Discover Québec City, One Kilometre at a Time
For me, running is a way to discover a city, reflect and recharge. I want to share my favourite routes so that you, too, can experience what makes Québec City so beautiful. And when my schedule allows, I would be delighted to lead an outing with your group.
Caroline Lepage President and CEO, Québec City Convention Centre
The Classic
5 km | Québec City’s Must-See Sights
An ideal route for a first taste of Québec City or a morning run before the plenary session. The Classic takes you to the most iconic sites in Upper Town.
- Distance: Approximately 5 km
- Level: Accessible
- Highlights:
- Spectacular views of the Château Frontenac and the river from Pierre-Dugua-De Mons Terrace
- Crossing the Plains of Abraham
- Optional coffee stop at Musette, a gathering place for the running and cycling community
- Route: Québec City Convention Centre → Tourny Fountain → National Assembly → Grande Allée → Café Musette → Plains of Abraham → Pierre-Dugua-De Mons Terrace → Dufferin Terrace → Saint-Louis Street → Sainte-Ursule Street → Dauphine Street → Québec City Convention Centre
The Signature | 10 km
The Signature is a more athletic route that I particularly enjoy for its blend of heritage, green spaces and iconic neighbourhoods. It is a wonderful way to stretch your legs after a long day of conferences while discovering several sides of Québec City.
- Distance: Approximately 10 km
- Level: Intermediate to advanced
- Highlights:
- Running through the historic streets of Old Québec
- Views of the Château Frontenac and a passage through the Governors’ Garden
- A segment on the Plains of Abraham and a chance to discover Cartier Avenue and the Montcalm neighbourhood
- Route: Québec City Convention Centre → Saint-Jean Street → Couillard Street → Chemin des Remparts → Rue du Fort → Château Frontenac → Governors’ Garden → Sainte-Geneviève Avenue → Chemin Saint-Louis → Rue du Parloir → Sainte-Anne Street → D’Auteuil Street → Chemin Saint-Louis → Plains of Abraham/Georges-VI Avenue/Ontario Avenue → Mérici Loop → Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec → Cartier Avenue → Saint-Jean Street → Québec City Convention Centre
Old Québec, the Plains and Central Neighbourhoods
The Challenge
15 km | The Grand Tour of Québec City
The Challenge is for experienced runners who want to enjoy a longer outing. I suggest a route that combines Upper Town and the Plains of Abraham.
You will descend toward the river along the Côte Gilmour multi-use trail before climbing back up via the Bois-de-Coulonge staircase. It is the most demanding of the three routes, but it will also let you discover a completely different side of Québec City.
- Distance: Approximately 15 km
- Level: Advanced
- Highlights:
- A complete route combining the Plains of Abraham, the river and Upper Town
- A long stretch along the St. Lawrence River
- Descent via the Côte Gilmour multi-use trail
- A passage through Bois-de-Coulonge
- Ideal for discovering several sides of Québec City in a single outing
- Route: Québec City Convention Centre → Tourny Fountain → Grande Allée → Plains of Abraham → Ontario Avenue → Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec → Georges-VI Avenue → Côte Gilmour multi-use trail → Bois-de-Coulonge staircase → Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge → Grande Allée → Des Braves Avenue → René-Lévesque Boulevard → Brown Avenue → Grande Allée → Cartier Avenue → Saint-Jean Street → Rue des Remparts → Rue de Buade → Sainte-Anne Street → Rue du Fort → Saint-Louis Street → Sainte-Ursule Street → Sainte-Anne Street → D’Auteuil Street → Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale → Québec City Convention Centre
Ready to Run Québec City?
Choose your route, review the course before you leave and discover Québec City at your own pace. All my routes start and finish at the Convention Centre.
Good to Know
The routes follow streets, trails and public spaces. Conditions may vary depending on the season, construction and ongoing events. I recommend reviewing the route and current conditions before setting out.
