Cycling in Quebec City: The Best Quebec City Bike Paths for Outdoor Adventures

Cycling in Quebec City is an amazing activity to add to your Quebec City itinerary and travel plans. You can explore Quebec City bike paths on your own, take a guided tour around the city, or embark on a lengthier cycling trip if you're serious about biking.

The Best Places to Go Cycling in Quebec City

There are so many amazing places to go cycling in Quebec City. There are many Quebec City bike paths that are reserved for pedestrians or bicycles only, so you won't have to worry about riding on the road. It's possible to stick to paved paths around Quebec City, ride around the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec, or embark on an adventure to nearby waterfalls or the countryside! Here are a few popular routes to go biking in Quebec City, whether you're a local or a tourist.

Corridor du Littoral

The Corridor du Littoral is part of the 5,300km Route Verte, North America's longest network of bike trails. It extends across Quebec to Ontario, New Brunswick, and the USA, uniting the provinces by cycling paths. The Corridor du Littoral is a 50km flat section of trail along the St. Lawrence River that leads to Montmorency Falls.

On our bike ride on the Corridor du Littoral, we headed south along the St. Lawrence River, beside Boulevard Champlain. We rode past the spot where the ferry boats and cruise ships docked. This was the only place on the path where things could get a little bit congested if passengers were boarding the boats. Otherwise, the traffic along the paved path was fairly minimal.

Once we peddled past some shops and restaurants of Basse-Ville, Vieux Quebec (Lower Town, Old Quebec), we enjoyed views of interesting homes with winding staircases that were built against the rocky cliffs that divided the Upper Town and the Lower Town. On the other side, we enjoyed gorgeous views of the deep blue river. Eventually, this leads to Promenade Samuel-De Champlain, a landscaped park with beautiful scenery of the river and surroundings.

Corridor de la Rivière-Saint-Charles

Heading back to where we started at Old Port, we continued northwest on the Corridor de la Rivière-Saint-Charles. This is a loop cycling path on both sides of the Saint Charles River. In total, the Corridor de la Rivière-Saint-Charles is 9km and makes for a pleasant and easy ride with lovely scenery. You'll also see the Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site on your journey.

Corridor des Cheminots

A third place to go cycling in Quebec City is the Corridor des Cheminots. It's a 22km bike path that winds through the suburbs in the north end of the city. It traverses through urban landscapes and parks, connecting the north part of Quebec City with Old Quebec. It's also part of the The Great Trail (Trans Canada Trail), the longest trail in the country.

Île d'Orléans (Le Circuit Félix-Leclerc)

If you're looking for another place to go bike riding near Quebec City, I recommend cycling around Ile d'Orleans. It's an island near Quebec City where you'll discover stunning scenery, beautiful countryside, and farmers' stalls to sample fresh produce. There are wineries on the island, too! You can cycle around the entire perimeter of the island (Le Circuit Félix-Leclerc). There aren't any separate bike paths, and you'll have to share the road with motorized vehicles. Cars drive fairly slowly and there are always many cyclists sharing the road in the summertime.

Quebec City Bike Rental

Justin and I didn't need to use a Quebec City bike rental company because our hotel, Hotel 71, offered them for free. We rented bicycles by the hour for no cost from our hotel. However, if you are unable to borrow bikes from your accommodation, there are several bike rental businesses in Quebec City. Ideally, you'll choose one near Old Port and the St. Lawrence River, which proved to be an optimal place for cycling in Quebec City.

Here are some Quebec City bike rental companies where you can rent bikes for four hours or a full day (eight hours). There's also the possibility of renting an electric bike for something a little different.

• Four Hour Bike Rental from Echo Sports
• Full Day Bike Rental from Echo Sports
• Four Hour Bike Rental from Cyclo Services
• Electric Bike Rental from Echo Sports

Top Quebec City Bike Tours

You don't necessarily have to go cycling in Quebec City on your own. It's possible to book a guided tour where you'll ride along with a knowledgeable local guide. You'll cycle to popular attractions and sights where you'll learn some insightful facts about the destination. Here are our top picks:

Old Quebec Cycling Tour

Embark on a historic bike tour of Old Quebec's Lower Town. You'll visit Place Royale, Quartier Petit Champlain, ride along cobblestone streets and by the scenic river. You'll ride with a knowledgeable guide, learn about centuries-old history, and enjoy the beautiful views. Book your bike tour of Old Quebec.

Montmorency Falls Bike Tour

Starting in Old Quebec, you'll take a four hour bike tour to the wondrous Montmorency Falls. Witness this spectacular waterfall, ride the cable car, and soak up the beauty of the nearby landscaped gardens. Walk across the suspension bridge that extends across the waterfall before cycling back to Quebec City. Book your bike tour of Montmorency Falls.

Why You Need to Go Biking in Quebec City

Riding a bike around town with the gentle breeze on my face was such a wonderful feeling. It was a great break from all of the walking we were doing around Quebec City. Cycling in Quebec City offers new perspectives of its old town and beyond, and you're able to travel farther than walking. We were content to admire some new scenery from the bike paths.

It's easy to find and use the bike paths. Head towards Old Port and the waterfront. You can also ride your bike on any city streets, but just be careful and mindful of the traffic and pedestrians if you choose to do this. I highly recommend using the paved cycling paths as it makes for a smooth ride and you don't have to worry much about cars or road traffic.

Where to Stay in Old Quebec: Hotel 71

Book Your Stay | Read Our Review | Read More Reviews by Fellow Travelers

As I mentioned above, Justin and I stayed at Hotel 71 in Old Quebec. We loved spending the night there for many reasons, one being the complimentary bike rentals. The building itself is an architectural gem, once home to the National Bank of Canada. We adored the modern elegance of our room and the views of the St. Lawrence River from our window. It's also wonderful to always have access to delicious coffee, both in the room and downstairs in the public seating area.

Book Your Stay | Read Our Review | Read More Reviews by Fellow Travelers

Essential Quebec City Travel Guide
Getting There: If you're arriving by air, you'll fly into the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport. From there, it's about a 20-25 minute taxi ride to Old Quebec. Search for the best rates on flights to Quebec City. Getting Around: When you're in Quebec City, you won't need a car. Renting a bike is a fun idea to get around the city, but you can walk everywhere. If you'd like to visit nearby attractions outside Quebec City, I suggest renting a car. Compare car rental prices for the best rate. Fast Facts: Canadian Dollar is the currency. Power voltage is 110-120 V 60 Hz using Power Sockets A and B. You'll need an adapter if you're visiting from an international destination outside of North America. SIM Cards & Mobile: You can rent a portable Wi-Fi device with unlimited data that works in 130+ countries worldwide. We've used our portable device all over the world and love how we're always connected! Travel Safety: Don't forget to get travel insurance before your trip. Whether you have an accident, have a flight delay, experience a theft, or need to return home sooner than anticipated, it's always best to cover your bases. Get a travel insurance quote now for the best rates.
Browse all of our Quebec photos and read more of our Quebec travel blog posts.

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Where's your favorite place in the world to go cycling?