I like this Eastern Townships Road Trip due to the variety it offers, although over the years I have driven (and cycled) other routes. The Eastern Townships are an easy drive from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City, which makes them extremely popular with visitors.
Because the many varied attractions are scattered across the region, a road trip is the perfect way to explore.
Magog
Quebec’s Eastern Townships is a big area, and I usually stay in Magog as it is a good base when visiting the area. Located on Lake Memphremagog, this bustling town has numerous restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds. The lake also has a monster, or so I have been told by some residents.
There are lots of outdoor activities available, right in the town. You can walk or cycle along the lakeshore to Marais de la Riviere Aux Cerises, a park a few kilometers away. Other bike trails head toward Ayer’s Cliff and North Hatley.
Meanwhile, a short drive takes you to Mont Orford National Park with numerous hiking trails for all levels, boating, camping, and winter skiing. La Route Verte, part of the 5,300 network of cycling routes, goes right through the park.
Knowlton
For this Eastern Townships road trip, I headed west on Autoroute 10 with 3 friends. I then exited on Hwy 243 heading south, first stopping at the tourist office and then driving past Lac Brome to Knowlton, one of the small villages that dot the region.
As it was raining, we decided to visit Musee Lac Brome in town. The museum is a series of 5 to 6 buildings, with one about the Home Child Program, a log cabin with a birch bark canoe, another building with a full-size Fokker plane from WWI, a children’s building, and more, with plenty of artifacts. At least it stopped raining by the time we finished.
This quaint village features a series of mannequins scattered along the two major streets, each one a bit whimsical. While not a long walk, it was an interesting one. There is also a small pond and a dam in the middle, located next to the visitor parking lot.
I had never heard of Three Pines. While the show is set in a fictional town, it is believed that Three Pines is based on author Louise Penny’s hometown, Knowlton.
There are plenty of restaurants in Knowlton, and we would return for lunch after our wine tasting.
Leon Courville Winery
The wine route (route des vins), which can be a part of your Eastern Townships Road Trip, features numerous options.
A friend picked Leon Courville Winery due to the amazing views from its hilltop location of the beautiful countryside with Brome Lake in the distance from the terrace. Even though it was still morning, a wine tasting was in the cards, as was a visit to their shop.
Circuit Les Têtes Fromagères
The Circuit Les Têtes Fromagères in the Cantons-de-L’Est features 14 cheesemakers on or near the route we took. My plan was to visit several, but we only made it to Saint-Benoit-du-Lac.
The tourist office had also recommended a few cheesemakers in the area that were not part of the official route map. The road east to Saint-Benoit-du-Lac was hilly and slow driving, but very scenic.
Saint-Benoit-du-Lake
We could see Saint-Benoit-du-Lake across the lake from Magog, so it was at the top of our list. On arrival, we headed for the huge parking lot, which was very crowded.
The abbey is a very impressive and large building, and off we went exploring. Afterwards, it was to the large gift shop for some Monastery cheese made by the 30 monks. The shop also has gift items, jam, and more.
Coaticook
We continued further east to Coaticook, about 38 km from Magog. The first stop was at the very busy Laiterie de Coaticook Ltée, one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in Quebec. We offer various products made from milk and cream: ice cream, ice milk, ice cream log, and cheese. We didn’t visit our museum of milk, which is also located there.
Dinner was at Château Acropole in Coaticook.
Then it is just down the street to see the Coaticook Gorge. Parc De La Gorge De Coaticook features the longest suspended footbridge in North America, plus Foresta Lumina, with hiking, mountain biking, and 4 loops totaling 19 km of trails.
Some of my friends had come in the afternoon to walk the suspension bridge and hike the trails along the river.
I arrived in the evening for Foresta Lumina, the immersive journey. You walk the nightlite trails (some very steep), see amazing displays, and also walk the suspension bridge. The suspension bridge and river are also lit. 3D figures were particularly good with a fairy theme.
It was sold out during our visit, and with the advance tickets, we waited for our time slot to enter. They let groups of 72 people in the park every 10 minutes, so book your slot. Washrooms at the start and halfway through. The park is open year-round and takes about 90 minutes for the Foresta Lumina, although you walk through at your own pace.
Eastern Township Road Trip Resources
- Tourism Eastern Townships – awesome website with additional road trip ideas. Also, more information on attractions, cycling routes, hiking trails, and special events.
- Booking.com – accommodation in Magog fills up quickly, so be sure to book your hotel, motel, or B&B in advance.
- Expedia.com – more accommodation options
- Auberge Jeunesse Magog-Orford Hostel – located right in the heart of town, and includes a very basic breakfast. Parking is available behind the hostel.
- Discover Cars – if you require a rental vehicle for your road trip
- A list of 35 road trip essentials for your journey
Looking for Information on Other Quebec Destinations
- You may also include during your Eastern Townships Road Trip a visit to the Sherbrooke Murals, a nice walking visit
- A little further, near Quebec City, you can cycle or drive around Ile d’Orleans with its traditional homes and local food products
- Best things to do in Old Quebec City
- Continue your Quebec Road Trip to Tadoussac for a very popular whale watching tour
- Scenic drives include some in Quebec and others in Canada, perfect for planning a road trip.
Final Thoughts:
The Eastern Townships of Quebec offer scenic drives to visit cheesemakers, wineries, museums, and attractions such as the Coaticook Gorge. For outdoor adventures, there are great hiking trails, numerous cycling trails, and winter skiing, and the region is worth a visit.
