Eastern Townships Lakes & Gorges Weekend
A weekend getaway to the lakeside towns southeast of Montreal, featuring Mount Orford, a monastery, Coaticook, and murals
A classic countryside weekend trip for Montrealers. Start from Magog to loop around the lake, head up Mount Orford, walk the suspension bridge in Coaticook, and finally admire the murals in Sherbrooke before heading home. The pace is relaxed, with country inns and local farms easily accessible along the way. Autumn foliage is spectacular in early October. The dark sky reserve at Mont-Mégantic requires an extra two-hour detour and is excluded from this weekend itinerary.
Peak autumn foliage is around early October; book weekend inns in advance and check the cable car schedule beforehand.
Day by day
Day 1 · Magog & Mount Orford
Sherbrooke & Eastern Townships（Mont-Orford National Park、Magog & Lake Memphremagog）
Drive from Montreal along Autoroute 10 to Magog, approx. 1.5 hours, then another 15 minutes to the foot of the mountain.
Stay: Magog
Day 2 · The Abbey & Coaticook Suspension Bridge
Sherbrooke & Eastern Townships（Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac、Gorge de Coaticook & Foresta Lumina、Laiterie de Coaticook、North Hatley & Lake Massawippi）
Drive from Magog to the abbey, 30 minutes, then to Coaticook, approx. 1 hour; head north to North Hatley, 40 minutes.
The Gorge suspension bridge trail is about 3.5 km; wear non-slip shoes.
Stay: North Hatley
Day 3 · Sherbrooke Murals & Return
Sherbrooke & Eastern Townships（Sherbrooke Murals Circuit、Lac des Nations） → Montreal
Drive from North Hatley to Sherbrooke, approx. 25 minutes, then return to Montreal, approx. 1 hour 45 minutes.