If you had 3-4 days to ride any part of the Gaspe Peninsula, which parts would you choose and why? My wife and I are looking to make the trip later this winter. We are good for 150-200 mile days and would like to experience the most scenic sections.

8 hours ago, Noreaster said:

If you had 3-4 days to ride any part of the Gaspe Peninsula, which parts would you choose and why? My wife and I are looking to make the trip later this winter. We are good for 150-200 mile days and would like to experience the most scenic sections.

Where are you driving from, and how much time in the truck are you willing to do? "Most Scenic" is of course subjective. However many would agree that the North East part of the Peninsula meets that criteria. If you started in Matane, you could in theory get out to the Perce Rock along the perimeter of the Peninsula, then take the 597 trail back to the top, and back to Matane. I have attached what I feel is "Most Scenic". Good luck.

Edited January 5Jan 5 by wng-2

We are from VT and we are not afraid to drive. I was looking at Matane as a potential starting point.

I was playing with the Imoto app last night. Looks like 5 all the way to Perce, then 597 to 595 back to Matane looks achievable.

Just now, Noreaster said:

We are from VT and we are not afraid to drive. I was looking at Matane as a potential starting point.

I was playing with the Imoto app last night. Looks like 5 all the way to Perce, then 597 to 595 back to Matane looks achievable.

Likely the best option for your goals and the limited time you have. I hope you have good weather and trail conditions.

2 hours ago, Noreaster said:

then 597 to 595 back to Matane looks achievable.

First of all do you want to stop at all the scenic outlooks and enjoy the views or do you just want to ride. That is a very important factor in how far you will get in a day. The scenery from Matane to 597 is the best without a doubt and there are lots of spots to enjoy the views. From Grand Vallee to Perce the trails are great but not nearly as much scenery. The trail from 5 into Perce can be a brutal ride that will leave you wondering if it was worth it. 597 north from 5 south is very scenic. The local trail at Murdockville from 597 to 595 and some of 595 north from La Cache is very scenic if you have a clear day. If its stormin or the trail across to 595 hasn't been groomed since the last good snowfall, I would suggest going back up to 5 and west. Even though you would be riding 5 again, it offers very different views seeing it while travelling from the opposite direction. Lastly, as you know, this is one of the most scenic rides in Eastern Canada. I've been around it 6 times and my first advice would be to take your time and enjoy the scenery even if it means an extra day. That extra day (or 2) can sure add memories and come in very handy if the weather becomes a travel factor and it does that often in Gaspe. Enjoy your trip!

This is the route we’ve done a few times now when doing a NB/Gaspe trip.

With the guys we do it in three days.

In 2022 we did the exact same route taking 5 days as a couples trip. That was a relaxed trip, lf doing with couples could also be a four say trip.

Every day is a scenic ride. Includes majority of the scenic areas other than Perce Rock which l don’t feel is a priority.

This route includes key scenic parts don’t want to miss:

1. 595 N , if you haven’t been it’s important you ride South down 595 into the Chic Choc mountains.when you get down to Mont Albert can turn around and ride back up to trail 5 and continue east

2. North shore between Matane and Mont St Pierre, Lookout over Mont St Pierre

3. Chic Choc trail between Murdochville and LaCache

4. Mont Joesph Look Out straight north of the Carlton Clubhouse over looking Carleton Sur Mer

5. Trail 587S between Pointe e le Croix and Albertville through the Matapedia Valley

Once you decide your launch hotel many of us here could give lodging suggestions.

Edited January 5Jan 5 by Fuse6

My $0.02 worth.

Start in Matane, follow the TQ5 right to Perce. Back track North on the TQ5 to the orange local trail to the 597, north to Murdochville, across the local to La Cache, north on the 595, back to Matane.

This takes you to some of the best viewscapes in that Gaspesie. I leave it to you to breakdown your daily mileage. As said above, this is a trip to take your time and enjoy the sights. More days is always better.

This is all great intel for our first Gaspe trip. Assuming we start in Matane, what are some good lodging recommendations on the way to Perce along 5, 595, and 597?

7 minutes ago, Noreaster said:

This is all great intel for our first Gaspe trip. Assuming we start in Matane, what are some good lodging recommendations on the way to Perce along 5, 595, and 597?

The Delice in Mont St Pierre is a nice spot. The restaurant has been limited in recent years. The other hotel in town has a good restaurant, and is walking distance. Mont St Pierre is the start of some of the nicest scenery. It's a nice place to start the day, particularly if the sun is out. I have stayed at Le Caribou in Riviere au Renard. That is decent with a good restaurant. I will be following to see what others have to say. I don't have experience with much other lodging in the area.

1 hour ago, wng-2 said:

I have stayed at Le Caribou in Riviere au Renard.

If the Quebec on line map is correct, there is no trail to or near Riviere Au Renard. It's too bad. I always liked the food and the view from the Restaurant at the Caribou.

13 minutes ago, PISTON LAKE CRUISER said:

If the Quebec on line map is correct, there is no trail to or near Riviere Au Renard. It's too bad. I always liked the food and the view from the Restaurant at the Caribou.

I saw that. I was hoping that was an early season thing? I haven't seen any other chatter about it....There is fuel there also...

2 hours ago, wng-2 said:

I saw that. I was hoping that was an early season thing? I haven't seen any other chatter about it....There is fuel there also...

2 hours ago, PISTON LAKE CRUISER said:

If the Quebec on line map is correct, there is no trail to or near Riviere Au Renard. It's too bad. I always liked the food and the view from the Restaurant at the Caribou.

Called Auberge Caribou

Zero problem with trail to go there

once again the awesome I motoneige strikes again

27 minutes ago, iceman said:

Called Auberge Caribou

Zero problem with trail to go there

once again the awesome I motoneige strikes again

Thanks very much for that information @iceman !

Like wise I saw that the trail did not go into the Caribou. I am also planning a Gaspé trip for later in the season. Good job Ice, appreciate your effort as always. Fred

There are getting to be a few places that do not show the trail going right in, unfortunate. The locals have a track in and very likely signed but just not on the FCMQ map.

Looks like it is showing this morning. What I am not seeing is the nice convenient fuel stop right on trail 5 just South of town that I remember from 2023 when I was in the area last. Anyone know if the trail will be going by there this year? It was close to a road crossing, as I recall.

3 hours ago, wng-2 said:

Looks like it is showing this morning. What I am not seeing is the nice convenient fuel stop right on trail 5 just South of town that I remember from 2023 when I was in the area last. Anyone know if the trail will be going by there this year? It was close to a road crossing, as I recall.

The only gas station I remember south of there is the one on Trail 5 at the local trail into the town of Gaspe. You ride right through the gas station property.

Ok, perhaps that is what I thinking of. Very convenient.

Some of the lookout signs going through Mount St Pierre are kind of small so watch for them. 👍

Adjust accordingly, as the suggested routes they provided are short in distance & confirm the contact information in the attachment is still accurate.

See the Gaspesie thread in this forum for a link from "Gaspesie Tourism" that outlines suggested routes, distances & POI.

Enjoy

Edited January 19Jan 19 by nyskidooerinnewhampshire

There is gas just up the street from the Caribou and on the TQ5 south of there where it crosses Route 198. I plan to be there next week and will confirm.

Alright, I have hotels booked so we are going. The way I have it reserved, we could run the north shore clockwise or counter clockwise. If weather were equal, which way would you run it for the best scenery?

This may be a moot point if one day is sunny and the other isnt.

Either is fine in my opinion. The weather is the bigger factor. Below are examples of sunny vs. not sunny last week. Less than 24 hours apart...

I don’t think it makes much difference which way you go.

Plan your riding the north shore on hopefully sunny clear day.

Not sure if you are riding the 595 between the north shore and LaCache.

Riding south on the 595 from the north shore the scenery is much better riding south through the Chic Chocs vs riding north direction.

Direction doesn't matter, sunny is preferable....however if a snowstorm is forecast do not hesitate head for the Motel.

5 minutes ago, smclelan said:

Direction doesn't matter, sunny is preferable....however if a snowstorm is forecast do not hesitate head for the Motel.

Yup!!