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From Sherbrooke to Waterloo

On this fourth day of the Grand Tour, we’re heading to Waterloo! This leg takes you through the iconic landscapes of the Estrie region, from the wooded valleys of Cherry River to the panoramic views of Eastman and the rural roads of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Rochelle.

Want to get to Waterloo without having to bike? Treat yourself to the “Day Off from Biking” shuttle! Reserveyour spot by visiting the Info booth on Monday before 9 p.m. Fare: $25 per person. The shuttle leaves the village of Sherbrooke at 9:30 a.m. and stops at the lunch spot so you can have your lunch.

Highlights of the Day

Cycling

Let's head to our second village in Waterloo! A route that winds through lakes, forests, hills, and charming villages, offering a cycling experience that's as peaceful as it is spectacular.

After biking

Want to take a trip out on the water? Upon showing their wristband, GT participants can take advantage of the resident rate for watercraft rentals at Waterloo Lake Park: $5/hour for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards; $10/hour for pedal boats.

From 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Denise Belzile will lead a bike repair workshop to teach you how to handle minor repairs on your own.

At 5:30 p.m., let Annie Paquet from Vélo Québec Voyages inspire you with cycling travel destinations.

For any emergency, please contact us at 514-292-8356.

1

Standard route, 82 km

A smooth ride through Magog, entirely on bike paths or bike lanes! Then things get a little tougher with several climbs on Chemin du Parc and Chemin Georges-Bonnallie (which climbs up to Route 220), followed by pretty little valleys on Chemin Monty. Route 243, still brand-new (and still warm!), offers a flawless road surface, even if things get a little rough on Route 241 as you approach Waterloo. From the winding forests along Chemin du Parc to the wide-open fields leading to Waterloo, the landscape is constantly changing.

View the route on Ride with GPS

2

Gravel Ride, 75 km

A lovely stretch between Rock-Forest and Magog, featuring a 9-kilometer bike path completely closed to vehicles! A calm and peaceful forest setting—simply magnificent.

Gravel route (47%)

View the route on Ride with GPS

3

Shortened route, -24 km (58 km total)

A route along a bike path or bike lane to cross Magog, including a lovely stretch along the promenade at Parc de la Baie-de-Magog. Gentle, peaceful hills on Chemin de la Dilligence, a road well-suited for bikes with a perfectly smooth surface. The only thing to watch out for: Route 112 gets busier as you approach Waterloo.

View the route on Ride with GPS

 

4

Optional Route 1, +29 km (111 km total)

It starts climbing right from the start with a steep ascent before Bolton-East, then continues to go up and down the entire way—enough to keep you in shape! Traffic moves quickly, but there’s a shoulder on Route 245 (there may be a 2.5-km detour on a gravel road if there’s construction on Millington Road). The road surface is in good condition along the entire route, and North Road—deep in the forest and very quiet—makes it the more scenic of the two optional routes!

View the route on Ride with GPS

5

Refreshment Stop 1 - 25 km

Let's meet at the Orford vineyard.

You'll have the opportunity to purchase products from the winery on site and take advantage of the pickup service. You can pick up your order at the Village!

6

Lunch stop - km 44

Let's meet up for a lunch break at the Eastman Sports Park, 19 Rue des Pins, Eastman, QC J0E 1P0.

The lunch stop is open starting at 10 a.m.

There, you'll find sports therapy ( free) and massage therapy.

Massage therapy rates: $20 for 10 minutes, $26 for 15 minutes, and $33 for 20 minutes (taxes included)

7

Refreshment Stop 2 - km 67

René Vel Park in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Rochelle.

8

Optional Route 2, +20 km (102 km total)

A hilly route, but nothing too daunting, with two climbs to expect on Monty Road and Grande-Ligne Road. Watch out for the rough road surface on the latter as you approach Waterloo. Route 243 has a bit more traffic (90 km/h), but the area around La Montagne and Mon Road offers some beautiful views.

View the route on Ride with GPS

 

Please note that the sections of the route that run along bike paths are not accessible to our vehicles, including support vehicles. Staff members will be patrolling the bike paths to assist cyclists who need immediate help.

Attractions along the route

Here are some of the day’s highlights—and there are plenty more to discover! This year, you can make purchases on-site, and we’ll bring everything back to the Village at the end of the day, thanks to a pickup service designed just for you! This service is indicated by this symbol

At the Orford Vineyard

318 Bice Road,

Orford, QC J1X 6X4

Dora Bakery

799 Main Street,

Eastman, QC J0E 1P0

Le Cep d’Argent Vineyard

1257 Chem. de la Rivière,

Magog, QC J1X 3W5

Activities and Services

We're moving out of the village, but you'll still be able to enjoy the same services in Waterloo!

Today in the village, you can:

Morning in Sherbrooke

6 a.m. – 9 a.m.: Festidouches

6 a.m.–11 a.m.: Café Espace

6:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Mechanics

8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.: Yoga (yoga mats not provided)

9:30 a.m.: Departure of the bike shuttle (25$)

10:00 a.m.: Check in your luggage at the designated area

 

 

At the diner

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Sports therapy (free at the first aid tent) and massage therapy ($20 for 10 minutes, $26 for 15 minutes, or $33 for 20 minutes; taxes included). To make a reservation, text Alexandre at 450-578-5015 and indicate your preferred time slot.

 

At all times

6:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Information Booth and Gift Shop

7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.: First Aid

7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: E-bike charging

2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.: Hotel shuttles

 

An Afternoon in Waterloo

When you return to the village, discover today's surprise, courtesy ofLait!

11 a.m. – 11 p.m.: Movie theater

11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Water activities on Lake Waterloo (stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking at resident rates upon presentation of the Grand Tour wristband)

Starting at 2:00 p.m.: Baggage pickup. In Waterloo, baggage handling and valet services will be provided by students from École Wilfrid-Léger to raise funds for their school trip to Italy scheduled for 2028. There is a $2 fee per bag, payable directly to the valets in cash. Since this is a fundraiser for the school, feel free to donate more!

2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Mechanics

2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Outdoor games

2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Festidouches

2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.: Massage therapy ($57 for 30 minutes, $103 for 55 minutes; taxes included). To make a reservation, text Alexandre at 450-578-5015 and indicate your preferred time slot.

3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Board games – Social games

3:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Drinks at the bistro, including Siboire, the official beer of the Grand Tour

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Mechanics workshop with Denise Belzile

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Yoga (yoga mats not provided)

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Travel Talk: Destination Inspiration with Annie Paquet

8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: DJ Set

Shuttles

Village – Hotels

Château Bromont Hotel Shuttle – August 4 and 5, 2026 – regular departures between 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Van

Shuttles for van drivers will depart from Waterloo at 8: 30 a.m. Please allow plenty of time; the trip between our two towns takes about 40 minutes.

Bicycle Leave

Want to get to Waterloo without having to pedal? Treat yourself to the “Day Off from Cycling” shuttle!

Reserve your spot by visiting the Info booth on Monday before 9:00 p.m. Cost: $25 per person. The shuttle leaves the village of Sherbrooke at 9:30 a.m. and stops at the rest area so you can have lunch.

Menu

At the Grand Tour, we think of everything! Whether your dietary restrictions are required or voluntary, we’ve got you covered. Make sure you have the wristband that matches your needs—everything is color-coded based on your wristband. If you have any specific allergies or intolerances, please let the caterer know when you pick up your meal so we can provide you with a meal tailored to your needs.

Regular meal – purple, red, and brown wristbands
Vegetarian and vegan meals – green wristband
Gluten-free meals – white wristband