This route connects campgrounds. Take a look at my routes to determine which ones. For those of you planning to stay indoors along the way, add or deduct distance from these routes from your accommodations.

I did not want the group put in campground overflow areas alongside the Trans-Canada Highway so took extra care in planning the route with this in mind.  My group was quite happy with the selected camps. Take a look at my routes to determine which ones. For those of you planning to stay indoors along the way, add or deduct distance from these routes from your accommodations. 

With the exception of one long gradual incline between Mont-Tremblant and Mont-Blanc, the trail gradually goes downhill from Mont-Laurier. The Petit Train du Nord trail could be done in three days, even two if you felt like moving it and skipping all the attractions.  Four would be comfy. You can do the trail return in both directions, the scenery will look a bit different each way. It is so nice it is unlikely you would regret it.

There is an Autobus service, link in index at bottom, that takes people, their bikes, and gear to points along the Petit Train du Nord. This is a great service. It can fill quickly. Note that there is far less demand for spaces going from north to south. Due to our group departure time and size they could not take us. I chartered a bus and a moving truck for baggage for our group’s shuttle to Mont-Laurier. 

The P’tit Train trail has annexed the 18 kilometre-long Lower Laurentians Trail (Parc Linéaire des Basses Laurentides). This runs between Blainville and Saint-Jérôme. This means that officially, the Le P’tit Train du Nord now starts in Blainville. However, Saint-Jérôme is still treated as the starting point, and distance markers in both directions still identify it as being kilometre zero. Blainville offers you another starting point, with more places available to stay beforehand or after the trip.

There also exists a series of bicycle paths that make it possible to cycle between the Parc Linéaire des Basses Laurentides at Blainville and Montréal. It crosses the huge sprawling suburban island of Laval. There are some park sections, but overall it is urban cycling.  I find the signage not that intuitive. I pride myself as good with directions, yet always seem to need to get a bit lost and need to be constantly checking navigation.

There are commuter trains from Montreal. On some weekends they do not go all the way in and a connection from the second last subway stop, de la Concorde, is required. 

With close distance to both Montreal and Ottawa this region can get busy. Reservations can help. Note if camping, campgrounds along the Trans-Canada Highway may stick you out by the highway. Bring earplugs in case you end up there.  

The area around Mont-Tremblant is the most popular. Around here you must have patience! The bike paths outward from here are busy, complete with children, family meetings in the middle of the path, people riding side by side, and wanna-be Tour de France speedsters.

I feel a hybrid to be a great choice for this relaxed-style trip, not just for the trail, but for other exploring around. Larger tires are always comfy on trails. I like 700x35s. Going down in size as far as 700×28 tires should be okay. If you insist on 700x25s note there will most likely be some short sections of freshly laid stone dust and you need to watch the uneven wood on the trestles.