Dégelis: Cycling Routes, Lake and Discoveries

Cycling routes, forest and Lac Témiscouata shape the opportunities for discovery in Dégelis. On Le Petit Témis, you can experience a section of a 134 km route surfaced with compacted gravel and reserved exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians. Along the lakeshore, wooden trestles and steep rock faces above the trail are among the striking sights. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Dégelis, you can consider whether cycling, hiking, water activities or culture will shape your stay.

Getting Around by Bike and on Foot

Le Petit Témis is Canada’s first interprovincial cycling route. It connects Québec and New Brunswick between Rivière-du-Loup and Edmundston. The route through Dégelis is part of this longer connection and runs alongside Lac Témiscouata. Along the route is Gare l'Héritage, a restored relic of the Témiscouata railway line that now serves as a cycling rest stop. The historic site also recalls that Le Petit Témis was built on the former railway line.

For a different kind of outing, the Sentier des Couleurs offers a walking trail in the heart of Dégelis. Its three loops are designed for different mobility levels; one includes a boardwalk along the Rivière-aux-Perches. The section of the Sentier national au Bas-Saint-Laurent passes through natural landscapes and offers beautiful views of Lac Témiscouata. Mountain bikers will find 10 km of trails for all skill levels at Sentiers Baseley. ATV riders also have access to 90 km of quad trails within Dégelis that are open year-round.

Lake, Green Spaces and Activities

The Dégelis sector of Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata lies on the lakeshore. Canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent there. This lets you choose different focuses for your stay, from cycling and walking to time on the water, without conflating the activities on offer.

Parc des Générations is located along Le Petit Témis. Its amenities include picnic areas, play structures for children and a water-play area. There is also an accessible fitness trail near the former Gare l'Héritage. These specific facilities make the park a destination in its own right for a break or some exercise away from the longer cycling and hiking trails.

History, Gardens and Blueberries

Parc de l'Acadie illustrates the role that water and forests played in the region’s history of colonization and industrialization. It was created in 2014 as part of the Congrès mondial acadien. It complements the railway history surrounding Gare l'Héritage with a look at other defining themes in the region’s past.

In Jardin céleste Polaris, interpretation panels lit in the evening explain the elements of the garden and how a nocturlabium works. Those interested in this kind of engaging explanation will find a different experience here than on the sports trails. At Jardins du Témis, you can pick your own blueberries; fresh blueberries are also available at the plantation kiosk.

Other places to discover include Pohénégamook, Auclair and Témiscouata-Sur-Le-Lac.

For the broader travel overview: Témiscouata.