THE AEROBIC CORRIDOR LINEAR PARK

Author:
Matthew Farfan

The Aerobic Corridor (“Corridor Aerobique”) is the Laurentians’ second longest linear park. At nearly 60 km in length, it connects Morin Heights in the south to Saint-Rémi-d'Amherst in the north. Like the 200 km “P’tit Train du Nord” trail, which runs roughly parallel, the Aerobic Corridor follows a former railway line, in this case the CN. And like the P’tit Train du Nord, it passes through some of the region’s most splendid countryside, with views of mountains, lakes, and a section of the famous Rouge River.Along the trail. (Photo - Quebec Heritage Web)

The Aerobic Corridor is a multi-use trail. The southernmost section (between Morin Heights and Montfort) is used for cycling and walking in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter. The next section is for cycling and walking only. The remainder -- from south of Lac-des-Seize-Iles, through Montcalm (Weir) and Arundel, with a spur to Huberdeau, and ending in Saint-Rémi-d'Amherst -- is shared seasonally between cycling and walking and snowmobiling.

Expansions at both ends of the trail are currently under way which will eventually link the Aerobic Corridor to the P’tit Train du Nord. In the south, a loop will join the two trails via Saint-Sauveur; in the north, the Corridor will be extended (as a cycling and walking route only) along Route 323 from Saint-Rémi-d'Amherst, through Brébeuf, to Saint-Jovite.
Former railway station, Arundel. (Photo - Matthew Farfan)The average grade along most of the trail is about 4%. The trail surface is composed of compacted crushed stone. The level of difficulty for cyclists is intermediate, and mountain or hybrid bikes are recommended. The trail will be of interest to cross-country skiers of beginner to intermediate levels.

For the more advanced skiers, there are numerous links to the region’s extensive cross-country ski trail network. Sources:Association touristique des Laurentides.Out-There (Internet Magazine).