A day exploring urban trails, mountains, and wilderness
In Rimouski, mountain biking lets you travel from the heart of the city to the backcountry in just a few pedal strokes and a few kilometers.
You can start the day on accessible trails near downtown, continue on the slopes of Mont-Comi, and finish amidst the lakes and forests of the Duchénier Wildlife Reserve. Each location offers a different experience, but all share the same pleasure: riding outdoors, pushing your limits, and seeing the landscape unfold from a new perspective.
Here’s a suggested itinerary to discover three mountain biking spots in and around Rimouski.
Start the day at Beauséjour Park
The day begins at Beauséjour Park, just minutes from downtown.
From the very first pedal strokes, the urban environment fades away. The trails wind through the forest and along the Rimouski River, offering an escape that quickly makes you feel like you’ve left the city behind.
The mountain biking network includes trails of varying difficulty levels, as well as a skills course where riders can learn the basics or hone their skills. The area boasts approximately 12 kilometers of trails for both beginners and advanced cyclists.
Taming the Trails in the Heart of Rimouski
Beauséjour Park is an excellent starting point for families, visitors, and cyclists looking to get started.
The L’Éboulis and Le Draveur trails, accessible from the park, run along both sides of the river. Footbridges connect them, allowing you to explore the area in a loop. These trails are shared with hikers, so you must adjust your speed and be mindful of other users.
After a few runs on the skills course, you can choose a trail that matches your skill level. The turns, roots, and gentle variations in terrain allow you to gradually find your rhythm.
An adventure close to all amenities
The great advantage of Beauséjour Park is its location. You can ride for part of the morning and then easily reach the restaurants, cafes, and shops in town.
It’s also a perfect place to bring together a family or a group whose members don’t all have the same experience. Those less familiar with mountain biking can start slowly, while experienced riders can tackle more technical trails.
Reaching new heights at Mont-Comi Park
After this first outing, head to the Mont-Comi Trails for a more challenging experience.
Approximately 30 kilometers from Rimouski, the mountain reaches a height of 575 meters and offers a maximum elevation gain of 306 meters. Its network includes nearly 25 kilometers of singletrack trails and forest roads. You can enjoy downhill, enduro, and cross-country riding here.
Here, the terrain is the star of the show. You climb through the forest, catch your breath, then descend again on trails that alternate between curves, roots, and smoother sections.
Choose a trail suited to your skill level
Mont-Comi isn’t just for experienced cyclists. Two green trails allow families and those new to the sport to gradually learn to ride independently uphill and downhill. However, some trails in the downhill area remain very technical and are best suited to more experienced riders.
Before heading out, it’s best to consult the trail map, check the difficulty level, and choose a realistic route. The color of a trail isn’t always enough to predict all the terrain’s characteristics, especially after rain.
Climb at your own pace or take advantage of the lift
The Mont-Comi Trails offer a self-guided climb, subject to current access fees. The park also offers mountain biking with a lift during certain periods of the summer season, when conditions permit. As schedules may vary, it is recommended to consult the official information before heading out.
At the summit, take a few minutes before the descent. The panoramic view of the Lower St. Lawrence forests reminds you that mountain biking isn’t just about speed. It also allows you to reach viewpoints that make you want to stay still for a while.
Venture into the Duchénier Wildlife Reserve
To conclude this excursion, we move further away from the city and enter a vast territory of lakes, forests, and wildlife.
Managed by Terfa, the Duchénier Wildlife Reserve offers a more immersive cycling experience, closer to exploring nature. The area is particularly popular for hiking, canoeing, and wildlife observation and biking, with rentals available on-site depending on availability. There is a fee for accessing the site.
The experience is quite different from that of a center built around downhill trails. You ride to explore the territory, reach a body of water, enjoy the peace and quiet, or extend your day in the backcountry.
Preparing your trip
An excursion in the reserve is a true backcountry adventure! Before setting off, find out which areas are open to biking, access rights, trail conditions, and available services.
- Bring the following:
- enough water and food;
- an offline or paper map;
- a repair kit;
- an inner tube or tire plugs;
- a small first-aid kit;
- clothing suitable for changing temperatures;
- a means of communication, keeping in mind that cell service may be limited.
The Duchénier Wildlife Reserve also offers the opportunity to stay in nature. For cyclists looking to extend their experience, cabins, yurts, ready-to-camp options, and campsites can transform their outing into a multi-day getaway.
Three experiences, one territory to explore
Mountain biking around Rimouski reveals three complementary facets of the region.
At Beauséjour Park, you can ride close to downtown, between the forest and the river. At Mont-Comi, you can gain altitude and choose between cross-country, enduro, and downhill. In the Duchénier Wildlife Reserve, you can leave the more frequented trails behind and rediscover wide-open spaces.
Whether you’re a beginner, a curious family, or an experienced cyclist, everyone can create an outing that suits their abilities and desires.
All you have to do is check the conditions, choose your route, and bring your bike. The Rimouski forest will take care of the rest.