Best Gravel Routes in the Laurentians: The RST Team Guide

The Laurentians have long been synonymous with mountain biking and downhill riding. But over the past few years, the region's country roads, forest paths, and packed gravel trails have been drawing a different kind of rider: the gravel cyclist. And for good reason. Between the Pays-d'en-Haut and the Mont-Tremblant area, the network of quiet roads, punchy climbs, and lake views ranks among the best in Quebec.

At RST in Prévost, we've been riding these roads for years. We know them by the flats we've fixed, the climbs that hurt, and the beers we've earned at the finish. Here's our pick of the best gravel routes in the Laurentians, organized by rider profile.

Why the Laurentians for Gravel?

The terrain works in your favour right from the start. The region packs several surface types into a short distance: quiet secondary asphalt, packed limestone dust, gravel country roads, and forest paths. The back roads of the Pays-d'en-Haut see little traffic outside peak weekends, making for a very different experience than riding along a main highway.

The terrain is ideal too. The Laurentians aren't the Rockies, but the false flats and short, repeated climbs make you work. On a gravel bike, you'll feel the difference between a ride with 600 metres of elevation gain and one with 1,200 metres, even if the distances are similar. The gravel descents — wide and unhurried — are exactly what 40 mm tires were made for.

The Corridor Aérobique — Beginner to Intermediate

Start: Morin-Heights  |  Distance: 58 km one way  |  Elevation: moderate, avg ~5% grade  |  Surface: packed gravel, some paved sections

The Corridor Aérobique is many cyclists' first introduction to gravel riding in the Laurentians. The trail runs 58 km from Morin-Heights down to Saint-Rémi-d'Amherst, passing through villages like Ivry-sur-le-Lac and Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard. For beginners, it's a clean experience: well-marked, consistent surface, accessible on 35 mm tires.

For those looking for a little more, the Sentier des Orphelins is just past Montfort — a 5.3 km out-and-back with more technical sections and grades hitting 6–7%. No need for aggressive knobs, but moderate tread helps.

The real advantage: you can ride directly from Prévost to Morin-Heights via the P'tit Train du Nord trail, turning the whole thing into an 80–100 km loop depending on where you start.

Pays-d'en-Haut Circuits — Intermediate

Start: Saint-Sauveur, Piedmont, or Saint-Hippolyte  |  Distance: 28 to 65 km depending on the loop  |  Elevation: 400 to 900 m  |  Surface: paved and gravel country roads, secondary paths

Plein air Pays-d'en-Haut has mapped several gravel circuits throughout the MRC, and it's probably the most underrated network in the region. Les Raidillons (28.5 km) is perfect for a punchy two-hour ride. Les Hauteurs (51.7 km) offers more kilometres on quieter roads with open ridge views. For a full day out, Les Huit villages (65 km) takes you through the Pays-d'en-Haut municipalities on country roads, well away from Route 117.

This network is ideal for cyclists who want to roll out from Prévost or Saint-Sauveur without loading the bike in a car. Most circuits connect directly from the P'tit Train trail.

The Arundel – Boileau – Harrington Loop — Intermediate to Advanced

Start: Corridor Aérobique parking in Arundel  |  Distance: ~60 km  |  Elevation: ~800 m  |  Surface: mostly unpaved — gravel roads, country paths, dirt sections

This is one of the rides we love recommending to cyclists who already have some gravel kilometres in their legs and want to see something beyond maintained trails. The loop starts in Arundel, climbs toward Boileau, cuts through Rivington, and returns via Harrington along the Rivière-Rouge on the final stretch.

A few things to keep in mind: no convenience store midway, the false flat catches you in the first few kilometres, and some road sections can be muddy after rain. Bring two bottles, a backup bar, and a full repair kit. This is not the place to discover your spare tube has never been tested.

The scenery is worth the effort. The section along the Rivière-Rouge at the end of the loop is one of the most beautiful in the Pays-d'en-Haut.

Around Mont-Tremblant — Advanced

Start: Lac-Supérieur or Labelle  |  Distance: 70 to 110 km  |  Elevation: 620 to 1,170 m  |  Surface: gravel mix, forest roads, sections near the park boundary

For gravel riders looking for something closer to bikepacking, the routes around Mont-Tremblant and toward Labelle step into a different category. Gravelle Laurentides has mapped several itineraries in this area, including La P'tite Ourse (71 km, 621 m gain) and La P'tite Boréale (106 km, 1,168 m gain).

These roads pass through forest terrain with few landmarks. A GPS with the route pre-loaded is mandatory. For La P'tite Boréale especially, plan a full day and make sure your bike is in order before you leave. This is not the place to head out with questionable chain tension.

Before You Go: What to Check

Whatever the route, gravel is less forgiving than a smooth bike path if your bike isn't ready. What the RST team checks before every ride:

Tire pressure. On packed gravel, we typically run 35–45 PSI. Too high and you feel everything; too low and you risk a pinch flat in a corner. Find the right window for your specific tires and weight.

Chain tension and wear. A stretched chain skipping on rough terrain is a ride that ends badly. If you're not sure when your chain was last checked, come see us before you head out.

Brakes. Gravel descents demand precise, modulated braking. Worn pads plus wet gravel is a combination that doesn't forgive.

Repair kit. Inner tube or tubeless kit depending on your setup, tire levers, mini pump. On backcountry loops, the next bike shop could be 30 km away.

If your bike sat through the winter without a tune-up and you're heading out on Arundel-Boileau, bring it in first. We have a shop open all week in Prévost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What gravel bike for a beginner in the Laurentians?
An entry- to mid-range gravel bike with 40 mm tires covers the Corridor Aérobique and the Pays-d'en-Haut circuits easily. For the Arundel loops or routes toward Mont-Tremblant, a more robust bike with slightly more aggressive tread will be more comfortable. Come see us and we'll match something to your budget and the roads you want to ride.

Can you do these routes on a road bike?
The Corridor Aérobique on 28–32 mm tires, yes, with care. The country roads of the Pays-d'en-Haut and the backcountry loops are not recommended. The surfaces vary too much and the rougher gravel sections are tough on narrow tires.

Are there gravel rides accessible directly from Prévost?
Yes. Leaving from our shop on the P'tit Train trail, you can reach the Pays-d'en-Haut circuits via secondary roads in under 15 minutes by bike. That's one of the advantages of being located exactly where the riding happens.

What time of year can you ride gravel in the Laurentians?
May through October for most routes. Spring (May–June) is ideal for paved roads, but some country roads stay muddy into June. July–August is peak gravel season. September–October brings the fall colours and often the best conditions of the year.

Whether you're planning your first gravel ride or your hundredth kilometre in the Laurentians, come see us in Prévost. We have the bikes, the parts, and the advice to go with it. Check out our gravel bike selection or stop by the shop.

If you're also looking to complement your riding with some trail MTB, check out our guide to the best bike trails in the Laurentians.