Ride Routes
A Ride from Mirabel: 170 km Between the Lake and Argenteuil
By the Groupe Contant Team · Published September 6, 2026
Quick Answer
What is a good motorcycle route starting from Mirabel?
A loop of roughly 170 km: drop down to Saint-Eustache, take Route 344 west along the shore of Lac des Deux Montagnes through Oka and Saint-Placide to Carillon, head up to Lachute, then come back east on Route 329 or 364 through Morin-Heights and Saint-Sauveur before dropping back to Mirabel. Budget 4 to 5 hours with stops.
Most riders leaving Mirabel head north on Route 117. This loop does the opposite: it runs west, follows the shore of Lac des Deux Montagnes to the Ottawa River, and only climbs into the hills on the way home. The result is a far quieter ride than a July Saturday on the 117.
The starting point is our Mirabel dealership, the largest in the group. As with all our routes, the itinerary is a suggestion: the roads and places named are real, the order and distance are worth adjusting to your own pace.
The Route at a Glance
| Route detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Start | Groupe Contant Mirabel, 18000 R. J.-A.-Bombardier |
| Distance | Roughly 170 km, as a loop |
| Duration | 4 to 5 hours with stops |
| Season | Mid-May to mid-October |
| Main roads | 148, 344, 327, 329, 364, 158 |
| Surface | Paved — check for seasonal roadwork before you go |
The Route, Leg by Leg
- Mirabel to Saint-Eustache (about 20 km) — the warm-up, across Mirabel's farmland to old Saint-Eustache and its 1783 church.
- Saint-Eustache to Oka on Route 344 (about 25 km) — Lac des Deux Montagnes opens up on your left and stays there until Saint-Placide.
- Oka to Carillon on Route 344 (about 35 km) — the quietest stretch of the route, between the lake and the Argenteuil countryside.
- Carillon to Lachute on Routes 344 and 327 (about 25 km) — you leave the shore for Argenteuil's regional centre, the natural place to refuel at the halfway mark.
- Lachute to Saint-Sauveur on Route 329 or 364 (about 40 km) — the hill section, with Morin-Heights halfway along; this is where the route gets twisty.
- Saint-Sauveur back to Mirabel on Route 364 and either Autoroute 15 or Route 158 (about 30 km) — the run south, depending on whether you want to finish quickly or finish quietly.
Where to Stop Along the Way
As on all our routes, the suggested stops are public places — national parks, historic sites, villages. Hours and admission change from season to season, so check before you leave.
- Saint-Eustache — the church of Saint-Eustache, whose façade still carries cannonball damage from the 1837 battle.
- Oka — Parc national d'Oka, with its beach on Lac des Deux Montagnes and its calvary; the most complete stop on the route.
- Oka — the ferry to Hudson, linking the north shore to Vaudreuil-Soulanges; it is seasonal, so confirm the schedule if you plan to use it.
- Carillon — the Carillon Canal National Historic Site on the Ottawa River, with its lock still in operation.
- Morin-Heights and Saint-Sauveur — two mountain villages on the way back, well supplied with terraces for a late-afternoon break.
When to Ride This Route
The window runs from mid-May to mid-October. Unlike most Laurentian routes, this one is pleasant even at the height of summer: the lakeshore section stays cool in the afternoon, and tourist traffic concentrates on Route 117 and in Saint-Sauveur rather than on the 344.
The best moment is still late September, when the hills between Lachute and Saint-Sauveur turn colour and the villages get quiet again.
One seasonal note: the Oka–Carillon stretch runs past farmland, and machinery pulls onto the road often in spring and at harvest. Leave yourself room in blind corners.
Riding This Route on a Spyder, Ryker, or Canyon
This is probably the best of our five routes for a first outing on three wheels. Route 344 is wide, flat, and quiet over long stretches — exactly what you want while getting used to how a Spyder or Ryker handles, before taking on the Morin-Heights hills on the way back.
Our Mirabel location rents all three Can-Am three-wheel models. See also our rental guide and our 3-wheel motorcycle licence guide if this is your first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
A loop of roughly 170 km: drop down to Saint-Eustache, take Route 344 west along the shore of Lac des Deux Montagnes through Oka and Saint-Placide to Carillon, head up to Lachute, then come back east on Route 329 or 364 through Morin-Heights and Saint-Sauveur before dropping back to Mirabel. Budget 4 to 5 hours with stops.
Groupe Contant — Your Quebec Dealer
Want to try this route before you buy? Groupe Contant Mirabel rents the Can-Am Spyder, Ryker, and Canyon by the day, right at the loop's starting point.