193 km of scenic route!

The Summit Drive

19 summits for the adventurer in you

What is The Summit Drive?

Located in the heart of the Eastern Townships, in the Mégantic region, the Région des Sources and Haut-Saint-François, The Summit Drive invites you to explore more than twenty mountains, including 19 summits accessible by hiking, cycling, motorcycle, car or van. A true must-see tourism route in the Eastern Townships, this scenic drive is made for anyone seeking adventure, heritage and the great outdoors.

Crossing the Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve, The Summit Drive gives you privileged access to lakes, rivers, meadows, walking trails and mountains that you can discover at your own pace. Specially designed scenic stops offer spectacular viewpoints by day and by night, with picnic areas, tourism interpretation panels, landscape reading tools and spaces dedicated to astrotourism, including inclined benches for stargazing.

On 11 of the 19 summits, you can capture your achievement with a photo in front of the official “Rencontre au Sommet” (“Meet at the Summit”) signs, an iconic experience along The Summit Drive.

Summits

The Sentinel

Scotch Cap

A witness to 12,500 years of history, Scotch Cap watches over the Trois-Lacs valley.
Adrenaline

Mont Saint-Cécile

A mountain biking and ski touring destination for adrenaline seekers.
The Spiritual

Mont Saint-Joseph

Ranked among the three most beautiful panoramas in Québec, with a century-old chapel waiting at the summit.
The Breathtaking

Montagne de Franceville

Made up of magmatic rock, the sentier des Cimes takes you along the ridges of the massif du mont Mégantic.
The Cliff

Montagne de Marbre

An incredible hiking destination, likely one of the most beautiful in the region. Little known, but well worth discovering.
The Ancient

Mont-Bélanger

One foot in Canada, the other in the United States! Rising to 960 metres, this summit offers more than 25 km of marked trails.
The Panorama

Cap Frontière

At 1,154 m, Cap Frontière reveals a breathtaking panorama hidden from view from the observation tower atop Mont Gosford.
The Sacred Summit

Montagne de la Croix

This mountain offers a new perspective on the town of Lac-Mégantic.
The Magnetic Mountain

Montagne des lignes

Known for its optical illusion, this mountain has a lookout waiting at the summit, just metres from the US border.
Brise-culotte

Mont Salmon

Faisant partie du massif du Brise‑Culotte, cette montagne difficile d’accès s’adresse aux randonneurs expérimentés en quête d’une véritable immersion en nature.
Brise-culotte

Mont Trumbell

Faisant partie du massif du Brise‑Culotte, cette montagne difficile d’accès s’adresse aux randonneurs expérimentés en quête d’une véritable immersion en nature.
The Historic

Mont Victoria

Mont Victoria is part of the Mont-Mégantic massif, alongside Mont-Mégantic and Mont Saint-Joseph.
The waterside

Massif de Winslow

A trail for experienced hikers winding through fir and hardwood forests.
The Colossus

Mont-Gosford

At 1,193 metres, it towers over southern Québec with its subarctic climate.
The Abenaki

Mont-Ham

Mont-Ham, a twin-peaked mountain rising to 713 m, offering exceptional 360° panoramic views.
The Hidden Summit

Mont Saddle

A well-kept secret! Crossed by the Canada-US border, this mountain is only accessible via Montagne de Marbre.
The Granite Giant

Morne de Saint-Sébastien

A 350-million-year-old granite giant shaped by the region’s stone-quarrying history.
The Contemplative Trail

Pain de sucre

Offering a plunging view into the heart of the massif, the sentier des Escarpements will delight young and seasoned hikers alike, in every season.
Brise-culotte

Mont durban

Faisant partie du massif du Brise‑Culotte, cette montagne difficile d’accès s’adresse aux randonneurs expérimentés en quête d’une véritable immersion en nature.
The Border Summit

Pic Frontière

Pic Frontière offers a view over a sea of mountains spanning Maine and New Hampshire.
The Scientific

Mont-Mégantic

Crowned by an observatory founded in 1978, Mont-Mégantic takes you into the heart of its International Dark Sky Reserve.

Roadside and panoramic stops

Hautes-Appalaches Observation Tower in Frontenac

On the alternate route, climb the 10 m tower for a spectacular view of Lake Mégantic, Piopolis and the Appalachians.

Halte Joseph-Alfred Fontaine in Woburn

Enjoy the scenery, play with the sundial, and guess the names of the surrounding mountains stretching to the horizon.

Parc des Aînés Stop in Ham-Sud

A rest area for everyone, with heritage panels, playground equipment, an iconic steeple and beautiful natural surroundings.

Halte de Saint-Sébastien

The Saint-Sébastien village stop offers a beautiful picnic area.

Panoramic Stop in Lambton

Located in the heart of the village, this stop offers a spectacular view of Grand Lac Saint-François.

Halte des Zouaves in Piopolis

A tourist, heritage and artistic stop, Halte des Zouaves offers a rest area right in the heart of Piopolis village.

Panoramic Stop in Lac-Mégantic

Views of the lake and Mont Mégantic, a reclining bench for stargazing, and a gourmet cheese shop right across the street.

Village Stop in Val-Racine

By bike or on foot along the Mini Compostelle or the Sentier des Pionniers, take a break in Val-Racine.

Halte in Saint-Robert-Bellarmin

Last stop before Mont Bélanger: a reclining bench in the heart of the village and a grocery-diner to stock up on supplies.

Recreation Centre Stop in Marston

Picnic area, children's playground and the trailhead for Un lac au sommet, everything you need for a fun stop!

Sculpture La Porte des Étoiles in Nantes

Marking the territory of the Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve, this monumental work by Matthieu Binette is called La Porte des Étoiles.

Halte in Stratford (Parc du Lac-Aylmer)

Located on the shores of Lake Aylmer, this stop gives access to a hiking trail and observation tower in a protected marsh.

Halte Éva-Senécal in La Patrie

Gateway to The Summit Drive, a stunning stop with a shed dedicated to poet Éva Senécal and a unique panorama.

Dam Stop in Weedon (St-Gérard)

Perfect for a picnic, exploring the shed and Weedon's history, and stargazing to the sound of the dam.

Panoramic Stop in Lac-Drolet (Parc du Lac)

A stop overlooking Lac Drolet before exploring Maison du Granit or hiking to Morne de Saint-Sébastien.

Halte in Audet

Trailhead for the Sentier les mots d'enfant hiking trail.

Halte des Sommets Étoilés in Saint-Romain

Take a break under the gazebo, or in the evening, settle onto the reclining bench and gaze at the starry sky.

Halte Plein la Vue in Notre-Dame-des-Bois

Admire the view, discover Klaus Scherubel's artwork or spot the Big Dipper, this panoramic stop is well worth it!

Halte de Stornoway

A relay village at the crossroads of Routes 161 and 108, charming visitors with its heritage, church and stargazing stop.

Halte Desjardins in Saint-Adrien

Great for a picnic or a cycling break, take the opportunity to visit the picturesque village of Saint-Adrien.

Trails

Sentier du Pic et de la Grue – Maison du Granit in Lac-Drolet

Exceptional views at Maison du Granit: mountains, lakes, wind turbines and villages, then hike the Sentier du Pic et de la Grue.

Municipal Park Trail in Stornoway

Enjoy this lush nature trail with your dog along the Felton River. You can even picnic and fish along the way!

Sentier les mots d'enfant in Audet

Over 4 km, be guided by drawings and words created by Audet schoolchildren during the 2015–2016 school year.

Gold Mine Interpretation Centre in Chartierville

A 3.5 km marked trail leads via a suspension bridge to a former decommissioned gold mine.

Grand Lac-Saint-François Loop

An 83 km loop starting from Parc national de Frontenac, with the option to split the adventure into 3 segments of 18, 21 and 44 km.

Sentiers du Clocher in Piopolis

Five trails totalling 3 km wind through marshland, forest cover and views over Lake Mégantic.

Sentier de la rivière Felton – ZEC de Saint-Romain

A 3 km trail along the Felton River, between pristine nature and rich aquatic habitats. Perfect for exceptional fishing.

Lac Mégantic to Mont Mégantic Loop

Set in a charming wooded area, this 400 m trail is accessible from the municipal playground.

Marais Maskinongé at Parc du Lac Aylmer in Stratford

Explore the Maskinongé Marsh along 1.6 km of trails, boardwalks and an observation tower in a rich, protected ecosystem.

Boucle du Lac au Mont Mégantic

Starting from Piopolis, this 76 km circuit will test your legs — but the view from the summit of Mont Mégantic is worth every pedal stroke!

Parc de la Rivière Chaudière in Lac-Mégantic

Cycling path and footpath: explore the Chaudière River, its banks and wetlands with a unique ecological status.

Lac Aylmer Cycling Route

A 42 km loop starting at Parc du Lac-Aylmer in Stratford.

The Gravel Summits Route

A 271 km loop through gravel roads, deep forests, peaceful lakes, farmland valleys and mountains.

Lac-Mégantic City Bike Path

From Baie-des-Sables to Parc de la Rivière Chaudière, this 10 km linear route leads right into the heart of the Cittaslow city!

Sentier Un lac au Sommet in Marston

Escape on 8 km of mixed forest, river and post-glacial lake, complete with a red footbridge and lookout point!

Station touristique Baie-des-Sables in Lac-Mégantic

4 seasons of activities: hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing. A stop at the beach is a must!

Parc du Vieux Moulin and Fresque de Weedon

Discover the foundations of the village's first mills along beautifully maintained trails beside a stream.

Grand Tour du Lac Mégantic

A 54 km loop — take the time to pause at one of the panoramic roadside stops around the lake.

Boucle du Marécage

A 54 km route along the Franceville sector of Parc national du Mont Mégantic and Parc régional du Marécage-des-Scots.

Mini Compostelle Mégantic

Multi-day hiking options ranging from 2 to 8 days, between stunning panoramas and exceptional starry skies.

Explore the Summit Drive at your own pace

The Summit Drive, Dog-Friendly Version

3 days, 2 nights, 193 km of mountain scenery, lakes and village charm, all with your faithful companion.

The Summit Drive Challenge

Hike 6 mountains along The Summit Drive and take a photo of yourself at the summit with a distinctive landmark, such as a “Rencontre au Sommet” sign, observation tower or landscape interpretation panel. Complete your registration by clicking “I’m in!” and get a chance to win your next stay in the region!

The Summit Drive Guide

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