Cycling routes of the Acadian Peninsula
The Friends of the Véloroute de la Péninsule acadienne (Acadian Peninsula cycle route) offer 14 cycling routes
Route 1 – 31 km: The road to the gulf
From the start of the eco-park, you walk along Lamèque bay. Visit the port of Lamèque from Ste-Marie-St-Raphael to Pigeon Hill: you will be charmed by the sea and its discovery beaches. Walk along the beach of Ste-Marie-St-Raphael or the beach street at Cap-bateau. Observe peatlands in operation or in virgin state. Experience a capstan near Pigeon Hill Church. Return to the Eco-Park by Route 310 and from Du Pêcheur Street North on a safe shoulder.
Route 2 – 31 Km: Shippagan-on-Sea
The route follows the Shore Path, a wooden walkway along the coastline and conducive to duck and bird watching. At the exit, join boulevard J.-D-Gauthier, then the cycle path to Route 113.You then head towards the bay of Petit Pokemouche and the coastal village of Le Goulet where you will have access to the sea and to beautiful beaches. The hike continues to Shippagan before heading to Lamèque Island using the lift bridge. The cycle path then crosses virgin or exploited peat bogs to get to the intersection of Routes 113 and 305 or you will return to the starting point of the route. On your return to Shippagan, Fisherman’s Street will take you to the important commercial seaport, before returning to your starting point. Why not visit the Aquarium and Marine Center when you arrive or savor delicious seafood at the restaurant located there?
Route 3 – 24 Km: Lamèque rocked by the Baie-des-Chaleurs
This route invites you to visit seaports, inviting discovery beaches. A real holiday stroll! From the start of the Eco-Park, you go along Lamèque Bay. Along the Gulf of St. Lawrence from Ste-Marie-St Raphaël to Pigeon Hill you will be charmed by the sea and its beaches. Experience a capstan near Pigeon Hill Church. Stop at the Nicholas-Denys historic site at Petit Shippagan. Take a break at the Ste-Cécile church in Petite-Rivière-de-L’Île which will charm you with its youthful masterpiece of art. It is also the privileged place of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival. Your return to the eco-park via Route 313 passes through countryside villages. Note: obtain the interpretation guide for the Lamèque and Miscou islands.
Route 4 – 40 Km: Charmante Miscou
Miscou Island is bathed in both Baie-des-Chaleurs and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The round trip goes through a peaceful and welcoming community. Visit the bog interpretation trail. Admire the landscape from the top of the Miscou lighthouse. On your return, your passage on the bridge will allow you to see a beautiful overview of the Lamèque wind farm. Optionally, go to the end of Wilson Road (16 km round trip). A splendid view of the Gulf of St. Lawrence awaits you. You will be near the place where the story of Miscou, which dates back to the beginning of the 17th century, including the passage of Samuel de Champlain, began. Miscou is a privileged place for observing avian fauna. Different interpretive panels tell you about Miscou. Note: obtain the interpretation guide for the Lamèque and Miscou islands.
Route 5 – 43 Km: Caraquet and Caraquet South Bay
This route, which can be round trip, is largely on the bike path from Route 11 to Bertrand to head to Caraquet, where history and culture have defined Acadia. The route continues to the Chalets de la Plage in Bas-Caraquet on the shoulders of the streets. Breathtaking view of Caraquet Bay, museums, ports, outdoor cultural activities, all kinds of attractions, souvenirs, and services; you will find all this on this route. Ask and you receive. As an option, from Bas-Caraquet you can continue on Route 145 to go to Pokesudie Island (15 km round trip). The distance of 43 km calculated includes the round trip of the route (21.5 km one way).
Route 6 – 61 Km: History, Sea and Land
This route starting north on Route 11 in Bertrand crosses two rivers and the entrance to the Village historique acadien, before joining Route 303 in the direction of Maisonnette beach. This region is known for the culture of oysters in Caraquet Bay. Then Routes 320 and 11 take you to the Baie-des-Chaleurs coast with beautiful little docks and incredibly beautiful beaches. Now inland, successive Routes 320, 330, 135 and 325 take us to rural areas that were once agricultural. The picturesque villages of St-Léolin and Bertrand will charm you. Two shorter alternative routes are available to you: 6B to Maisonnette-Anse-Bleue and return: 39 km 6C to Grande-Anse, St-Léolin and Bertrand: 41 km.
Route 7 – 18 Km: Paquetville and the Maple Groves
This short route can be done in both directions from route 6, Trudel or Bertrand East evening. You will see on the side of the road, in several places, beautiful maple forests, many of which are exploited and offer a stunning spectacle in the fall. Who says Paquetville, says Edith Butler. This Acadian singer-songwriter was born and lived her youth here. Most services are available in Paquetville.
Route 8 – 44 Km: The Pokemouche River
This long route is one-way, you must take it to Paquetville from route 7, taking Route 135 South, then the 350 east; you will travel along the Pokemouche River. This magnificent river is a delight for fishermen and hunters and a magical landscape all year round. After crossing the river, you will circulate in small, typically Acadian localities. Successively on Routes 113, 345, 335, see Pokemouche, Inkeman, Évangéline and Saint-Simon before arriving at Caraquet.
Route 9 – 41 km: Tracadie – Between Bay, Bog and Forest
This route runs along the old railway line through peat bogs and wetlands with a splendid view of Tracadie Bay. You can see the oyster farmers’ facilities in the distance and maybe have the chance to see ducks and shorebirds. Then head inland to the beautiful community of Pont-Landry where you notice the general store and its dam, then the community of Sainte-Rose. Cyclists can choose to admire the operating bogs of Four Roads and return to Route 150.
Route 10 – 33 Km: Little Tracadie River Watershed
This route takes us inland and beautiful country roads and pass in front of the Losier farm where asparagus and strawberries are available in season. Cyclists will be able to admire the Petite Rivière Tracadie at Alderwood, then exercise their calves in the rare mountains of the peninsula towards the picturesque village of St-Isidore, and continue their journey through a forest of maple trees towards St-Rose. Option 10B (20 km total) will allow you to make a shorter route by returning to your starting point from Alderwood Road by driving on Route 365 towards Tracadie.
Route 11 – 38 km: La Pokemouche
From Sainte-Rose or Four Road, cyclists can go along the Pokemouche River, famous for trout, Gaspareau and eel fishing, decide to branch off to the golf course or make a stopover and admire the river. They can choose to make a detour to the country of Edith Butler and admire its majestic church in Paquetville.
Route 12 – 38 km: La grande Rivière Tracadie
From Neguac, cyclists can opt for Haché Road and follow the Portage river or take Route 370 spanning this river towards Pont-Lafrance, named in honor of the first parish priest of Tracadie. By crossing the bridge, cyclists can admire the Grande Rivière Tracadie which drains through the former military camp and which abounds in trout, salmon, sea bass, Gaspareau, and smelt. The road continues towards Rivière-à-la-Truite to the blueberry field and downtown Tracadie, home of Jean-François Breau, Wilfred LeBoutillier and many other artists. The 12B option (+ 9 km) allows you to slightly extend your route in the Rivière-du-Portage region.
Route 13 – 36 km: Neguac and the beautiful Tabusintac River
This route offers cyclists the option of including or not the round trip of some 10 km to Île-aux-Foins, an enchanting site particularly recognized for the observation of birds and aquatic animals along footbridges. Swampy land near Neguac Bay. The Neguac-Tabusintac Cains Point loop, meanwhile, offers the possibility of leaving Route 11 to drive into the countryside along a golf course in addition to magnificent landscapes including several rivers crossing Tabusintac with some valleys as challenges, even for fit cyclists.
Route 14 – 41 km: A peaceful loop connecting Tabusintac and Tracadie
This route runs along Route 11 with its wide and safe shoulder and includes beautiful crossings of the bridges of the Tabusintac and Tracadie rivers, while the Pont-Lafrance-Leech-Brantville section rather offers a companion ride. On the way back to Tabusintac, cyclists who will opt for a short detour to Val-Comeau beach (Option 14C (+ 9 km), or a few kilometers further, Pointe Wishart (Option 14B (+ 4 km) with the view of Tabusintac Bay and the possibility of seeing fishing activity at the MacEachern wharf.
