Day Trips from Sherbrooke

Day Trips from Sherbrooke

The best excursions and trips you can do in a day

Sherbrooke sits at the confluence of the Saint-François and Magog rivers, an ideal launchpad for day-long escapes into the Eastern Townships' patchwork of rolling hills, vineyard valleys, and heritage villages. Within an hour's drive from downtown Sherbrooke, you'll swap city streets for country roads that twist past red barns, maple groves, and lakes reflecting autumn's fire. The beauty of basing yourself in Sherbrooke is the compact geography, you can sip sparkling wine at noon, hike to a waterfall by three, and be back in time for dinner at a riverside bistro. What's notable about Sherbrooke's day trip potential is the sheer variety packed into this corner of Quebec. One direction leads to the wine route through Dunham and Frelighsburg, where English and French influences merge in unexpected ways. Another takes you into the Appalachian foothills for some of the province's best hiking, while a third option lands you in postcard-perfect villages like North Hatley, where clapboard houses frame views of Lake Massawippi. The distances are manageable enough that you're never rushed. Yet each destination feels like a complete change of scene.

Full-Day Trips

Worth dedicating a whole day to explore.

Mont-Orford National Park

$15-20

The park's three peaks offer hiking trails through maple and yellow birch forests, with summit views stretching across the Eastern Townships. Lake Stukely's sandy beach provides a perfect midday break.

Distance
45 km
Travel Time
35 minutes by car
Total Duration
8-9 hours
Transport
Drive via A-10 E then QC-141 N, or take Estrie public bus #5 on weekends
Summit views from Mont Orford Lake Stukely swimming Fall foliage drives
Best for: Nature lovers and photographers
Start with Mont Chauve trail early, fewer people and better wildlife spotting

Wine Route - Dunham to Frelighsburg

$40-60

This rolling countryside route strings together family-run vineyards producing award-winning cool-climate wines. The terroir here produces exceptional ice wines and late harvest varieties.

Distance
60-70 km loop
Travel Time
45 minutes to Dunham
Total Duration
8-10 hours
Transport
Drive via QC-108 E, or join Sutton's wine tour shuttle (reservations essential)
Vignoble de l'Orpailleur tastings Frelighsburg village bakery Country road cycling
Best for: Wine enthusiasts and food lovers
Book Vignoble Chapelle Ste-Agnès tour at 11 AM, includes chapel access and barrel tasting

Magog and Lake Memphremagog

$25-35

This lakeside town blends resort charm with authentic Quebec character. The boardwalk buzzes with activity while the surrounding hills offer hiking and panoramic views.

Distance
40 km
Travel Time
30 minutes by car
Total Duration
8 hours
Transport
Drive via A-10 E, or STM bus #7 (hourly service)
La Pointe Merry boardwalk Mont Orford lookout trails Local microbreweries
Best for: Food lovers and water enthusiasts
Rent kayaks from Magog Marine, paddle to the blue heron nesting area at sunset

North Hatley and Lake Massawippi

$30-45

This storybook village on the lake's western shore has attracted artists and writers for generations. Victorian mansions line the water while galleries hide in converted boathouses.

Distance
35
Travel Time
25 minutes by car
Total Duration
7-8 hours
Transport
Drive via QC-143 N and Chemin North Hatley, limited public transport
Auberge Hatley Manor Village art galleries Lake Massawippi cruise
Best for: Art lovers and romantics
Visit Galerie Jeux d'Art at 2 PM when the owner's making maple syrup candy demonstrations

Coaticook Gorge and Suspension Bridge

$20-30

Home to North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge, this dramatic gorge cuts through granite walls with hiking trails offering views of the Coaticook River far below.

Distance
55 km
Travel Time
40 minutes by car
Total Duration
7-8 hours
Transport
Drive via A-55 N then QC-141 E, no direct public transport
Suspension bridge walk Gorge hiking trails Local ice cream at Laiterie Coaticook
Best for: Adventure seekers and families
Cross the bridge at 10 AM, groups tend to arrive after 11, making photos impossible

Granby Zoo and Amazoo Water Park

$45-55

Quebec's largest zoo pairs exotic animals with a water park that uses heated water from the adjacent geothermal facility, making it swimmable even in cooler months.

Distance
50 km
Travel Time
35 minutes by car
Total Duration
9-10 hours
Transport
Drive via A-10 W, or CITVR bus #1 (weekend service)
Yukon Valley habitat Amazoo Water Park Dinozoo animatronic exhibit
Best for: Families with children
Start at the zoo at 9 AM, then hit the water park after 3 PM when crowds thin

Half-Day Options

Shorter excursions when time is limited.

Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook Discovery Trail

$12-15

The shorter 3.5 km discovery trail gives you the bridge experience without the full day commitment. Good for a morning escape from Sherbrooke.

Duration
3-4 hours
Transport
30-minute drive from Sherbrooke
Suspension bridge views

Granby's Centre-Ville and Yamaska River

$8-12

This compact historic center offers heritage architecture, riverside parks, and the Saturday farmers market that draws vendors from across the region.

Duration
3-4 hours
Transport
25-minute drive or CITVR bus #1
Saturday farmers market

Val-Jalbert Historic Village

$20-25

This reconstructed 1920s company town sits beneath a 72-meter waterfall. The guided tour through the paper mill ruins brings industrial history to life.

Duration
4-5 hours
Transport
45-minute drive via QC-169 N
Waterfall and village tour

Sutton's Art Galleries and Village Walk

$10-15

This mountain town's main street packs a dozen galleries into three blocks, plus the Sutton Museum of Communications housed in an old telephone exchange.

Duration
3-4 hours
Transport
35-minute drive via QC-139 S
Gallery hopping route

Day Trip Tips

Make the most of your excursions.

  • Leave Sherbrooke by 8 AM on summer weekends, traffic backs up at the A-10/A-55 interchange by 9:30
  • Download the Estrie transit app for real-time bus updates. Weekend service to Magog runs hourly but fills up
  • Bring cash for vineyard tastings, many smaller operations don't take cards, and ATMs are scarce in wine country
  • October foliage drives book up fast. Reserve rental cars two weeks ahead during peak color
  • Pack layers regardless of Sherbrooke weather forecasts, the mountains create their own microclimates
  • Most attractions close on Mondays outside peak summer season. Plan accordingly
  • The Coaticook suspension bridge offers half-price admission after 4 PM weekdays
  • Check Eastern Townships tourism website for seasonal festivals, many villages host maple or apple celebrations

Book These Day Trips

Top-rated excursions you can book now.

Sherbrooke: Nordic Spa Thermal Experience

Sherbrooke: Nordic Spa Thermal Experience

4.0 9 reviews from $53

Savor a refreshing and invigorating thermal experience at Strøm Nordic Spa in Sherbrooke. Uncover this oasis set on the shores of the Lac des Nations and take a moment to recharge, reset, and relax.

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