Townships Trail
125 years of history brought to life, looks like a nice plan !
Whether in summer or winter, embark on a journey to discover the traces left by American and British pioneers by traveling along the Chemin des Cantons – The Townships Trail, a 430 km-long tourist route with clear signage!
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or seeking an escape, every kilometer of this historic path has the potential to amaze you!
HERITAGE : BUILD, NATURAL, CULTURAL
The Townships Trail invites you to follow in the footsteps of the first waves of settlers: Americans, Loyalists, Scots, and Irish who established themselves at the end of the18th and during the 19th centuries. As you wander along, you’ll discover the built and cultural heritage shaped by American and British influences—one of the region’s most distinctive features. Along the way, be sure to follow the blue signs of the Chemin des Cantons to make sure you don’t miss anything !
THEMATIC ROUTES IN THE HEART OF THE TOWNSHIPS TRAIL
From one itinerary to another, dive into the treasures of the Townships Trail! Each of the 8 trails focuses on a unique theme and allows you to discover a particular facet of the region’s rich history.
- To marvel at the beauty of the landscapes, venture onto the Panorama Route
- To discover exceptional heritage: the Round Barns and Covered Bridges Route
- To explore the founding places of the Eastern Townships: the Founder’s Route
- To enjoy English-style tea in an authentic setting: The English Tea Route
- To demystify the region’s history through architecture, natural heritage, and the populations of yesterday and today: The Heritage Route
- To dive into the crafts that shaped the region: The Expertise Route
- To admire manors, mansions, Victorian houses, ancestral homes and other vintage beauties built between 1850 and 1920: The Ancestral Homes Trail
- To get yourself in the festive atmosphere of the holiday season: the Christmas Markets Route
STORIES IN A CAN: HUMOROUS AUDIO CAPSULES
Combining history and humor, the audio capsules of the Townships Trail will teach you more about the region’s fascinating past. From the heritage of the Abenakis, to World War I, and the Frenchification of the region, the characters Edith and Jonathan will guide you through hundreds of years of history in 10 capsules, each lasting 4 minutes. A fun way to learn surprising facts!
THE STOPS
The very essence of heritage influenced by American and British traditions, the 27 stops are located at historic sites are the perfect places to take a break to discover our museums, cultural sites, heritage interpretation centers, as well as our downtown areas and charming village hearts.
These stops are marked on the map, which you can download or obtain at our tourist office.
BROMONT PANORAMIC ROUTES
Did you know that in Bromont, several roads also offer stunning panoramic views? We propose a 32 km route to discover our beautiful Bromont landscapes.
CUSTOM ITINERARY
Would you like us to create a custom itinerary for you? Visit our Tourist Information Office and meet with our advisors, who can also provide you with documentation. The office is open every day (except Christmas and New Year’s Day).
