Parc Lineaire Interprovincial Le Petit Temis

An Interprovincial Linear Park linking New Brunswick and Quebec Canada

Quebec Hiking and Cycling Adventures on Le Petit Temis

The Parc Lineaire Interprovincial le Petit Témis is a 134 km cycling, hiking, and snowmobiling trail that follows an old CN railway line from Edmundston, NB to Rivière-du-Loup, QC. This immaculately maintained interprovincial rail trail is open year-around to walkers, hikers, cyclists, mountain bikers, inline skaters, those using mobility assistance devices, and snowmobilers. Furthermore, it features epic scenery, taking outdoor enthusiasts through peaceful fields, pastures, and landscapes dominated by rolling hills, forests, marshes, and pristine lakes. Charming villages along its length provide ideal spots to stop for lunch or find accommodations for the night. For these reasons and more Le Petit Temis has been voted one of the top trails for winter adventures and one of the best velo routes in Quebec.

Trail Amenities

Le Petit Témis is extremely well marked and there is frequent signage along the entire route indicating distances to nearby communities and the amenities they offer. There are also rest stops every 5-6 km along the trail, which offer picnic tables, benches, garbage cans, and pit toilets. In addition, in many cases the rest stops also offer fantastic views, inviting trail users to relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery. The communities of Rivière-du-Loup (km 0), Saint-Honoré ( km 43), Saint-Louis-de-Ha!Ha! (km 61), Cabano (km 70), Notre-Dame-du-Lac (km 82), Dégelis (km 98), and Edmundston (km 134) offer places to stay, camp, and eat. Furthermore, there are five rustic camping locations along the trail with tent platforms, pit toilets, and access to fresh water which can be reserved for a small fee. Converted rail stations along the length of the trail offer a glimpse into the history of the region, the railway, and the trail itself and many house museums, cafés, or gift shops that are open during the summer months.

Nature

Much of Le Petit Témis traverses heavily forested landscapes with many lakes, ponds, wetlands, rivers, and small streams. The sound of wind in the trees is mixed with bird song and the laughing of small waterfalls. This tranquil, natural environment is home to over 40 species of mammals, 20 species of fish, and over 150 bird species. Even though the snow lay deep on the trail, and temperatures hovered around -10°C when we walked this trail, we still managed to spot a white-tailed deer in the trees ahead of us. Whether you're out for day hike, on a long-distance bike ride, are an avid bird watcher, or someone who simply wants to relax, unwind, and reconnect with nature, this trail has something to offer.

Route Description

Le Petit Temis is a converted rail trail, meaning the grade of the gravel and asphalt path never exceeds 4%, even as it traverses hilly, forested, and remote feeling landscapes which immerse hikers and cyclists in nature. Heading west out of Edmundston, NB the trail follows the contours of the wide, deep Madawaska River. The 28 km section between Dégelis and Cabano is popular with hikers and cyclists alike, because the trail skirts the picturesque Lake Témiscouata, offering fantastic scenery and opportunities to enjoy a swim on a hot summer's day. As trail users approach Rivière-du-Loup, on the shores of the Saint Lawrence River, the landscape becomes more open with fields, pastures, and wetland providing a pastoral backdrop.

Part of a Network

When Le Petit Témis opened in 1998 it became the first interprovincial cycling trail in Canada. It is now part of the Trans Canada Trail, a 28,000 km long network of trails and paddling routes that crosses Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic Oceans. Le Petit Témis is also part of the longest network of cycling trails in North America - the famous 5,300 km Route Verte. As a result, its connections with other extensive trail systems offer hikers, cyclists, and snowmobilers amazing flexibility when designing custom itineraries of varying length and difficulty. In fact, we walked the length of Le Petit Temis as part of our cross-Canada on the Trans Canada Trail.

When to Go

The trail is open for hiking and cycling from May 1st to the end of October. Services along the trail such as pit toilets, bicycle repair stations, tourism offices, cafes, and gift shops in converted railway stations, and some campgrounds and accommodations are only open from mid-June to the end of October. In winter the trail is open exclusively for snowmobiles.

Access Points

The trail can be accessed from multiple points along its length. Free parking is available at the Petit Témis rest stop on rue Fraserville in Rivière-du-Loup, the Station Saint-Honoré rest stop in Saint-Honoré, the Station Saint-Louis-du-Ha!Ha! rest stop on rue Raymond, in Saint-Louis-du-Ha!Ha!, the Cabano train station rest stop, 5 rue de la Gare in Cabano, the ferry rest stop on rue Dollard-Ménard in Notre-Dame-du-Lac, the Halte de la Gare in the Heritage Park on rue 6e in Dégelis, and at the Edmundston Tourism Office at 121 Victoria St in Edmundston, New Brunswick.