ATV trekking break in front of Lac Therrien in TourvilleATV trekking break in front of Lac Therrien in Tourville
©ATV trekking break in front of Lac Therrien in Tourville|Stéphanie Allard
Quad enthusiast

Two days of quad biking in L’Islet

Base camp: Tourville
Stéphanie at the summit of Sugar Loaf mountain in the Parc des Appalaches at Sainte-Lucie-de-BeauregardStéphanie at the summit of Sugar Loaf mountain in the Parc des Appalaches at Sainte-Lucie-de-Beauregard
©Stéphanie at the summit of Sugar Loaf in Appalachian Park
Stéphanie Allard

I’ve always loved machines like quads and snowmobiles. I learned to drive them at a young age at my grandparents’ cottage. I love the sense of freedom they give you. You’re out in nature, accessing places that would otherwise be difficult to reach, and discovering magnificent landscapes, summer and winter alike.

 The Chaudière-Appalaches: an ideal playground for quad biking!

If you’re looking for a great place to go quad biking in summer, the Chaudière-Appalaches is the place to be! With over 1,890 km of marked trails, the region offers three main hubs:

  • Tourville / Saint-Pamphile
  • Massif du Sud
  • Thetford and Lotbinière regions

Last September, a group of colleagues and I set off on a 200 km ATV adventure, with a base camp in Tourville. It was my first summer experience on the trails, and I couldn’t wait to see the difference with winter!

Suggested departure > Centre Sportif le Jasmin, Tourville

Lodging > Maison du Voyageur, Tourville

 Day 1 - 85 km of pure quad biking pleasure

> Departure from Tourville

Our adventure begins at the Centre sportif Le Jasmin, a perfect stop with its restaurant, bar and off-road-friendly gas station. After a cup of coffee, we mount our quads and head for Lac Trois-Saumons, taking trails #10 and #30.

> Panoramic break at the Lac Trois-Saumons observation tower

Arriving at the Tour d’observation du Lac Trois-Saumons, we take out our lunches and enjoy a spectacular 360° view of the St. Lawrence River, coastal villages and Appalachian mountains. The perfect spot for a well-deserved break!

> Return via Lac Therrien

After lunch, we headed back to Tourville. Rather than turning back, we opted for trail #615, which led us to Lac Therrien. As we had 2 different types of all-terrain vehicles, two quads and two side-by-sides, we had fun swapping them around to test each other’s peculiarities. For my part, although I really enjoy riding a more classic quad, I was charmed and impressed by the stability and comfort of the side-by-side.

> Aperitif time by the lake

Why not end this perfect day with an aperitif on the shores of Lake Therrien? Although it’s late September, we’re lucky enough to be enjoying glorious summer weather. There’s a rest area with a few picnic tables, making it the perfect spot for an end-of-day chat about the beautiful places we’ve just discovered!

 Day 2 - 115 km of adrenalin and discovery

> Gourmet break in Saint-Pamphile

A new day, a new adventure! We set off on a 115 km loop to Saint-Pamphile, under radiant skies and ideal temperatures. Impossible not to stop at Lac Sainte-Anne, perfect for a contemplative break.

As on the previous day, we swapped cars to test the different driving sensations. On arrival in Saint-Pamphile, we head for Restaurant Chez Réjean, a must-visit that is directly accessible from the trails and renowned for its famous pizza. And here’s a fun fact: those who rode side-by-side – myself included – are sporting dust-blackened faces… laughter guaranteed!

> Photo stop at the Sault covered bridge

Following the local trails of Club VTT Les Défricheurs de L’Islet-Sud, we pass through the villages of Sainte-Félicité and Sainte-Perpétue before stopping at the Sault covered bridge. The forest is magnificent, with the trees beginning to color and the little rivers we cross. For the photographer in me, the beautiful golden light at the end of the day mixed with the autumn colors makes me want to stop everywhere to photograph the beautiful nature. If it were up to me, we’d probably have reached our destination by nightfall!

 Summer quad biking: a must-do experience!

This quad adventure gave me a whole new perspective on the Chaudière-Appalaches region.

Seeing the region differently, off the beaten track, means fully immersing yourself in its wilderness and exceptional panoramas.

Whether you’re an ATV enthusiast, passionate about off-road discoveries or simply curious about exploring in a different way, the Chaudière-Appalaches will surprise you. So, ready to get on your quad and head off on an adventure?

Itinerary :

Day 1: Tourville > Lac Trois-Saumons > Lac Therrien (85 km)
Day 2: Tourville > Saint-Pamphile > Pont couvert du Sault (115 km)

Photos: Stéphanie Allard

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