be well prepared!
IMPORTANT NOTICE—HUNTING: during moose hunting season, which this year runs from September 19 to October 25, for the safety of users, we recommend wearing an orange vest, staying on the course, and riding between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
A condensed version of “Les Belles Récoltes” course that amazes and swings cheerfully!
Already in the heart of the forest on the plateau that is home to the Mont Grand-Fonds ski resort, we slowly climb among the lakes of the Domaine de Comporté fishing & hunting lodge towards the Rivière Noire Sud-Ouest, which we cross to reach the Les Belles Récoltes course near Lac au Plongeon. We then enter the Lac-au-Sable ZEC in the Les Jardins sector, a lofty, green terrace, then cross a small pass that takes us to the Lac Jacob side. 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 St. Lawrence… until we reach Chemin des Loisirs, which we must climb in its entirety to “close the loop”!
*It is not necessary to register at the Lac-au-Sable ZEC reception desk to cycle on its territory.
