The perfect way to discover the Soulanges Canal

Photo credit: L’Art de capter by Josiane Farand

Soulanges cycle path

The Soulanges cycle path goes along the canal on its first 23.5 km (from Pointe-des-Cascades to Les Coteaux) and then continues through Saint-Zotique and Rivière-Beaudette, for a total of 35 km of asphalt path.

You’ll find along the way many halts with bicycle repair stations, sanitation facilities, furniture for you to relax and well-present signage to easily orient yourself.

Soulanges Bike Path Map

Photo credit: L’Art de capter by Josiane Farand

The cycling season by the canal

Opening periods and general information

The Soulanges bike path is open and cleaned from May onwards. The sanitary facilities are all open between 7am and 9pm along the canal, and 7am to 7:30pm for Les Coteaux.

Late season: When the weather is good, the bike path can welcome visitors until November or even December! It is also cleared of snow in winter. For fall and winter cyclists, we suggest that you plan ahead: the Pointe-des-Cascades and Les Coteaux toilets are the only ones that are accessible year-round.

If you see a problem, call or text us at 438-405-2300.

Looking forward to meeting you on the trail!

Work Information

Petit Pouvoir Work Info

Update June 26, 2023: The section of cycle path between chemin Saint-Dominique and rue Gaëtan-Guérin is now closed to cyclists and pedestrians until further notice. You’ll need to take chemin Du Fleuve to connect chemin Saint-Dominique with rue Gaëtan-Guérin (which leads to chemin Saint-Emmanuel). All access to the Petit Pouvoir site or this section is forbidden until further notice. Work is scheduled for completion in winter 2023-2024.

Coteau dam work info (Coteau-du-Lac to Salaberry-de-Valleyfield)

Update 10/16/2023: the Monseigneur-Langlois bridge cycle path will be dismantled this week in preparation for the winter season. The route will be re-established in spring 2024. See you next year!

Info-works Saint-Timothée Loop

Work is regularly carried out on the Hydro-Québec dams in Saint-Timothée. Consult this section to see if any work will require the closing of the bike path and the stopping of the river shuttle (summer period).

Update May 23, 2023: The Saint-Thimotée dam, as well as the section of trail leading to it from the Les Cèdres shuttle arrival point, will open on June 3, but will close in September 2023 and winter 2023-2024. You’ll have to take the western part of the loop, passing through Île Juillet and Parc des Îles-de-Saint-Thimotée. Note that this section is open between 7:00 and 20:00.

Work information for the Saint-Zotique sector

The construction of a new school on the territory of the Municipality of Saint-Zotique will result in a temporary closure of a section of the Soulanges bicycle path between 13th and 26th Avenues. Detour signage is present on site. Work is expected to be completed in the fall of 2023.

Access and parking

Photo credit: L’Art de capter by Josiane Farand

Photo credit: L’Art de capter by Josiane Farand

Xplorateurs Family Bike Tour

Xplorators Family Bike Tour, in collaboration with Parks Canada!

The “Xplorateurs à vélo” tour is a self-guided bike rally for the whole family. Head to the Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site to pick up your special booklet and explorer’s gear and get ready to discover the history of the navigators along the Soulanges Canal.

Price: $4.94/family. Ideal for families with children from 6 to 12 years old.
Payment by card or cash, directly at the Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site.
From June 17, 2023, to September 4, 2023, 10am to 5pm.

Photo credit: L’Art de capter by Josiane Farand

Guided tours along the Soulanges Canal

August 4, 11 and 18, 2023

Get on your bike and take part in the ArchéoTour bike tour from 9.30am to 12pm.

This 17 km circuit along the Soulanges Canal, guided and animated by Parks Canada staff, offers impressive archaeological landscapes of the St. Lawrence canalization. Recommended for ages 16 and up.

Price: $18 + tx / person. Reservations required by following the link: canaldesoulanges.ca/eventer/archeotour2023

Les Cèdres River Shuttle

Update 2023: The shuttle service will be available starting Saturday June 3rd.

The Les Cèdres – Salaberry-de-Valleyfield river shuttle allows to reach Saint-Timothée (Valleyfield) in only a few minutes. Important: the shuttle only accepts payment by credit or debit card. Departure is at the municipal dock of Les Cèdres, in the heart of the village. Arrival and return point is at l’Île aux Vaches. From there, you can access the Parc des Îles-de-Saint-Thimotée, and the Saint-Thimotée beach. Click here for more information about the beach.

*** Check the Info-works section about the Saint-Timothée loop (above) before your trip! ***

For fees and the complete program, visit the Les Cèdres official website.

To see the 4 canals Circuit (60km), visit our Bikemap!

Schedule and prices

Schedule

  • Fête des Patriotes to the last Sunday of June: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 10 am to 6 pm.
  • First weekend of July to Labor Day: Thursdays to Sundays and statutory holidays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Labor Day to Thanksgiving: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 10am to 6pm.

** In case of heavy rain, the shuttle service will be interrupted.

Prices

  • Resident (with proof of residence): One way: $2, round trip: $3
  • Non-resident: One way: $3, round trip: $5

** Payment by debit or credit cards only

Photo credit: Olivier Langevin

Which bike circuit to choose?

On the road or on the cycle path, your heart is torn between the two?

No problem! You can get the best of both worlds by going through the chemin du Fleuve for your return trip. This scenic road goes through the village cores and offers great views of the Saint-Lawrence river. This circuit is called the “Circuit du canal de Soulanges”.

We’ve put all the details in our Bikemap profile!

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Parc du canal de Soulanges

Banner photo credit: Olivier Langevin