Day 42: Parliament Hill to Camping Municipal Brownsburg-Chatham
traversière
The road that runs in front of Parliament Hill is Wellington Street. Looking at the front of Parliament Hill, you want to head left, (west) on Wellington Street and cross the Ottawa River into Gatineau on Portage Bridge North.
Today you will leave Ottawa and head towards Montréal along the Ottawa River. The Ottawa River Valley is flat and fertile, making for enjoyable cycling. Expect there to be many “traversière” (ferry) crossings as you bike down the north side of this famous river. Crossings usually occur regularly, 24 hours a day, and cost a few dollars for cyclists. Always wait for vehicle traffic to exit until you bike up the road away from the ferry.
Cross the Ottawa River from downtown Ottawa into Gatineau, Québec, population 242 124. Gatineau is the third largest city in Québec. Annual tourist events in Gatineau include an international fireworks competition as well as a hot air balloon festival every September Long Weekend.
The Canadian Museum of Civilization, the most visited museum in Canada, is located directly across the river from Parliament Hill. The museum’s purpose is to collect, study and preserve objects that tell the human history of Canada and the cultural diversity of its people.
The first town that you will cycle through is Thurso, population 2 299, which is a small pulp and paper town famous for being the home of hockey superstar Guy LaFleur.
Papineauville, population 2 167, is another small town that offers cyclists a chance to eat and rehydrate.
Next, cycle through Montebello, which is world famous for the Château Montebello Resort, the largest log structure ever built. Your destination for the evening is Brownsburg-Chatham Municipal Campground on the north shore of the Ottawa River.
Kilometre Log
0.0 With Parliament Hill on your right, head west on Wellington Street.
1.3 Turn slightly right off of Wellington Street onto Ottawa River Parkway and cross the Portage Bridge.
1.9 Cross the Ottawa River and enter Gatineau, Québec on Boulevard Maisonneuve.
3.5 Boulevard Maisonneuve turns into Boulevard Fournier as you cross over the busy Autoroute de la Gatineau.
3.8 Cycle over Gatineau River.
5.0 Bike through Lake Leamy Ecological Park.
5.8 Cross over Gatineau River again. After crossing the bridge, Boulevard Fournier becomes Boulevard Gréber. Stay on this road until it intersects with HWY 148 / Boulevard Maloney.
8.3 Boulevard Gréber intersects with HWY 148 / Boulevard Maloney O. Turn right here. Remain on HWY 148 for the next one hundred kilometres.
12.2 Boulevard Maloney O / HWY 148 turns into Boulevard Maloney E / HWY 148.
14.6 Pass by Beauchamp Lake Park.
18.2 Pass by McLaurin Bay Park.
23.3 Boulevard Maloney E / HWY 148 becomes Chemin De Montréal O / HWY 148 here.
31.9 Turn right on Rue Notre Dame / HWY 148.
32.2 Turn left onto Chemin De Montréal E / HWY 148.
46.8 Enter Thurso on HWY 148 / Rue Victoria.
58.0 Plaisance.
65.9 Enter Papineauville on Rue Papineau / HWY 148.
72.2 Montebello.
78.4 Fassett.
88.9 Pointe-au-Chêne.
95.1 Calumet.
101.0 Turn right off of HWY 148 onto Rue Maple / HWY 344.
103.1 Turn left off of Rue Maple / HWY 344 onto Rue Principale / HWY 344.
109.1 Rue Principale / HWY 344 turns into Route Des Outaouais / HWY 344.
120.6 Enter Camping Municipal Brownsburg-Chatham.
