5 activités en famille pour profiter du grand air dans Brome-Missisquoi

Are you keen on seeing your kids stay active throughout the summer? In Brome-Missisquoi, you won’t be standing still for long! Here, dynamic families find plenty to do from morning till night. Tubing down a river, climbing along hidden cascades, riding pumptracks or jumping into a lake… You’ll discover a wide range of exciting activities to keep the whole family moving.

I’m sharing with you my 5 best go-to ideas to enjoy the great outdoors as a family, to stretch your legs and cool off under the warm sun in the Eastern Townships.

1. Float Down the Missisquoi River in a Tube at Au Diable Vert

The mountain resort Au Diable Vert in Sutton offers a perfect, very original activity for families by inviting them to float down the Missisquoi River on an inner tube. You can choose from a single or a double tube if your child is under 10 years of age. When you arrive at the site, you’ll receive the necessary instructions before being handed your tubes and lifejackets. You’ll need to walk about 10-15 minutes down a path to a small beach, where you’ll head out on the water.

Then, you’ll be transported by the slow-flowing currant for about 35 to 45 minutes. The river is fairly shallow here, so no worries. It’s simple, there’s nothing to stress about and the kids love it! Mine spent the whole trip pushing us to go faster and splashing everyone. We went down a second time, they were laughing so hard!

2. Hike to the Marmites aux Sorcières

Still in Sutton, the Marmites aux Sorcières trail (The Witches’ Cauldrons!) is part of the Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton network and is easily accessible to children as they hike their way through a series of natural pools and cascades under a canopy of trees. In all, the forest path to the “cauldrons” takes about 20-30 minutes (to and from) to complete. However, once you arrive, you could stay for hours on end! The spot is truly magnificent and really stimulates your kids’ imaginations.

For a longer walk, the trail connects with Sutton’s Village-Mountain Trail. Visitors need to pay a daily access fee of $8 starting at 17 years of age +.

3. Introduce Yourself to Mountain Biking in Bromont

For families who enjoy mountain bike outings, Bromont is known to be a paradise for the sport. The Centre national de cyclisme de Bromont offers different mountain biking initiation circuits, ideal for youngsters (or parents wanting to try!). We also had a lot of fun riding on the pumptracks here, as well as exploring the surrounding trails. Our kids were so proud to show off their skills on the different runs.

Then, if you feel ready to take on a bigger challenge, head to Mont Oak’s network of trails in the Parc des Sommets, or Bromont, montagne d’expériences to explore their forest trails. For sure, you’ll find something to please everyone here.

4. Cycle along the Shores of Lake Brome

The Lake Brome trail is a multifunctional path set alongside the water. The route will take you to the heart of the town of Knowlton. You’ll share the trail with other hikers and cyclists. It’s the perfect option for a delightful family outing.

Families with younger children, like us, will find the ideal place to start out in the Argyll parking area (20 chem. Argyll, Foster). From here, you’ll pedal your way to the village of Knowlton, but, of course, you’ll enjoy a long pause at Douglass Beach. The entire ride covers about 9 km (to and from). The route is flat, safe, shaded and very pretty!

5. Cool Off at Lake Brome’s Douglass Beach

Douglass Beach is one of the three beaches you must discover in the Brome-Missisquoi region. Here you’ll enjoy a small sandy beach with a well-delineated swimming area supervised by lifeguards.

It’s the perfect place to end a warm summer day. The beach is located directly by the Lake-Brome multifunctional path, near the town of Knowlton.

You find picnic tables and a snack canteen as well. You won’t be able to rent any nautical equipment here, although there is a launch for your SUP, your kayak or canoe. Anyway, your kids will have plenty of fun building sand castles and playing in the water!

Pedal, climb, jump in the water, laugh, repeat… This is what an active family vacation looks like in Brome-Missisquoi. Here you’ll find activities for all ages, beautiful venues and, above all, time together, away from the stresses of everyday life.

So, are you ready to put on your bathing suits and bike helmets to discover the region?