Ride Routes
A Ride from Vaudreuil-Dorion: 145 km Through Soulanges
By the Groupe Contant Team · Published September 6, 2026
Quick Answer
What is a good motorcycle route starting from Vaudreuil-Dorion?
A loop of roughly 145 km: take Route 342 west through Hudson to Rigaud, drop south on Route 201 toward Sainte-Marthe and Coteau-du-Lac, then come back east on Route 338 — the old Soulanges canal road — through Les Cèdres and Pointe-des-Cascades. Budget 3 to 4 hours with stops. This is the flattest and easiest-going of our five routes.
Vaudreuil-Soulanges is wedged between two bodies of water and crossed by three centuries of navigation history. This route barely climbs at all — which is the point: it's the one to recommend to a newer rider, to someone on three wheels for the first time, or for an August afternoon too hot for the mountains.
It starts at our Vaudreuil-Dorion dealership and essentially follows the water: Lac des Deux Montagnes to the north, Lac Saint-François and the St. Lawrence to the south, and the Soulanges canal in between.
The Route at a Glance
| Route detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Start | Groupe Contant Vaudreuil, 140 Rue Aimé-Vincent |
| Distance | Roughly 145 km, as a loop |
| Duration | 3 to 4 hours with stops |
| Season | May to late October — the longest window of our five loops |
| Main roads | 342, 201, 338, 340 |
| Surface | Paved for the whole of the suggested route |
The Route, Leg by Leg
- Vaudreuil-Dorion to Hudson on Route 342 (about 15 km) — out of town, then the old village of Hudson on the shore of Lac des Deux Montagnes.
- Hudson to Rigaud on Route 342 (about 20 km) — the road pulls away from the lake and runs along the foot of Mont Rigaud, the only real relief on the route.
- Rigaud to Coteau-du-Lac on Route 201 (about 30 km) — the run south across the farmland of Sainte-Marthe and Saint-Clet.
- Coteau-du-Lac west on Route 338 (about 25 km round trip, optional) — a spur along Lac Saint-François toward Saint-Zotique and Rivière-Beaudette, worth adding if you have time.
- Coteau-du-Lac to Pointe-des-Cascades on Route 338 (about 25 km) — the best leg: the old road runs alongside the Soulanges canal and its 1899 locks for nearly its whole length.
- Pointe-des-Cascades back to Vaudreuil-Dorion on Routes 338 and 340 (about 15 km) — the run home, short and direct.
Where to Stop Along the Way
- Hudson — the old village and the wharf, where the seasonal ferry to Oka leaves; it's the link to our Mirabel route on the far shore.
- Rigaud — the Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes sanctuary on the mountainside, and the view over the Ottawa valley.
- Coteau-du-Lac — the Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site, home to the oldest lock canal in North America.
- The Soulanges canal — its locks and lock-keeper stations line Route 338 between Coteau-du-Lac and Pointe-des-Cascades, with several pull-offs along the water.
- Pointe-des-Cascades — Parc des Ancres, where the canal meets the river.
When to Ride This Route
This loop has the longest season of the five. With no elevation, the region thaws earlier and freezes later: the route is often rideable from late April to late October, well after Route 329 in the Laurentians has become a gamble.
It also handles heat best. The legs along the canal and Lac Saint-François stay noticeably cooler than an inland route, and there is steady shade on the 338.
The one real limiting factor is wind. The corridor between Lac Saint-François and the river is open and exposed; in a strong westerly, the Coteau-du-Lac to Rivière-Beaudette stretch gets tiring, especially on a light bike or a three-wheeler.
Riding This Route on a Spyder, Ryker, or Canyon
This is our first pick for a three-wheel rental. No elevation, no tight corners, no technical stretch, no required highway section — and 145 km is exactly the right length for a first full day on a machine you don't know yet.
Route 338 along the canal in particular is made for it: wide, straight, water on both sides, and a rhythm that asks nothing of you.
Our Vaudreuil location rents all three models. If you've never ridden a three-wheeler, our 3-wheel motorcycle licence guide sets out exactly what class 6E requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
A loop of roughly 145 km: take Route 342 west through Hudson to Rigaud, drop south on Route 201 toward Sainte-Marthe and Coteau-du-Lac, then come back east on Route 338 — the old Soulanges canal road — through Les Cèdres and Pointe-des-Cascades. Budget 3 to 4 hours with stops. This is the flattest and easiest-going of our five routes.
Groupe Contant — Your Quebec Dealer
The easiest of our five routes, and the best for a first outing on three wheels. Groupe Contant Vaudreuil rents the Can-Am Spyder, Ryker, and Canyon by the day.