Located in the St. Lawrence River, Quebec City is one of the most beautiful cities in North America. It is the capital of the province of Quebec and is primarily french-speaking. It’s also one of the oldest cities in North America, dating back to 1608. The setting is unique, with ramparts being the only fortified city walls remaining north of Mexico, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Old Quebec sits on a promontory (there’s an ‘Upper’ and ‘Lower’ city). Important landmarks include the Battelfields (Plains of Abraham), the Quebec Parliament, the Museum of Civilization, and the National Museum of Fine Arts. This is our guide to the best places to run in Quebec City, Quebec.
Running in Quebec City is a treat. Most of the best runs are centrally located, near visitor hotels. Highlights include a run along the Plains of Abraham, a ‘runseeing’ tour of Old Quebec, wonderful running paths along the St. Charles River and the St. Lawrence River, and a couple of great parks, such as the Promenade de Champlain and the Bois de Coulogne. Quebec is very visitor and tourist-friendly, and trails are well signed.
Weather is a major factor in Quebec City running. While summers are warm, winters are among the coldest and snowiest of any major city in the world. There is typically snow on ground from November to April. So, bring your Yak-Traks! That said, Quebec embraces its winters, and people are out there on gorgeous winter days. The city also does a great job of snow clearing.
