Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Forest Depths and Hidden Lakes
Distance
133 Mi.
(214 KM)Days
3
% Unpaved
84%
% Singletrack
0%
% Rideable (time)
99%
Total Ascent
7,088'
(2,160 M)High Point
1,323'
(403 M)Difficulty (1-10)
4?
- 3Climbing Scale Fair53 FT/MI (10 M/KM)
- 4Technical Difficulty Fair
- 3Physical Demand Fair
- 4Resupply & Logistics Fair
Contributed By
Louise Philipovitch
Guest Contributor
Louise is a French adventure cyclist who has made Quebec, Canada, her new home. She works in the bike industry and tries to live on her bike for extended periods whenever she can. She enjoys sharing the essence of her bikepacking adventures through her lens, drawings, and articles, writing columns for both print and online magazines. Find more from Louise on Instagram @louise_philipovitch
Traversing the ZECs (Zones d’Exploitation Contrôlée) in Quebec offers a unique opportunity to explore some of the province’s most pristine natural environments. Established in the 1970s, ZECs are managed by non-profit organizations and provide access to a wide range of outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, and camping. Bikepacking is also gaining popularity in ZECs since it’s tolerated and wild camping is allowed. This route was created to promote two-wheeled travel and encourage another use of these logging roads. A journey through these controlled harvesting zones immerses adventurers in diverse landscapes, from dense forests and serene lakes to rugged mountains and flowing rivers.
As this route crosses several ZECs and wildlife reserves, make sure you have the necessary permits and plan your wild camping according to the distance you plan on riding. This route can be done in one or two nights. See details under the Must Know and Camping tabs below.
Route Difficulty
The route is technically easy and entirely rideable, consisting mostly of secondary gravel roads through the woods, with some slippery and loose sections, as well as some paved segments. Our group all finished without any issues, but tires with a minimum width of 47 mm would provide extra comfort and better maneuverability in the sandy and rocky stretches, which can be tricky when it’s raining. Otherwise, Forest Depths and Hidden Lakes is 100% rideable. There are a few steep hills, but it’s overall not very demanding. Being a short route, there aren’t many resupply options, and you’re better off planning in advance to be largely self-sufficient, aside from resupply options at the start and about the halfway mark. There is almost no cell phone coverage on the route.
Route Development: This route was originally created by Serge-Olivier Rondeau for Panorama Cycles. We initially planned to ride it at a relaxed pace and complete the route in three days. However, a downpour forced us to change our plans, so we split it into two long days of riding and a shorter morning. For more bikepacking route inspiration in Quebec, head to the Panorama Cycles website!
This route is part of the Local Overnighter Project, which was created to expand our growing list of worldwide bikepacking routes—the first and largest of its kind—and create an independent map and catalog of great bikepacking overnighters, curated by you, from your own backyard. Our goal is to have accessible routes from every town and city in the world. Learn More
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Highlights
Must Know
Camping
Food/H2O
Resources
- A lake right off the road that makes a perfect place to stop for a lunch break. Also, there is this charming old wooden house that’s been abandoned for years, with its roof now sagging. Map here.
- Access to a lake with a SEPAQ boat, the perfect spot for a little break and to swim when it’s hot. Beware of the leeches, though! Map here.
- Lac Tarbelle can be a nice spot to stop. Map here.
- The stretch a few kilometers before arriving in La Tuque runs alongside several large lakes is quite enjoyable and rideable, allowing you to take your eyes off the road and appreciate the views of the lakes.
- La Tuque is the main town you’ll cross and is about mid-way. Check out the Roi de la Patate restaurant.
- Doheny, pronounced Downey, was once a bustling village with a sawmill, a general store, and a church serving its residents. Over time, it was abandoned and was dormant for several decades. Recently, people and younger generations have decided to return, reclaiming and rebuilding their ancestral homes. Now, a few locals visit periodically, breathing new life into the village. Barely accessible by car, Doheny is reachable by train if you ask the conductor to make a special stop. Map here.
- A few kilometers only after Doheny, there is a very steep hill. Depending on your gear ratio and general fitness, you may need to push your bike. It’s not that long, but it’s worth mentioning as it all left us panting and sweating!
- The best time to ride this route is mid-June to mid-September
- You must register and pay a fee for both ZECs you cross. For the Tawachiche ZEC, you can register directly at the reception (check the opening hours online; see links below). For the Bessonne ZEC, you can do so by phone or on-site when you pass through the area. A sign will indicate that you are entering the ZEC, and there will be a small box where you can register and pay the fees. Be sure to have cash on hand.
- Since most of the route passes through areas without network coverage, download maps in advance and plan a way to contact emergency services if needed.
- Once the hunting season has started in the ZECs, it is highly recommended not to go, and can even be forbidden. Since the start of the hunting season varies from year to year, it is recommended to check directly on the website of each ZEC (see links under the Resources tab).
- The later in the summer you go, the fewer mosquitoes and flies you’ll encounter, and they are particularly voracious in this region!
- Beware of the leeches, we saw them in every lake we went into.
- Regarding the camping, there are lots of options, and wild camping is allowed in most areas we crossed – if not all.
- Wild camping is allowed in the ZECs, with a fee of about $10 to be paid at the time of check-in at the ZEC reception.
- It’s also a good idea to double-check with the person at the reception for any prohibited areas during your visit.
- If you don’t want to rely on wild camping and not being sure of where you’ll sleep, you can also book a spot in advance in a dedicated area (there is no service to do so en route, though).
- For both options, either wild camping or to book a spot in a dedicated area, it’s better to communicate with the ZECs/wildlife reserve directly (the best way to book a spot is to contact them): ZEC Tawachiche, ZEC de la Bessonne, Réserve Faunique Portneuf.
- This route offers a true immersion in nature, resulting in few resupply points along the way.
- Plan to resupply at the starting point in Saint-Thècle and halfway in La Tuque.
- It is also necessary to carry your own water filtration system to replenish from streams along the way.
Resources
Hunting season (start dates)
Terms of Use: As with each bikepacking route guide published on BIKEPACKING.com, should you choose to cycle this route, do so at your own risk. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. While riding, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and of course, follow the #leavenotrace guidelines. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. BIKEPACKING.com LLC, its partners, associates, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route.
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