What the Tour of the Summits Covers

The Tour of the Summits is a long Quebec quad circuit, not a quick loop around one lookout. Its appeal is the changing terrain and mountain scenery along the way, but planning it takes more than picking a line on a map: trail access, closures, fuel, weather and overnight stops all matter. This guide explains what the ride covers and how to prepare.

What the Tour of the Summits covers

A long circuit through mountain country

The Tour of the Summits, also known as Le Summum in trail-planning references, is described as a 314-kilometre circuit. That distance makes it a substantial outing rather than a casual afternoon ride. Depending on your pace, stops and route conditions, you may want to split it into multiple riding days instead of trying to cover the entire circuit in one push.

The ride’s defining feature is its mountain setting. Expect a changing mix of forested corridors, rolling terrain and elevated views rather than one continuous stretch of dramatic peaks. The scenery is part of the experience, but the route is also about travelling between different sections of Quebec’s trail network. For other regional circuits, see [Quebec Circuits in the Laurentides](Quebec Circuits in the Laurentides) and [Quebec Trails With Mountain Views](Quebec Trails With Mountain Views).

It helps to think of the Tour as a connected journey, not a sightseeing road with a guaranteed lookout at every turn. Trail surfaces, views and elevation can vary from one segment to another. A map can help you understand the broad shape of the circuit, while local trail information can tell you which sections are actually open and suitable for your planned ride.

A route that rewards flexible planning

A circuit of this length may pass through more than one trail area or sub-region. That can make the ride feel varied, but it also means you should not assume every segment has the same services, conditions or access rules. A well-stocked village near one part of the route does not guarantee that fuel or food will be convenient farther along.

Plan around realistic riding time, not just the kilometre total. Mud, rocky stretches, dust, rain, trail traffic and group stops can all slow progress. A group that moves quickly on a dry, familiar trail may take much longer when the surface is slick or when riders are stopping to regroup and check navigation.

Before leaving, identify a few sensible stopping points and decide where your group can shorten the ride if needed. That does not mean you need to abandon the circuit at the first delay. It means you have a fallback plan if a storm rolls in, a machine develops a problem or the group is running behind schedule.

The circuit is part of a wider trail network

The Tour’s appeal is tied to the larger network of Quebec quad trails. A named circuit can help riders picture a journey, but it does not replace checking the individual trail segments that make up the route. Trail access can change because of seasonal conditions, maintenance, land access or local closures.

Use the route’s official or club-maintained information as your starting point, then check for current conditions before departure. [Quebec Trail Conditions Before You Go](Quebec Trail Conditions Before You Go) is useful background for understanding why a route that looked straightforward during trip planning might need to be adjusted closer to ride day.

Also distinguish between a trail route and the right to ride it. A trail pass, machine registration, insurance and any applicable rider requirements are separate considerations. Review [Quebec's Annual FQCQ Trail Pass](Quebec's Annual FQCQ Trail Pass) and [Quebec Registration and Trail Pass Together](Quebec Registration and Trail Pass Together) before setting out, especially if you are visiting from outside Quebec.

How to plan the ride

Choose a practical starting point and daily distance

Your starting point shapes the whole trip. Consider where your group can park and unload, whether trailers can be left securely, and how easily everyone can reach the trail. If you are travelling from outside the region, a convenient trailhead may be more valuable than starting at the most famous or scenic spot.

Break the circuit into manageable daily sections based on the least experienced rider and the slowest machine in the group. A group’s actual pace is usually set by the person who needs the most breaks, the machine that needs the most attention or the trail section that demands the most care. That is not a problem; it is simply part of planning a safe group ride.

If you are staying overnight, confirm that your accommodation can accommodate quad riders and trailers, and ask about secure parking and trail access. Do not assume a lodging listing’s proximity to a route means you can ride directly from its parking lot. [Quebec Lodging That Welcomes Quads](Quebec Lodging That Welcomes Quads) and [Quebec Trailheads With Parking](Quebec Trailheads With Parking) can help you think through those logistics.

Build a route plan with a backup

Use a current trail map to trace the intended circuit, mark likely stops and note where the route could be shortened. A navigation app such as onX Offroad can be one tool for viewing and organizing a planned ride, but do not rely on a single device or assume its displayed line confirms that a trail is open. Check local trail information separately, and carry a backup map or route notes in case your phone loses power or reception.

Before departure, save the route information you expect to need and make sure everyone in the group knows the meeting points. In remote sections, cell service may be unreliable, so a plan that depends on calling another rider at every junction is fragile. Share the route and expected return time with someone who is not riding with you.

A backup plan should be specific. For example, decide in advance which junction would let the group turn back or take a shorter route, and agree on what conditions would trigger that change. “We’ll figure it out if something happens” can quickly become a stressful conversation when daylight is fading and everyone is tired.

Prepare for fuel, food and mechanical delays

Estimate fuel needs conservatively. Distance alone does not determine consumption: terrain, speed, load, tire choice and machine condition all play a role. If a stretch between services looks long, make sure your machine’s range comfortably covers it and follow safe practices for carrying any approved spare fuel.

Pack water, food, basic first-aid supplies, weather-appropriate layers and tools suited to your machine. A compact repair kit, tire-repair supplies and a belt or other model-specific spare may be worthwhile on a longer trip, particularly when the group is far from a service shop. Match your kit to your machine and your ability to use it rather than carrying parts you cannot install.

A pre-ride inspection is easier at home than on a trail shoulder. Check tires, brakes, lights, fluids, belt condition and essential fasteners. Make sure your phone and navigation device are charged, and carry a power bank if appropriate. Even a small mechanical issue can change the day’s schedule when a group is travelling a long circuit.

Trail conditions, safety and riding etiquette

Check access and closures before every riding day

A route that is open when you first plan a trip may not be open on the day you arrive. Spring thaw, heavy rain, maintenance work and local access changes can affect individual segments. In particular, avoid treating a route map or an old saved track as proof that riding is permitted. Confirm the status of each section with current club or trail information.

If a section is closed, respect the closure and use an authorized alternative only if one is available. Do not detour onto private property, an unmarked road or a trail that appears to continue beyond a barrier. A blocked route can be frustrating when you have already booked lodging or planned a full day around it, but riding around a closure can create safety and land-access problems.

Weather can also change the feel of a mountain circuit quickly. Rain may make a familiar section slippery, while fog or low cloud can reduce visibility. Give yourself permission to pause, wait out poor conditions or shorten the day. A good trip is not measured by whether you complete every kilometre regardless of conditions.

Ride within the group’s ability

The safest pace is one that lets the whole group maintain control and stay together. On unfamiliar ground, leave enough space to react to sudden stops, washouts or obstacles. Avoid pressuring less-experienced riders to keep up, especially on steep, rutted or loose surfaces.

Agree on simple group habits before setting off. Riders can stop at planned junctions, wait where the group can pull safely off the trail and check that everyone has caught up before continuing. If a rider drops out of sight, the group should have a clear procedure for stopping and regrouping rather than sending one person far ahead without telling anyone.

Keep noise and speed appropriate to the surroundings, and yield courteously where needed. A circuit may pass near homes, businesses, other trail users or shared corridors. Following local signs and staying on authorized trails helps protect access for everyone. For broader route-planning advice, see [Quebec Trail Etiquette Locals Expect](Quebec Trail Etiquette Locals Expect).

Bring the right documents and equipment

Before a long ride, check that your machine’s registration, insurance and trail-pass requirements are in order, and carry the documents you may be asked to show. Requirements can vary with your circumstances, machine and location, so verify what applies to your trip rather than relying on another rider’s setup.

A helmet and suitable protective clothing should be part of the plan, not an afterthought. Pack layers that work in changing weather, gloves appropriate to the conditions and eye protection. If your ride may continue later in the day, confirm that your machine’s required lighting is working before leaving.

Navigation and safety gear should also match the remoteness of the route. Carry a first-aid kit, a way to contact help where possible and enough water for delays. Tell someone your expected route and return time. These simple preparations matter most when the ride does not go exactly as planned.

Is the Tour of the Summits right for your trip

It suits riders who want a multi-section outing

The Tour is a good fit for riders who enjoy covering meaningful distance and seeing how the trail experience changes along a route. It can appeal to a group looking for a weekend or multi-day trip, especially if the riders are comfortable preparing a route, managing fuel and adapting plans when conditions change.

It may be less suitable as a first-ever quad ride if the group has little experience with trail navigation or longer days. A shorter, familiar loop can be a better way to learn how the machines handle and how quickly a group progresses. If you are new to Quebec trail riding, [Best Quebec ATV Trails for Beginners](Best Quebec ATV Trails for Beginners) offers a useful starting point for thinking about route difficulty.

The circuit can still work for mixed-experience groups if the plan is built around the least experienced rider. Choose conservative daily sections, identify exit points and agree that anyone can call for a break or a shorter day without being made to feel they are holding everyone back.

It may not be the right choice for a rushed day trip

Trying to squeeze a long circuit into a tight schedule can turn a scenic ride into a race against daylight. If you have only one day, focus on an accessible section and save the full route for a trip with more time. That way, you can enjoy stops, respond to changing trail conditions and avoid pushing tired riders to continue.

A one-day plan should account for loading, unloading, breaks and the return to your vehicle, not just time spent moving. Leave room for a wrong turn or a mechanical delay. If you reach a decision point later than expected, use the backup route rather than trying to make up time by riding faster.

For visitors, check that your registration, insurance and trail access are appropriate before arriving at the trailhead. Review [Quebec Visitors From Ontario](Quebec Visitors From Ontario) if you are crossing the provincial border, and confirm current trail conditions and access rules before setting off.

A final planning checklist

Before riding the Tour of the Summits, make sure you can answer these questions:

1. Which sections of the circuit are open on the dates you plan to ride?
2. Where will you start, park and leave your trailer?
3. How far will the group ride each day, and where can you shorten the route?
4. Where are the likely fuel, food and overnight options?
5. Does every rider have the required documents, equipment and trail access?
6. Has everyone saved the route and agreed on regrouping and emergency plans?
7. Does someone outside the group know your route and expected return time?

The Tour of the Summits is best approached as a planned journey through a changing trail network, not simply a distance to check off. With current trail information, realistic daily stages and a flexible backup plan, you can spend more time enjoying the ride and less time scrambling to solve avoidable problems.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.