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Quebec

Hike, Bike and Kayak in Québec's Eastern Townships

Program No. 22010RJ
Bike southern Québec with stops for wine and cider tasting, kayak the calm waters of Lake Memphremagog and hike Vermont’s historic Long Trail on this expert-led outdoor adventure.

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climate
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Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jul 23 - Jul 28, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Jul 30 - Aug 4, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Aug 20 - Aug 25, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Aug 27 - Sep 1, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Sep 17 - Sep 22, 2023
Starting at
1,549
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jul 23 - Jul 28, 2023
Starting at
1,869
Jul 30 - Aug 4, 2023
Starting at
1,869
Aug 20 - Aug 25, 2023
Starting at
1,869
Aug 27 - Sep 1, 2023
Starting at
1,869
Sep 17 - Sep 22, 2023
Starting at
1,869

At a Glance

National Geographic calls Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom "the most desirable place to explore in the country" and named Québec's Route Verte "the best bicycling trail network on the planet.” What more do you need to know? Let’s get active! Bike, hike and kayak across this region to experience its many outdoor riches. Pedal some of the finest bike rides in Canada’s East, hike trails blazed by European settlers and paddle pristine waterways with experienced instructors. Located in the Eastern Townships and bordering the Northeast Kingdom, the Outdoor Lodge in Glen Sutton is your ideal home base during your adventure.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Up to five hours of physical activity each day on varied terrain. Bring your own bike or bikes available on site. Kayakers must be able to swim. All water equipment provided. See itinerary for details on daily activities and on which days there are options.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Visit Devil's Gulch on a hike along Vermont's Long Trail, the oldest long-distance walking trail in America.
  • Bike on traffic-free back roads to wine and ice cider tastings, fascinating museums or a local monastery to hear some Gregorian chanting.
  • Paddle a kayak in safety on flat water under the watchful eye of expert instructors who provide tips for kayakers of all levels.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices will be unavailable.
Featured Expert
All Experts
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Stephen Giesler
Stephen Giesler lives for the outdoors and all the sporting pleasures that can be found there. As an instructor and active participant in Road Scholar’s outdoor programs, he is the person you want with you when you’re ready for an adventure. He has been downhill skiing since he was three, is a multiple Gold Bar Canadian Ski Marathoner, and has white water kayaked on four continents. Along with his wife Joy, they organize outdoor experiences in the countryside of southern Quebec and northern Vermont.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Stephen Giesler
Stephen Giesler View biography
Stephen Giesler lives for the outdoors and all the sporting pleasures that can be found there. As an instructor and active participant in Road Scholar’s outdoor programs, he is the person you want with you when you’re ready for an adventure. He has been downhill skiing since he was three, is a multiple Gold Bar Canadian Ski Marathoner, and has white water kayaked on four continents. Along with his wife Joy, they organize outdoor experiences in the countryside of southern Quebec and northern Vermont.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
New England Wildlife
by James Kavanaugh
This laminated, fold-out, pocket-size guide features illustrations of almost 150 species of fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.
Shadows on the Rock
by Willa Cather
Set at the end of the 17th century in rural Quebec, this beautifully realized novel highlights the struggles of the Parisian widower Auclair and his young daughter to adapt to their new land.
Disappearances
by Howard Frank Mosher
Mosher's award-winning first novel is the enchanting story of a young man and his whiskey-smuggling father and their adventures in the wilderness of northern Vermont in 1932.
The Story of Vermont, A Natural and Cultural History
by Christopher McGrory Klyza
This second edition of the classic text examines the geologic, ecologic, and cultural forces that came together and produced contemporary Vermont.
A People's History of Quebec
by Robin Philbot, Jacques Lacoursiere
This swift overview of Quebec’s 450-year history by a leading historian covers everything from the earliest days of colonization to the province’s recent efforts to gain independence. Includes a helpful timeline.
The Nature of Vermont, Introduction and Guide to a New England Environment
by Charles W. Johnson
Opening with a discussion of the geologic history of Vermont, Johnson provides a lively introduction to major habitats, plants and animals of the state. An excellent survey of natural history.
Still Life
by Louise Penny
Louise Penny’s award-winning debut novel is also the first in the mystery series starring Inspector Armand Gamache. In this initial installment, Inspector Gamache must investigate a suspicious death in the rural, forested village of Three Pines.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to New England
by Brian Cassie, Peter Alden
A compact, easy-to-use overview of 1,000 New England's trees, wildflowers, mammals, insects and other flora and fauna. It also provides an extensive overview of the area's geology, weather patterns and natural sites.
New England Autumn
by Ferenc Mate (Photographer), Candace Mate (Photographer)
Magnificent photographs of farmsteads, pastures, forests, wharves and villages from Maine to Connecticut are paired with the poetry and literature of Dickinson, Thoreau and Waldo Emerson in this pictorial celebration of season. With a 14-page section of maps and practical travel information.
A Traveller's History of Canada
by Robert Bothwell
A readable and admirably concise march through Canadian history from prehistory to today, including a timeline.
The Basic Book of Sea Kayaking
by Derek C. Hutchinson
A brief guide to the fundamentals of sea kayaking by a leading authority -- a useful introduction for the beginner and a review for experienced paddlers. With 50 color illustrations.
Wandering Home, A Long Walk Across America's Most Hopeful Landscape
by Bill McKibben
On a three-week walk from Vermont's Mt. Abraham to his former home in the Adirondack Mountains, prominent American ecologist McKibben meets with environmentally conscious folk, including activists, writers, organic farmers, a vintner and a beekeeper, to discuss important questions about nature and climate change.
Walking
by Henry David Thoreau
Slip this pocket edition of Thoreau's meditations on the spiritual benefits of this most civilized form of travel in your daypack for inspiration.
Reading the Forested Landscape, A Natural History of New England
by Tom Wessels, Brian Cohen (Illustrator), Ann Zwinger (Introduction)
In this entertaining, informative book, the history of the New England forest unfolds like a mystery novel. Wessels examines the character of the central New England forest through the clues left behind by fires, logging, storms and economic fads.
Dishing Up Vermont, 145 Authentic Recipes from the Green Mountain State
by Tracey Medeiros
A collection of recipes from a broad range of cooks dedicated to sustaining and enriching local culinary traditions, this book celebrates the classic taste of the Green Mountain state.
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6 days
5 nights
14 meals
5 B 4 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Glen Sutton, QC
D
Outdoor Lodge in Glen Sutton

Afternoon: Due to the remote location of this program, a scheduled complimentary shuttle is available from the airport in Burlington, VT, departing promptly at 3:30 pm. Check-in time is 3:00 - 5:00 pm for those arriving independently. All levels are welcome. Meet your hosts and fellow Road Scholars in the commodious Great Room with its fireplace and extensive library that provides a casual and comfortable spot for refreshments and lively conversation.

Dinner: Dinner is at the lodge in the open format kitchen and dining room. Enjoy high-end homestyle cooking with menus designed and prepared by our team of chefs. Dinner is a plated meal and will consist of salad or soup, entrée, and dessert. In this age of fast cuisine, we think you’ll appreciate the effort that the dining team puts into their “from scratch” delicacies. Special dietary needs must be noted on the Participant Information Form. If you do not advise us of your requirements or special needs well in advance of your program, we may not be able to accommodate your requests once you arrive on the program.

Evening: Orientation: Around 7:30 pm we gather for a general introduction of guests and a detailed outline of the week. Following that there will be a talk about Glen Sutton, the Eastern Townships and the general scene in this part of the world. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements for weather or other circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, engaging in available activities on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Hiking, Walking on the Sutton Massif
Glen Sutton, QC
B,L,D
Outdoor Lodge in Glen Sutton

Activity note: Options for a gentle walk or a more demanding hike. Hikes are 4-5 hours on varied terrain. Hikes are categorized as Intermediate in difficulty: net elevation gains of about 1600'; walks are 3-4 hours over forest trails or flattish country laneways. Daypacks required. Van transfers to trail heads between 20 - 50 minutes.

Breakfast: Enjoy a self-serve breakfast at the Lodge offering a variety of healthy options: generally a hot option (eggs, oatmeal, hot cereal, etc.) fresh fruit bowls, yogurts, local maple syrup, variety of breads.

Morning: Gather on the porch to get the map of the day for our 9:00 a.m. departure. Hikers: Our adventure this morning is to Round Top (Mont Sutton), the local peak visible from the Lodge (it's a 25 minute drive to the trailhead). We climb through a mixed beech-maple forest to Spruce Lake where we lunch at a waterside pavilion. Walkers: We walk alongside a dancing brook that leads us gently downhill from the base of Mont Sutton towards the village of Sutton (alias Three Pines in the Inspecteur Gamache crime novels). We lunch by an old dam.

Lunch: Bag lunch near trails or on shore around noon at a pre-designated spot.

Afternoon: Hikers: We continue upwards to summit of Round Top. Descend by a different path to point of origin. Time for a visit to town of Sutton. Hiking time approximately 4 hours. Intermediate difficulty. (Note: Trail conditions or closures due to bird nesting sites or washouts may have us exploring other arteries of the Sutton massif). Walkers: The downward trail continues to Sutton. Some time to see the sights of this tourist town with 4 bakeries and a chocolate shop. Much ado about the magical natural order. Walking time approximately 3 hours. We are normally back at the Lodge between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. where there is plenty of time for a swim, a snooze, a snack. or a pre-dinner drink (BYOB).

Dinner: Dinner at 6 pm. Drinks before dinner if so desired. The lodge is a B.Y.O.B establishment. Alcoholic beverages are not served on-site but participants are welcome to bring their own.

Evening: Evening lectures commence at 7:30 p.m. Topics might include the following: Heart Healthy Living, Natural History, Canadian History, Quebec Politics Since the Quiet Revolution of the 60s, The Gerry Bull Story, Native Canadian History or a private musical concert. Each week has one free evening where guests can sample our world-class movie collection, play bridge or sample some local theatre.

DAY
3
Bike the Border Line, Inspector Gamache Rides Into Vermont
Glen Sutton, QC
B,L,D
Outdoor Lodge in Glen Sutton

Activity note: All cycling takes place almost entirely on pavement. Average ride 25 miles over rolling terrain (some do more and some do less). We can adjust terrain from quite hilly to quite flat as we have a range of 20 rides to choose from. The scenery of upstate Vermont and the Eastern Townships will dazzle you. Many roads will be traffic free.

Breakfast: At the Lodge at 8:00 a.m.

Morning: Gather on the porch to get the map of the day for our 9:00 a.m. departure. Today we bike on both sides of the Quebec/Vermont border. Rental bikes are fitted as needed in early morn. We can choose from 20 different day rides which average 25 miles in length (some do more, some do less). Our sag wagon is constantly on patrol and is equipped with repair tools, spares and reserve water. A short van ride with bikes in tow and then the spinning begins. Rides are 99% on pavement and our area is renowned for good shoulders and very low traffic densities that often see more bicycles than cars on any given day.

Lunch: Meet for a bag lunch a pre-designated spot.

Afternoon: Cycling continues in the afternoon and ends around 3-3:30 p.m. Plenty of time to shuttle home, shower, nap, read, swim and have that pre-dinner drink.

Dinner: Dinner at 6 pm. Drinks before dinner if so desired. The lodge is a B.Y.O.B establishment. Alcoholic beverages are not served on-site but participants are welcome to bring their own.

Evening: We will meet for our evening lecture at the Lodge.

DAY
4
Guest group choice: Kayak, Bike or Hike/Walk. We pick one
Glen Sutton, QC
B,L,D
Outdoor Lodge in Glen Sutton

Activity note: Three sports, four days: Collective popular demand will dictate how we may move today. Below are a few of the destinations available. If kayaking we may visit Lake Brome's Quilliam's Marsh (the finest in Southern Quebec), if biking visit the covered bridge capital of America (Montgomery, Vermont) and if hiking/walking visit Mount Pisgah (the Switzerland of Vermont) and Orford National Park near Magog, Quebec (followed, for the walkers, by a visit to The Benedictine Abbey in St. Benoit du Lac).

Breakfast: At the Lodge.

Morning: Gather on the porch to get the map of the day for our 9:00 a.m. departure. The group choice may head us to one of the following: Hikers: Mt. Pisgah, the Switzerland of Vermont, lies in the famed Northeast Kingdom and is about 50 minutes from the Lodge. Stunning overlooks of 1,000' cliffs make this day very special. This was the first site in Vermont to which the peregrine falcon returned after the DDT crisis of the 60s. Walkers: Orford National Park. Part of the Canadian Trail (you can walk East to the Atlantic, West to the Pacific or North to the Arctic Ocean). We walk today on a lakeside trail with 2 overlooks (elevation gain a few hundred feet). Bikers: Ride to The Abbey (a country bar/restaurant in N. Vermont). Access for some on a Rails-To-Trails path after an easy start (long downhill) and a rolling river valley road. If more ambitious various options out of the valley involve light grunting and easy laughs as the destination nears. Lunch by the park fountain in Enosburg Falls. Kayakers: The Quilliam's Marsh on Lake Brome is a jewel just off Lake Brome. After a half mile paddle along the shore we enter the splendour of Quebec's most enchanting marsh: wild rice, black ducks, herons, countless birds, sunning turtles, perhaps an eagle.

Lunch: Meet for a bag lunch a pre-designated spot (on the summit, back at the lodge or by the lake).

Afternoon: Outdoor activities continue. Hikers: Another 90 minutes or so will have us off the mountain. Level of hike: Intermediate. Walkers: We follow Orford Park with a visit to the Benedictine Monastery in St. Benoit du Lac...Level of hike: intermediate. Bikers: More Rail Trail to day's end at the Abbey or, if full of beans, back to the high country to ensure a good night's sleep and then close the day down over a cool one at the Abbey. Kayakers: We return to our start point for lunch. Options now abound: tour Millionaire's Row, the Hardy Boys hideaway and end with a traverse to the Marina's Tiki Bar. Two more boating hours in Lac Brome, along Peacock Alley (fancy real estate best seen from the water), and on to the Tikka Bar to end the day in the "Northern Caribbean".

Dinner: Dinner at 6 pm. Drinks before dinner if so desired. The lodge is a B.Y.O.B establishment. Alcoholic beverages are not served on-site but participants are welcome to bring their own.

Evening: Free evening. Each week has one free evening where guests can sample our world-class movie collection, play bridge, or sample some local theatre.

DAY
5
Kayak Lake Memphremagog
Glen Sutton, QC
B,L,D
Outdoor Lodge in Glen Sutton

Activity note: Kayaking is on flat water or gentle current. Mostly solo boats. Swimming ability would be useful. All kayaking equipment provided. Instruction for all levels from never-ever to old-hand. Some topics: stroke technique to stay straight, core muscle guidance to keep arms rested, loose hips to not sink ships, edging subtleties to finesse strokes, bracing techniques, etc.

Breakfast: At the Lodge.

Morning: Gather on the porch to get the map of the day for our 9:00 a.m. departure. Kayakers: Lake Memphremagog . Crystal clear, over 300' deep with stunning exploration potential. We launch and play by a public beach and work on technique appropriate to the group's various skill levels.

Lunch: Meet for a bag lunch a pre-designated spot.

Afternoon: Outdoor activities continue: Kayakers: Excursion time. How about Molson Island? Check the wind, the rudder, the giddiness. Applying new techniques can turn daunting to dreamy. We'll cross the lake to explore some hidden gems on the other side…water travel at its healthiest, simplest and most fulfilling.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at 6 p.m. Drinks before dinner if so desired. The lodge is a B.Y.O.B establishment. Alcoholic beverages are not served on-site but participants are welcome to bring their own.

Evening: Farewell evening.

DAY
6
Program Concludes after breakfast
Glen Sutton, QC
B

Breakfast: Enjoy our final breakfast together at the Lodge.

Morning: Departures after breakfast according to individual travel plans. The airport transfer will depart at 9:00 am; approximate arrival at the Burlington airport is 10:30 am. Check-out is 10:00 am for those departing independently. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please be in touch via the Road Scholar Social Network, where you can share memories, pictures and comments. Best wishes for all your journeys.






Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.