Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour Planner

Both Sides Now: Ride One Great Loop of the St. Lawrence River…

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Related: Supertrax Article (coming soon!)

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The Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour is remarkable new ride is destined to become one of Quebec’s premier circuits. It debuted in 2024 and takes six days of riding to cover the loop between Lévis and Baie-Comeau, riding both shore of the river. Everything needed to start planning your own Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour is right here at your fingertips…

 

“I really enjoyed this loop’s diversity, from terrain & scenery to many different types of bridges & ferries – each feature we experienced left me eager to see what we’d encounter next.” – Johnny Biasi, Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour rider.

 

 

“This loop is perfect for couples wanting a unique tour for their snowmobile getaway. The moderate distances on easy-to-ride trails are suitable for all riding abilities – and trail accessible hotels offered top notch meals & beautiful cozy rooms.” – Trish Robinson, Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour rider.

 

Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour General Info

Tour Distance & Duration: 1,469km (913mi.) in 6 days. Note: the entire tour is in the Eastern Time Zone, so no time changes.

Tour Tips: The entire ride itinerary depends on the Baie-Comeau to Matane ferry schedule, so if you choose not to start & finish on the days noted in my itinerary below, be sure to check ferry days & times for crossing the St. Lawrence River first, before planning your own itinerary. I also recommend including 1 extra day at the end of the ride just in case something unexpected happens and you need it.

3 River Crossings

• Ride Day 1: Lévis to Quebec City: by road in enclosed trailer shuttle across St. Lawrence River.
• Ride Day 2: Ferry across Saguenay River from Baie-Sainte-Catherine to Tadoussac.
• Ride Day 4: Baie-Comeau to Matane ferry across St. Lawrence River.

Loop Contacts

• Tourisme Chaudière-Appalaches
• Tourisme Charlevoix
• Le Quebec Maritime (Regions – Côte-Nord, Gaspésie & Bas-Saint-Laurent)
• Trail Permits & Interactive Trail Map
• Eastern Quebec Tour Planner

 

“The ferry crossings were definitely a loop highlight, especially the one between Baie-Comeau & Matane which was like a cruise ship. The ferry crews have boarding & disembarking down to a fine art for snowmobilers and our Rollerskis made it even easier!” – Al Fletcher, Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour rider.

 

Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour Ride Itinerary

 

SATURDAY: Trailer to Lévis, Quebec in Chaudière-Appalaches Region

Where To Stay: Hôtel & Suite Normandin Lévis – (418) 831-3119 | [email protected]

Trail access form TQ75. Breakfast & WIFI included at hotel. Park trucks & trailers in Restaurant Le Normandin parking lot across the street with video surveillance for duration of tour. Fuel up trucks & sleds before arrival at hotel if needed.

 

SUNDAY: Ride Day 1 – Sled shuttle from Lévis to Quebec City, then ride to La Malbaie in Charlevoix Region.

Sled Shuttle: from Hotel & Suites Le Normandin Lévis parking lot (TQ75) to Hotel Motel Colibri, parking lot in Québec City (TQ73). Shuttle contact #: 418-872-2848. The enclosed trailer shuttle takes 4 snowmobiles/riders at the time and takes less than an hour for one-way drive, including riders loading and unloading. Operates 24/7 from 7am-9pm at a cost of $32/sled with 2-sled minimum.

 

“Starting at 7am, trailering seven sleds in two trips was easy & our group hit the trail on the north side of the river in less than two & a half hours.” – Kevin O’Brien, Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour rider.

 

Option 1 Ride Route (214km/133mi) – as highlighted in route map below:

• From Hotel Colbri via TQ73 west to TQ3 east (3km/1.9mi)
• Follow TQ3 east into Charlevoix Region to RT378 east (146km/91mi). Lunch: Relais du Michelieu at intersection of TQ3 & RT378 or Hotel Baie-Saint-Paul.
• Then east on RT378 to Baie-Saint-Paul (12km/7.5mi.) for fuel and continue on RT378 to Local Trail 124 (44km/27mi).
• Follow LT124 south to hotel (9km).

Option 2 Ride Route (218km/135mi):

• From Hotel Colbri via TQ73 west to TQ3 east (3km/1.9mi)
• Follow TQ3 east into Charlevoix Region to RT378 east (146km/91). Lunch: Relais du Michelieu at intersection of TQ3 & RT378
• Stay on TQ 3 to Local trail (18km/11mi), then turn right (Maison Chez Laurent sign) & go 1km/.6mi to fuel (and food, if you choose not to eat at Relais du Michelieu).
• Go back to TQ3 (1km/.6mi) & continue east to LT64 south (28km/17mi) and take LT64 into Clermont for fuel (3km/1.9mi – turn left at 1^st street after crossing Hwy138).
• Continue on LT64 to RT378 (4km/2.5mi) and turn left and ride to LT124 (5km/3mi).
• Follow LT124 south to hotel (9km/5.6mi).

Where To Stay: Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu La Malbaie (Local Trail 124 leads to door of underground heated parking for sleds). Hotel has 3 restaurants, indoor/outdoor heated pool, WIFI, spa, Casino de Charlevoix.

 

MONDAY: Ride Day 2 – Trail + ferry crossing from La Malbaie to Les Escoumins in Côte-Nord Region of Le Quebec Maritime.

Ride Option 1 Route: TQ3 + 2 scenic lookouts (230km/143mi) – as highlighted in route map above:

• LT124 west to RT378 north to LT64 into Clermont for fuel (19km/12mi).
• Continue on LT64 to Montagne de la Croix lookout (2km/1.3mi) and then to TQ3 east to Mont à Peine lookout (11km/7mi).
• Stay on TQ 3 to fuel in Saint-Simeon (42km/26mi) and to the ferry at Baie-Sainte-Catherine (67km/41.6mi).
• Continue on TQ3 to Les Escoumins (89km/55mi) and take local trail to hotel. (fuel up at Ultramar nearby).

Ride Option 2 Route: Regional Trails + 4 scenic lookouts (234km/145mi)

• LT124 west to RT378 north to LT64 into Clermont for fuel (19km/12mi).
• Continue on LT64 to Montagne de la Croix lookout (2km/1.3mi) and then to TQ3 east to Mont à Peine lookout (11km/7mi).
• Go back west on TQ3 to RT378 (3km/1.9mi) and take LT54 east to Mont Thérèse-Casgrain lookout (9km/5.6mi).
• Continue on LT54 to RT378 north (2km/1.3mi) to Lac Gravel lookout (3km/1.9mi), then go back on RT378 to LT54 to LT94 north (7km/4.4mi).
• Take LT94 to TQ3 east (13km/8mi) to fuel in Saint-Siméon (9km/5.6mi).
• Continue on TQ3 to ferry at Baie-Saint-Catherine (67km/41.6mi – fuel also here) and cross Saguenay River to Tadoussac. Ferry Info: (418) 235-4395. Free. Runs 24/7. No reservations needed. Crossing time: 15 min. You have now entered the Côte-Nord region. Lunch: Tadoussac
• Continue on TQ3 to Les Escoumins (89km/55mi) and take local trail to hotel. (fuel up at Ultramar nearby).

Where To Stay: Complexe hôtelier Escoumins, Les Escoumins. Trail accessible, sled parking in front of ground floor rooms with video surveillance, restaurant & gas station nearby.

 

TUESDAY Ride Day 3 – Trail from Les Escoumins to Baie-Comeau in Cote-Nord Region.

Ride (278km/173mi):

• LT back to TQ3 east.
• Continue on TQ3 (Fuel & restaurant at Rivère Portneuf (89km/55mi) or Forestville (117km/73mi) – take LT to Econo Inn or Colombier (161km/100mi). At Baie-Comeau take 2nd local trail for gas (sign to Travelodge by Wyndham?) & 3^rd local trail off TQ3 (8km/5mi – Baie Comeau ferry sign). Hotel is near ferry terminal.

Stay: Hôtel Le Manoir Baie-Comeau. Trail accessible, sled parking in front of hotel, restaurant on site.

“The world’s highest snowmobile bridge is mighty impressive, although not wide enough for sleds to pass one another –  but good sight lines make it easy to spot oncoming traffic!” – Craig Irwin, Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour rider.

 

WEDNESDAY Ride Day 4 – Ferry from Baie Comeau + Trail from Matane (Gaspésie Region) to Rimouski (Bas-Saint-Laurent Region) both via TQ5

Ride (159km/99mi):

• Baie-Comeau to Matane Ferry: Advance reservations recommended by calling 1-877-787-7483. Arrive for boarding at least 45 min. prior to ferry departure time. Cost: #38.05/sled. Refreshments & indoors lounge available on board. Crossing time: 2 hours + embarking & disembarking time. www.traversiers.com/en/our-ferries/matane-baie-comeau-godbout-ferry/schedule-and-fares

• After unloading in Matane (you are now in Gaspésie Region) and ride 145km/91mi to Rimouski (in Bas-Saint-Laurent region). Take LT southwest from ferry to TQ5 west (4km/2.5mi).
• Continue on TQ5 west to TQ35 (127km/79mi ) & follow TQ5 to the western end of RT578 (16km/10mi). Then follow RT578 & LT to hotel (12km/7.5mi).
• If ferry for some reason you’re short on ride time this PM, do Plan B: take TQ5 to RT578 (at its eastern end, near Mont-Joli) all the way into Rimouski (113km/70mi).
• Fuel up at Irving on LT to hotel.

Stay: Hôtel Rimouski, Rimouski (418 725-5000) breakfast in site, WIFI. Park sleds in front of hotel – video surveillance).

Dinner: Brigade 225 restaurant at Hôtel Rimouski

 

THURSDAY Ride Day 5 – Trail from Rimouski to La Pocatière (both in Bas-Saint-Laurent region)

Ride (261km/162mi (with scenic detour):

• Local Trail from Rimouski back to RT578 south to TQ5 west to RT518 north (50 km/31mi) to local trail to Saint-Fabien lookout (22.6 km/14mi).
• Follow LT back to RT518 and take it westbound until it reconnects with RT571 near Trois-Pistoles (44 km/27mi). Fuel up in Saint Simeon on RT518.
• Take RT571 south to TQ5 (3km/1.9mi) and follow TQ5 west to RT553 (125km/78mi) Fuel: at relais (junction of TQ5 & RT553 south).
• Take RT553 north to hotel (17km/10mi) Fuel: 4km/2.5mi past hotel at end of RT553.

Stay: Auberge Cap Martin, La Pocatière (418) 856-4450 On site restaurant, breakfast, WIFI)

Dinner: On site restaurant closes at 2pm, so 3 options –  1. Go downtown (by taxi) to eat out; 2. take out delivery from Mikes Restaurant to hotel; or 3. contact the Auberge du Cap Martin before 1 p.m. the day before your arrival to have dinner prepared for you to collect at the hotel reception upon your arrival & reheat in your room.

 

FRIDAY Ride Day 6– Trail from La Pocatière to Lévis (95% in Chaudière-Appalaches Region)

Ride (327km/203mi):

• Take RT553 south to TQ5 west (17km/10.5mi).
• Follow TQ5 west to LT337 north (18km/11mi).
• Take LT337 north to Saint-Louise lookout (5km/3mi) and then back to TQ5 east (5km/3mi)
• Follow TQ5 east 2km to TQ55 south and take it to intersection of TQ35 west (18km/11mi)
• Take TQ35 west to RT547 north (90km/56mi). Fuel on TQ35 at Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire at Hwy 283 crossing (51km/31.7mi from starting on TQ35) & lunch at Parc des Chutes d’Armagh on TQ35 at Hwy 281 crossing (20km/12.5mi farther on).
• Follow RT547 north to RT545 east to TQ5 west (18km/11mi).
• Take TQ5 west to TQ75 north (74km/46mi).
• Follow TQ75 north to hotel (11km/7mi).

Stay: Hôtel & Suite Normandin Lévis – (418 831-3119  breakfast, WIFI)

Dinner: restaurant Le Normandin or at St-Hubert (1 min walk from your hotel).

“I highly recommend this very memorable ride to anyone wanting to discover the best of Quebec snowmobiling – all in one amazing loop!” – Kathleen Hedley, Grand St. Lawrence Snowmobile Tour rider.

SATURDAY – Trailer home

 

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The tips and advice in this blog are the opinions of the author, may not work in every situation and are intended only for the convenience and interest of the reader, who has the personal responsibility to confirm the validity, accuracy and relevancy of this information prior to putting it to their own use.