Route Blanche

The route Blanche (English: White Road) is a snowmobile trail in the Basse-Côte-Nord region (Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent), in the administrative region of Côte-Nord, Quebec.

Understand
The purpose of the Route Blanche is to provide a means of travel to residents of the Basse-Côte-Nord in winter. In fact, it is the only continuous land link between Kegaska and Vieux-Fort since the Basse-Côte-Nord territory is not connected to the highway of Quebec. Route Blanche is maintained by the Ministère du Transport du Québec and extends over nearly. The route may vary from winter to winter, depending on the obstacles (e.g., lakes, rivers) and weather conditions.

Go
The Route Blanche is generally signposted; however, some trail segments may be insufficiently marked.

In winter, the Route Blanche has the following service points: Note: Cell phone network coverage verified July 4, 2022.
 * Main points of service

The trails conditions of the Route Blanche are regularly updated during the winter season by Transports Québec at: Route Blanche

Stay safe
On Route Blanche on the Lower North Shore, snowmobilers must plan to be independent in terms of travel, accommodation, food, repairs, first aid, communication (e.g., satellite phones, geolocation) and safety in general (e.g., wild animals). In winter, the essential snowmobile equipment according to the Ministry includes:
 * spare parts (belt, spark plug, headlight bulb, etc.),
 * firelighter, lighter and matches,
 * candles,
 * metal container,
 * rope (6 metres) 133 mm in diameter,
 * dry food for one day,
 * flash light,
 * canvas tarpaulin,
 * blankets,
 * petrol can.

The Department also recommends a few tools: kit provided with the snowmobile, knife or penknife, shovel, ax or hatchet. For inexperienced travelers, the presence of an accompanying guide is recommended.

The Route Blanche circuit has 21 refuges maintained by the Ministère des Transports du Québec. These huts have a wood-burning stove and firewood. These shelters should only be used in an emergency, for example, if the weather conditions deteriorate. Users must replace used items or notify a Ministère des Transports office.

Go next


Other tourist routes

 * Route des Baleines (English: "Whale Route"), a tourist route of Quebec, which follows the northern coast of the estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in the region of the Côte-Nord, over, between Tadoussac and Blanc-Sablon. This tourist route offers opportunities for observing marine mammals, on the coast, in group excursions or in light boats (e.g., sea kayak). This road also includes information centers on marine mammals (eg museum) for public education.
 * Route Nature aux mille délices (English: "Nature route with a thousand delights"), a tourist route in Quebec, designated "gourmet route", aimed at highlighting the agrotourism products of the North Shore. It is located on the Route des Baleines, between Tadoussac and Blanc-Sablon.