As summer approaches, the return of cyclists to the Route Verte — Quebec’s provincewide cycling network — is a reminder that the trail is more than just a recreational corridor. In the Pontiac, the PPJ Cycloparc forms part of that network, attracting visitors from across the province and beyond. The local section stretches roughly 92 kilometres from Bristol to
L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, passing through communities including Campbell’s Bay, Shawville and Fort-Coulonge, while showcasing the region’s villages, agricultural landscapes, rivers,
businesses and heritage.
The trail has previously been at the centre of significant debate, particularly over the section between Campbell’s Bay and Fort-Coulonge. Calls from some groups to dedicate more space to all-terrain vehicles raised a broader question: what kind of development does the region want to encourage?
Today, that question remains relevant. Preserving the Route Verte in Pontiac does not mean opposing other outdoor activities. It means recognizing the unique value of a continuous, safe and welcoming cycling network. Cyclists do more than pass through a region. They stop to eat, stay overnight, visit local attractions, explore communities and return again. In doing so, they support a slower, local and more sustainable economy.
That vision extends far beyond Pontiac. Vélo Québec, whose mission is to promote cycling culture, recently launched Le Québec à vélo, an interactive platform designed to help cyclists from Quebec and beyond plan their rides and trips by bringing together cycling routes, gravel roads, services, attractions and accommodations. Cycling tourism already attracts more than 1.2 million people annually in Quebec, generating $803 million in tourism spending, more than 3 million overnight stays and supporting nearly 6,400 jobs.
In that context, Pontiac can no longer see itself as being on the sidelines of the movement. On the contrary, it offers exactly what many cycling tourists are looking for: wide-open spaces, small villages, varied landscapes, a rich history and a pace that encourages visitors to slow down. The Route Verte ties those elements together. Recent efforts to promote cycling tourism in the province should encourage the region to better maintain, better sign and better showcase its section of the trail. The Quebec government has also announced increased funding to support management of the Route Verte and its roughly 200 managers across the province.
Now, it is up to the region to seize the opportunity. Preserving the Route Verte in Pontiac means protecting a shared heritage while investing in a coherent, sustainable and promising tourism future. This summer, every cyclist travelling the trail will serve as a reminder that this route represents more than a pathway — it represents a vision worth preserving.
(Trans. PJ)