Frequently Asked Questions

There is some precautions to follow when you are on the Véloroute des Bleuets, also, some services are temporary closed because of the COVID-19. Make sure to have a look on the page ''Recommendations - COVID-19'' here: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/covid-19.

Tourisme Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean created a list of the most common questions asked. Here is the answer to your questions: https://www.saguenaylacsaintjean.ca/en/experiences/answers-to-your-questions.

Family sections

These sections are family oriented, as they can be cycled by young users as well as older ones. There are none to almost none paved shoulders or designated shared roadways on these circuits

No, there isn’t. The circuit is relatively flat and accessible to families as well as touring and performance oriented cyclists. The color codes on our maps should help you target the most appropriate sections according to your ambitions. If you need more detailed information, consult our maps in our “bike experience 2018-2019” guide.

Note that what is given as a positive altitude change corresponds to the addition of all elevations.

Yes, there are restrooms in every municipalities.

Except for the 15 kilometers section across the Pointe Taillon Park mentioned above, composed of extremely fine crushed stones, well compacted, the 256 kilometers to complete the Véloroute des Bleuets are all paved. They are divided as follows:

• Bicycle trails (105 km) – 43%: Paved surface, maintained and reserved exclusively for the Véloroute travelers and independent of the roadways.
• Intra-municipal Network (8 km) – 3%: Cycling network created and maintaine by the municipalities that it passes through
• Paved Shoulder (82 km) -34%: Widening from 1.5 to 1.7 meters located on both sides of the traffic lane
• Designated shared roadway (48 km) – 20%: Itinerary on a street or highway with little traffic flow, officially recognized as a bicycle lane, without lanes, reserved for cyclists and signs posted for motorists indicating the presence of cyclists.

When consulting our maps at https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/interactives-maps (you can also download the PDF version of the maps via the Ondago app for your tablet or smartphone), the cyclable paths sections are in green and the paved shoulder with a small percentage vertical gain are in orange.

Not only you can, but we strongly recommend you do. But you must know that this section is 48 kilometers and that is not paved but composed of small crushed compressed stones. The visitor’s guide will be handed to you upon inscription to the Park, and there are a multitude of memorable activities to be had there. Do expect a fee for parking and access to the Pointe Taillon National Park.

There are 35 rest areas all along the Véloroute des Bleuets. The distance between them varies from 10 to 15 kilometers. You will find restrooms and picnic tables and water supply.

First, please go to map number 1 in order to visualize what we are about to explain. http://www.igloocreations.com/ondagoweb.php?id=veloroutedesbleuets2018-carte1&lang=en

• From the Pointe Taillon National Park’s entrance to Péribonka’s Marina = 21 kilometers to cycle.
• From the Pointe Taillon National Park’s entrance to Sainte-Monique and on to Péribonka’s Marina: 37 kilometers to cycle.

** Please note that the Pointe Taillon National Park is a major attraction in its entirety, with its panoramic views, its diversified wildlife and flora and its magnificent beaches.

Yes, it is, and you have two options:

• Plan to have a car left at your arrival destination to return with or consult Équinox Aventures to make arrangements with them.
• The Centre de Villégiature la Dam-en-Terre (a resort also accessible from Île Maligne via le Maligneau bicycle crossing) offers passage on the boat, La Tournée, to Roberval on specific Sundays during summer. A one-way cruise between Alma and Roberval takes 2.5 hours. Cyclists are welcome on board for travelling by boat and returning via the Véloroute des Bleuets. Bicycles can be carried free of charge. For more information please consult: http://experiencevelo.com/en/marine-shuttles/

Yes. Except for the 15 kilometers across the Pointe Taillon National Park, which, for environmental reasons, are composed of extremely fine crushed stones, and therefore accessible to every type of bikes.

We do not recommend this road for security reasons.

• The road is particularly narrow; there has never been any work done on this road to make it cyclists’friendly
• There is a lot of traffic (delivery vans, etc.)

Since the Véloroute des Bleuets is a closed circular circuit, you can cycle it in both directions. There is no clockwise or anticlockwise specific direction. The whole circuit is marked accordingly both on the ground and on road signs.

All the sections identified in green on our detailed maps in our guide are suited for beginners, since these are paved cyclable paths reserved exclusively for the Véloroute des Bleuets’ users.

The lot of our interactive maps can be consulted at https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/interactives-maps or downloaded from the mobile app Ondago.

Here are some of our suggestions:

• The Pointe-Taillon National Park (45 km)
• Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix towards Desbiens (7 km with a panoramic view over Lac-Saint-Jean)
• Roberval-Val-Jalbert | 7 km along the lake
• Saint-Prime-Saint-Félicien | 12 km

Since the Véloroute des Bleuets is a closed circular loop, you can start from any municipalities around the lake. You can choose where to start from by consulting our interactive map at https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/interactives-maps, or download them from the mobile Ondago app, and find out which roads to take to get to your starting point.

It is symbolic, because in 1998, when the idea of the Véloroute des Bleuets became a concrete project, the ground-breaking ceremony was held in Sainte-Monique.

Yes, some companies offer an opportunity to discover the Véloroute des Bleuets in personalized packages.

• Équinox Aventure, bike (nautical and winter packages) travel agency 418-668-7381
• L’Agence par groupe voyages Québec 1 800 679-8242
• Gendrontours 1 800 561 8747

Please refer to page 11 of our “Bike experience 2018-2019” guide for more details or consult http://experiencevelo.com/en/packages/

The shipping fees (Canada 10$ ⁄ United States 15$ ⁄ Europe 25$) are based on the weight of shipping one guide only. If you want another one, you can return to our « Online store »and place another order, or pick one up for free at our 4 Maisons du Vélo around the Lake.

If you want a printed version of the guide of the circuit " Bike Experience Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean 2018”, please follow the link below: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/boutique/guide-velo to order your copy. The guide is free but you will have to pay for the shipping (Canada 10$ ⁄ United States 15$ ⁄ Europe 25$) by credit card or Pay Pal. You can also get it for free at any of the Maisons du Vélo (Alma, Roberval, Dolbeau-Mistassini and Hébertville) or in the Tourist Information Desks. You can also consult it on line or download the PDF version on our website: veloroutedesbleuets.com

Our choice to propose the “Bienvenue cyclistes!” in our guide results of our willingness to offer the best “bike experience” to our Véloroute des Bleuets and Véloroute du Fjord du Saguenay users, because these lodgings are synonym of an exceptional welcome and adapted to cyclists needs. You can also find our partners’ entire list of accommodation under the “lodging” tab at https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/lodging

You have to book your own accommodation. There are a lot of suggestions on our website at https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/lodging or on our mobile Ondago app.

You will also find accredited accommodation suggestions “Bienvenue cyclistes” in our “Bike experience 2018-2019” guide printed at the back of the maps.

Do not delay and plan your itinerary in order to book your accommodation well in advance.

Of course you can. Here are seven easy steps to it:

1. Determine how many kilometres you would like to cycle a day (considering the whole loop is 256 kilometers).
2. Determine your starting point, knowing you can start from any municipality and that there are authorized parkings in each of them (see the detailed maps in our guide).
3. Determine which way you want to complete your loop (the route is marked both ways).
4. Book your accommodation (see FAQ⁄question 12)
5. Book your luggage transportation if needed (visit our website to find out what are your options).
6. Get to know the many tourists attractions, nautical sports, festivals, museums and other fine opportunities and landmarks to visit while you are here in our beautiful region (visit Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean’s official tourism website at: https://www.saguenaylacsaintjean.ca/en).
7. Download each free interactive map for your phone or tablet from the Ondago mobile app or get our “Bike experience Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean” guide).

Here are some links to help you easily plan your stay:

Véloroute des Bleuets’ website:

• Detailed maps: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/detailed-maps
• Lodgings: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/lodging
• Luggage transportation: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/luggage-transportation
• Restaurants: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/restaurants
• Some suggestions for a 3 days, 4 days or 5 days’ stay:
• https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/3-days-trip
• https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/4-days-trip
• https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/5-days-trip
• Mobile Ondago app:
• Interactive maps for your mobile or tablet: https://igloocreations.com/en/homepage/
• Our “Bike experience 2018-2019” guide:
• Printed version: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/shop/cycling-guide
• PDF version: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/sites/veloroutedesbleuets.com/files/guidevelo_complet_final_anglais_2018.pdf

If you change your mind and would prefer to go for an all-inclusive package, there are a few options to make it easy to discover the Véloroute des Bleuets. Find out what possible packages are available for you here: http://experiencevelo.com/en/packages/

**Note: For information on the Véloroute du Fjord du Saguenay and mountain biking, please visit: http://experiencevelo.com/en/

No, you cannot. Camping in the park is for tents only. You can rent Utopia tents though. Please call 1 800 665 6527 for more information.

For recreational vehicules, the closest camping accepting RVs is Camping Pointe-Taillon in Sainte-Monique. 1 877 347 3124.

The circuit goes through 15 municipalities as well as the Première Nation des Pekuakamiulnuatsh community of Mashteuiatsh. There are many available lodgings, but these can be very much in demand during high season. It can therefore be difficult to find other lodgings on the spot, particularly if you are on your bike. This is why we strongly recommend you should book before leaving.

On the other hand, if you are camping, many camping owners will keep reserved sections for cyclists not having booked ahead (particularly authorized “Bienvenue cyclistes!”)

We suggest you should consult the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean official tourist guide 2018-2019’s accommodation section from page 156 onwards to look for the pet friendly symbol at: https://www.saguenaylacsaintjean.ca/en/brochures

To be eligible to an accredited accommodation “Bienvenue cyclistes!” status, the selected lodgings have to offer the following services:

• A pump and tools for making minor repairs.
• Information about local bicycle repair centres, bicycle rental outlets and tourist information offices

At B&Bs, hotels and other establishments

• A covered and locked location to store your bicycle at night.
• If there is restaurant service, your nutritional needs will be taken into account and you will be offered generous portions of fruits and vegetables and high-carb meals.

At campsites

• A camping space, even without a reservation, if you are travelling exclusively by bicycle.
• A sheltered location where you can eat during bad weather.

Here are the different types of lodging available to you:

• Véloroute des Bleuets’ partners: visit our website at https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/lodging
• Accredited accommodations “Bienvenue cyclistes!” Order or download the “Bike experience Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean” on our website at: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/shop/cycling-guide . The “Bienvenue cyclistes!” accredited accommodations are found at the back of the maps.

For other types of lodging, consult https://www.saguenaylacsaintjean.ca/en/

There are more or less 70 volunteers wearing the “Ambassadeurs Véloroute des Bleuets” jersey. They roam the circuit everyday to welcome, inform and ensure the users’ security and well being. They all carry a mobile phone, a small repair kit as well as a first aid kit. Do not hesitate to stop them if need be.

A « Maison du vélo » is a place where you can get some information about everything from your itinerary to things to do and see and services offered and more. You can also find many promotional items of the Véloroute des Bleuets.

Maison du vélo d’Alma (km 49)

Business Office (open year round)

1692, avenue du Pont Nord

Alma (Québec) G8B 5G3

418.668.4541 / 1.866.550.4541

veloroutedesbleuets.com

infoveloroutedesbleuets.com

Maison du vélo de Roberval (km 121)

At the Roberval Marina entrance

854, rue Arthur

Roberval (Québec) G8H 2M7

418.765.0115

Maison du vélo de Dolbeau-Mistassini (km 207)

Close to the visitor information center

256, boul. des Pères

Dolbeau-Mistassini (Québec) G8L 5K6

418.276.7646

Maison du vélo d’Hébertville

Located close to the church (Horst de Kénogami’s circuit)

251, rue Turgeon

Hébertville (Québec) G8N 1S2

418.344.4884

Ambassadors oversee the global satisfaction of every user. Their goal is to welcome, inform and insure users’ security first and foremost. They always have a mobile phone, and carry around tools for basic mechanical repairs as well as a first aid kit. There are almost 70 ambassadors roaming the cyclable paths. Do not hesitate to reach out to them!

The answer is yes, you do. The park offers an additional 45 kilometers of cyclable paths to the Véloroute, but if you are only going to go from Sainte-Monique to Saint-Henri-de-Taillon (a 15 kilometer ride) and you take less than two hours to do it, you will be reimbursed when exiting the park.

Note: all sections in the park are made of compressed crushed stones, not paved (accessible to touring bikes)

Park’s access fee: Adults (18 years old and over) 8.50$⁄ per day

Children 17 and under: free

Yes, for the Pointe Chevrette marine shuttle it is cash only.

For a complete and up-to-date schedule of the marine shuttles, please consult our website: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/marine-shuttlesor else why not contact the captain himself on the very day to make sure the service is on time and available at 418.720.8215.

You can consult our “Events” tab on our website to find out the most exciting cycling events in the area in 2018 at https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/calendar

There are taxis around equipped with bike racks to help you. Just make sure to tell them you are cyclists when you call. Équinox Aventures Luggage transportation can also help, depending on the time of year and your position around the lake. 418 668-7381

We strongly recommend to carry a small repair kit with you at all times. But should you need assistance, many bike repair facilities are listed on our maps in our “Bike experience 2018-2019” guide as well as on our interactive maps available for download in PDF version on our web site and on the mobile app Ondago. Our ambassadors are also there to help you with this; if you see one, do not hesitate to stop them!

Yes, you can. These parking lots are for the Véloroute des Bleuets’ users. On the other hand, you cannot camp there, in order to ensure maximal access to all users.

Every single municipalities around the lake has at least one authorized parking lot. These are well indicated in the text boxes on the right of each map in our guide. You are welcome to download our “Bike experience 2018-2019” guide at http://experiencevelo.comor order your copy here: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/shop

Of course you can. Here are seven easy steps to it:

1. Determine how many kilometres you would like to cycle a day (considering the whole loop is 256 kilometers).
2. Determine your starting point, knowing you can start from any municipality and that there are authorized parkings in each of them (see the detailed maps in our guide).
3. Determine which way you want to complete your loop (the route is marked both ways).
4. Book your accommodation (see FAQ⁄question 12)
5. Book your luggage transportation if needed (visit our website to find out what are your options).
6. Get to know the many tourists attractions, nautical sports, festivals, museums and other fine opportunities and landmarks to visit while you are here in our beautiful region (visit Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean’s official tourism website at: https://www.saguenaylacsaintjean.ca/en).
7. Download each free interactive map for your phone or tablet from the Ondago mobile app or get our “Bike experience Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean” guide).

Here are some links to help you easily plan your stay:

Véloroute des Bleuets’ website:

• Detailed maps: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/detailed-maps
• Lodgings: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/lodging
• Luggage transportation: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/luggage-transportation
• Restaurants: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/restaurants
• Some suggestions for a 3 days, 4 days or 5 days’ stay:
• https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/3-days-trip
• https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/4-days-trip
• https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/5-days-trip
• Mobile Ondago app:
• Interactive maps for your mobile or tablet: https://igloocreations.com/en/homepage/
• Our “Bike experience 2018-2019” guide:
• Printed version: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/shop/cycling-guide
• PDF version: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/sites/veloroutedesbleuets.com/files/guidevelo_complet_final_anglais_2018.pdf

If you change your mind and would prefer to go for an all-inclusive package, there are a few options to make it easy to discover the Véloroute des Bleuets. Find out what possible packages are available for you here: http://experiencevelo.com/en/packages/

**Note: For information on the Véloroute du Fjord du Saguenay and mountain biking, please visit: http://experiencevelo.com/en/

Yes, you can. Via Rail offers the service (Montreal-Jonquière train). For arrivals in Lac-Saint-Jean the railway station is in Chambord and for arrivals in Saguenay the railway station is in Jonquière.

To find out their fares and more, visit: https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/regional-trains/montreal-jonquiere

There are so many! But here is a series of options to explore if you want to visit while you are cycling:

1. Consult the Véloroute des Bleuets’ interative maps on our website https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/interactives-maps or download them from the mobile Ondago app or follow this link: https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/activities-places-interest
2. Consult our Bike experience Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean guide’s detailed maps. We have marked each place of interest with a pink dot (What to see & do).
3. Contact Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean’s official tourism or visit their website at: https://www.saguenaylacsaintjean.ca/en).

You can find all the information on this subject here https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/luggage-transportation

To avoid spread of COVID-19, free bags will be available to put your luggages in. We also recommand to each user to:

• Wash their hands before and after carrying their luggages
• Wear a mask and respect the 2 meter distance when checking in at la Maison du vélo
• Make sure they don't have any COVID-19 symptoms before making their reservation

You can book online from June 23th to September 15th 2020. Departure from la Maison du vélo d'Alma only (1692 Avenue du Pont N, Alma, QC G8B 5G3). Here is the link to book online (please note that our luggage shuttle service only stops in our lodging partners): https://veloroutedesbleuets.com/en/form/luggage-shuttle. The price rate is according to the type of your luggages and the number of overnight stays.

We do not book accomodations.

Yes, we can. Maps 18 to 30 in our guide cover the circuit, and have some detailed information on the Véloroute du Fjord du Saguenay.

You can consult our guide on our website or download its PDF version here: http://experiencevelo.com/en/

If you need additional information on the Véloroute du Fjord du Saguenay please contact Promotion Saguenay 418 698 3167 ⁄ 1 800 463 665 or visit https://tourisme.saguenay.ca/en/what-to-do/sports-outdoor-activities/velo

The northern section (Tadoussac | Saint Fulgence) is easier and less mountainous than the southern section (Saint-Siméon | La Baie). It is therefore the one we would recommend, also because the shoulder is wider, and so safer.

We wouldn’t recommend it for the following reasons:

• The paths are not looked after therefore there could be sand, leaves, stones, snow (as soon as mid-November) and so higher risks of a fall.
• Average temperature during the day is 0°C
• Val Jalbert access is closed (the only other option is to cycle on the 169)
• Le Maligneau is also closed (you can cycle on des pins street)
• Many tourists attractions and shops will also be closed

The Véloroute des Bleuets is mandated to maintain and promote the circuit for the period between May 15 to October 15.