Plateau, Mount Royal and Hidden Gems Bike Tour Montreal

Old Montreal and the Old Port

The tour starts in Old Montreal, the historic heart of the city founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie on the banks of the St Lawrence River. Its cobbled streets are lined with grey stone warehouses, banks and churches from the 18th and 19th centuries, and the twin towers of the Notre-Dame Basilica rise over Place d'Armes. Next to it, the Old Port has turned the former docks into a riverside park with wide promenades.

Your guide explains how the small French settlement grew into a major trading port and how the old town was saved and restored in the 20th century. Starting here means you meet the city at its roots before heading uphill, and after the tour you can return with your bike to explore more of Old Montreal on your own, which is one of the best things to do in Montreal.

Downtown and the McGill University campus

From the old town the route climbs into downtown Montreal, where office towers stand beside Victorian churches and greystone mansions. You ride onto the campus of McGill University, founded in 1821 and one of the most respected universities in Canada. Its grey limestone buildings, green lawns and tree-lined main avenue sit right at the foot of Mount Royal, a peaceful green space in the middle of the city.

Your guide shares stories about student life, the old Golden Square Mile, where the city's wealthiest families once built their mansions, and the way downtown grew up the slope of the mountain. It is also a good place for photos, with the towers of downtown on one side and the forest of Mount Royal rising on the other.

Mount Royal Park

Mount Royal Park covers the hill that gave Montreal its name. Its wide gravel paths wind through maple and oak forest, past lawns where locals picnic and play, and up towards lookouts with sweeping views of the city. The park was created in the late 19th century and remains the favourite outdoor escape for Montrealers in every season.

On a classic bike the climb is a real workout, but your guide sets a steady pace with stops along the way; with the e-bike upgrade the hill becomes easy. Many visitors ask if Mount Royal is worth visiting on a short trip: the answer is yes, especially in autumn, when the forest turns red and gold, or on a summer Sunday, when music and drumming fill the eastern side of the park.

Plateau Mont-Royal and hidden local spots

On the other side of the mountain lies the Plateau Mont-Royal, a neighbourhood of brick houses with exterior spiral staircases, colourful balconies, independent shops and cafés. It is one of the most photographed parts of Montreal and the place where locals come to stroll, shop and meet friends. Street art and large murals brighten many walls, especially near Saint-Laurent Boulevard.

This is where the tour reveals its hidden treasures: quiet green alleys, small squares and favourite local spots that most visitors never find. You also stop at a gourmet food shop to sample local specialties, a tasty break before the ride back. The route then returns towards Old Montreal, completing about 12 kilometres in three hours, and you keep your bike until closing time to carry on exploring.