If you're ready to ditch the traffic, Montreal has secluded bike paths where the only jams are in your headphones. It’s just you, your bike, and the open road — no red lights, no rush hour, just riding. And with Bixi bikes ready all year, you have access to these peaceful routes whenever the urge strikes.
Here are seven spots where you can pedal away from pavement-pounding crowds:
Parc-nature de l'Île-de-la-Visitation
Where: 2425, boulevard Gouin Est
Reason to visit: This picturesque park in Ahuntsic-Cartierville offers approximately 8.5 km of bike trails winding under colourful bridges, and past scenic viewpoints. Along the way, you can take breaks for a picnic, explore historic sites or simply take in gorgeous views of Rivière des Prairies.
Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies
Where: 14905, rue Sherbrooke Est
Reason to visit: This sprawling 261-hectare park on the eastern tip of the island is one of the largest remaining green spaces in Montreal. It offers well-maintained trails along wetlands, forests and riverbanks, with the longest stretching 8.4 km. It's a perfect getaway for cyclists seeking a peaceful nature-filled escape from the city.
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
Reason to visit: Formula One drivers race on this 4,361-metre Île Notre-Dame track, but you don't have to be a professional racer to use it. It's a unique and fun ride that's open to cyclists until May 18, with great views of the city skyline and the St. Lawrence River. If you need a pit stop, the service area has you covered with toilets and a self-service repair terminal.
Parc-nature du Ruisseau-De Montigny
Where: 7123, boulevard Maurice-Duplessis
Reason to visit: Cyclists can explore 3.3 km of bike trails in this Saint-Léonard park that wind alongside a tranquil stream with several waterfalls. Four small islands in the reserve are home to muskrats and great blue herons, making it an ideal destination for wildlife sightings.
Parc Frédéric-Back
Where: 2235, rue Michel-Jurdant
Reason to visit: This urban cycling spot in Saint-Michel spans over 54 hectares. With winding paths that cut through broad grassy areas, it offers a calm retreat from urban noise. The eight-kilometre bike path is lined with unique sculptures and provides sweeping views of the sky, making it an ideal place to enjoy stunning sunsets.
Parc des Rapides
Where: 7770, boulevard LaSalle
Reason to visit: Spread over 30 hectares in the Sud-Ouest, this park offers prime views of the Lachine Rapids. You can watch the water from several lookout points, plus the rushing water makes for a peaceful soundtrack to your ride. During the summer months, the park is home to a wide variety of bird species, including herons and ducks.
Parc de la Promenade-Bellerive
Where: 8300, rue Bellerive
Reason to visit: This urban park in Mercier-Hochelaga has a 4.5 km bike path along the Saint Lawrence River that's dotted with rest areas, lookouts and excellent picnic spots. The path is located in a quiet part of the neighbourhood, and you can bike there to catch the river shuttle to Île Charron for even more natural space.
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