Anyone been to Gaspe'?

[monty341]

I'm planning a trip to Gaspe' in the summer of '08. Has anyone been there and could you help me with where to camp and roads to see? I have a GSA so dirt roads would be great also!

[rdwalker]

Originally Posted by monty341

... Gaspe' .... Has anyone been there and could you help me with where to camp and roads to see? ...

First of all, you may want to ask the moderators to move you to Trip Planning section - they may do it anyway .

Second: you'll love the trip. In particular, once you get past the boring US interstate run to get into the area.

I've been there a couple times recently (even with back-tracking... busted final drive in my LT - grrrr...)

Your need for dirt may be satified even on normal roads: this is the north, after all, and the post-winter repair work will continue all summer. Expect a lot of construction on paved roads in NB and QC. You'll encounter miles and miles of gravel and dirt in the work zones.

Nice route goes through Cambellton, NB, along southern coast of Gaspe (route 132). Picturesque villages, but on the other hand, slow riding through them.

Once you get to town of Gaspe and continue north-west, take Rte 198. Solitude, great mountains, twisty. By then you will be tired of slowly going through towns on coastal route 132 from Cambellton. There are provincial parks and campgrounds along 198.

When you reach St. Lawrence River, you may want to consider ferry crossing to the north shore for more spectacular views along the Saguenay Fjord. Also, you can run in the 20km+ north of Baie Comeau to Manic-2 in order to experience the beginning of Trans-Labrador Highway.

Check out ferry schedules online. You can be surprized by a holiday schedule when you expect weekday's. Quebec has its own holidays, too. If you know the itinerary in advance, reserve on line. Or, call a day ahead from the road. In high season you may not make onto the ferry without reservation - and they only run 2/3 times a day.

Finally, if you can swing it (depending on where you are coming from), spend at least an overnight in Quebec City. A fantastic experience, especially on a warm summer evening, when the crowds are out and restaurants open into the streets.
Have fun!

[GB]

Let's try this in Trip Planning..

I was in Gaspe last summer. The trouble we had in on a weekday in August is we couldn't find a place to stay overnight.. everything was booked.. Book your accomodations in advance.. You'll see a lot of signs for "gite", that's a B&B.

[Hayden#69]

+1 on Old Qubec City. A must not miss place. The old Churches from the 1600s is just Awsome.

I made it from Qubec City to Ste-Anne-des-Monts in a day and I didnt leave till 1:00 pm. Found some little road side cabins that was great as it had rained the whole way and was 40 degrees. Made it to Bathurst the next day.

My favorite part of the Gaspe was from Ste-Anne-des-Monts to Gaspe. The coast along here was just great. From Gaspe to Campbellton is just slow. Lots of towns and slow people. Plus road repair. I camped about 99.9% of my trip to Nova Scotia. It wasnt hard to find a place to camp. I didnt take any dirt stuff. Gaspe was a fly through for me as I was heading on to PEI and NS.

Expect rain and be set up for it. It raind on me for a week once I left Qubec City. My trip was in Aug 07

[driller]

I echo Hayden 69's opinion that the stretch from St. Anne to Gaspe was the best.
There is a really neat hostel called Auberge Sea Shack just a few short clicks East of SA. Staying there was the highlight of my trip up there.
The route from Ft. Kent to that area took me through a section called "the Valley" and provided good riding on paved and unpaved roads. Rt 299 down to Camblleton is great.
Have fun!

[scarysharkface]

+1 on Quebec City. Very neat-o place!

If you're in the vicinity, Kouchibouguac Provincial Park is a nice stop, and the water's warm enough to swim in. The campground is quite nice as well.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/nb/kouchibouguac/index_E.asp

John

[Hulked Up]

Resurrecting an old thread here, but I think the information will be just as useful for me in planning a trip for 2010. I had a couple of questions...

How many days would you say one would need to do the Gaspe, starting from Fort Kent and ending in Quebec City?

Is it better to do it clockwise or counter-clockwise?

I've heard that Bed & Breakfasts can be more reasonable than hotels? Is this true?

Any other advice on lodging, online resources, etc.? I would prefer to camp but the guys in my group don't sleep on the ground.

Thanks all...

[bumper1871]

Here are a few online ressources and there are many others. If possible plan your trip so you can ride on the seaside lane. I sleep at BB a lot when I ride. Less bagages, a nice breakfeast and you always get to meet other travellers.


Have fun

http://www.motorcyclingquebec.com/

http://www.quebecmaritime.ca/en

http://www.guidecamping.ca/cdcq/en/cdcqgeo.shtml

http://www.inns-bb.com/

http://www.bonjourquebec.com/us-en/accueil0.html

[Hulked Up]

Thank you! This is great!

[Exurban]

The road along the St. Lawrence

[Exurban]

Quebec City is the only remaining fortified city in North America