blog.navut.com http://blog.navut.com/exploring-best-bike-paths-montreal-offer/

Exploring some of the best bike paths Montreal has to offer

Woman cycling in the old port

Summer in Montreal is when the city truly comes alive. Whether it’s to the lush parks for an impromptu picnic, the invitingterrasses for drinks after work, the vibrant festivals lighting up the streets or even just to brighten their daily commute,Montrealers new and longtime alike are always itching to get outside and enjoy the sights of the season. One of the mostcost-efficient and enjoyable ways to do just that is to cycle, and with Montreal boasting 650 kilometers of bike paths,there’s virtually no destination that’s off limits. So get on your ride, or rent one from one of the city’s 400 Bixi stations andenjoy one of these top biking spots!

The Lachine Canal

The Canal Lachine bike path in Montreal

As the name suggests, this path which opened in 1977 flows the historic Lachine Canal all the way from The Old Port ofMontreal near Berri street, to the borough of Lachine, some 15 kilometers away. This journey will not only take you alongbeautiful waterside vistas, but you can stop at your leisure at some of the city’s best attractions. After you’ve explored themuseums, street shows, art galleries and shoreline views of the St-Lawrence in Old Montreal, pedal your way past theLachine Lock (a great spot for tourist information) towards the winding routes through Griffintown and St-Henri. There, ifyou’re feeling adventurous, maybe you’ll want to rent a kayak to get a closer look of the Canal, or again simply stop on oneof the grassy shores for a peaceful break under the trees. Be sure not to miss the fresh offerings of the Atwater marketwith its distinguished clocktower on your way, and then follow your pace to the ends of the path through Verdun andLasalle where you can see some of Montreal’s historic factory fronts and the small falls at the St-Paul Lock. Aside frombeing one of the most useful bike arteries in the city for locals to commute as it spans the south side of the entiredowntown core, it is one of the most scenic on the island. Definitely a must-ride!

Rachel Street

Cyclists on the Rachel Street bike path

As one of the longer East-West cycling spans, the Rachel Street bike path is an incredibly useful entry point to all thePlateau and Rosemont neighborhoods have to offer. This path begins near Jeanne-Mance Park, an expansive greenspace famous for its outdoor sports enthusiasts, whether it concerns volleyball, soccer, tennis or the frequent toss of afrisbee during a picnic. You can also access Mount Royal from there, should you be interested in an easy hike immersedin nature, with gorgeous panoramas of the city at its top. The Rachel bike path then takes you Westward, through theheart of the Plateau, passing such main arteries as St-Laurent and St-Denis streets with their famous restaurants, barsand night scene. You will also encounter Little Portugal with its delicious eateries and sky-scraping churches. Further on,perhaps you’ll want to deviate onto famous Lafontaine Park’s bike path alongside the sparkling lake, sprawling greens andcontented masses of locals enjoying the weather or taking part in a jog. Continuing onwards, you’ll soon find yourself inthe up and coming Rosemont neighborhood with its interesting shops, artsy vibe and historic building facades. If all of thiswasn’t enough for even the most enthusiastic of cyclists, Rachel takes your journey all the way to the Olympic Stadium,Montreal’s most hotly disputed (yet undeniably impressive) architectural oddity. No matter what direction you’re travelingon Rachel, there are innumerable things to see and do in the cultural heart of the Montreal, and they are all bestaccomplished on a bike.

Parc Jean Drapeau and St Helen’s Island

Cyclists riding alongside the St Lawrence at Jean-Drapeau Park

Created in the 1960’s thanks to the tonnes of leftover dirt from the metro line excavations, St Helen’s Island in the middleof the St-Lawrence is packed with some of Montreal’s most sought-after attractions, most notably Jean Drapeau Park.Famous for its festivals, beaches, rampant green space, casino, and amusement park, Parc Jean Drapeau also featuresone of the best bike paths around, perfect for a day trip with friends or family. If you’re feeling the need for speed, pedalyour way onto the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, open to cyclists when not in use for the world-renowned Grand Prix. Thisfamous loop deviates at many points onto a bike path which in turn, circles the entire island. Accessible from Parc JeanDrapeau metro station, (be mindful of the hours at which bicycles are allowed on the trains while planning your trip) thispath offers the best views of Montreal, and unparalleled access to all the sights on the island. Whether you’re looking tovisit these attractions or simply to enjoy a day of cycling on arguably the most underrated scenic spot on the St-Lawrence,the Park Jean-Drapeau bike path is absolutely not to be missed.

To find out more about Montreal’s great, cycling-friendly neighborhoods, check out Navut’s MontrealNeighborhood Profiles!

(Photos by: Daniel Seguin, Allen McInnis and Gilles Proulx)