Wakefield is known for its artistic and bohemian atmosphere, making it a popular destination for artists, musicians, and outdoor enthusiasts. The community is nested in the Gatineau Valley, surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, rivers, and wooded hills. The Wakefield Covered Bridge is a famous wooden bridge that crosses the Gatineau River and is an iconic landmark of the region. The route from Chelsea to Wakefield is popular with cyclists because of its natural beauty and moderate physical challenge. It's a great way to discover the Outaouais region!

This trip usually starts in Chelsea, a Quaint Village about 15 minutes by car from downtown Ottawa. For your departure from Chelsea, we suggest three places that we particularly like at mappa:

• Café Les Saisons Is a charming little café located in the heart of Chelsea.
• Biscotti & cie coffee Adds to the bucolic landscape of Old Chelsea the touch of gluttony that it lacked. With its homemade products, exquisite desserts and unique meals, Biscotti & cie is a delight for the eyes and the taste buds.
• The Chealsea Pub. Whether you are a beer lover or looking to discover new flavors, you will certainly find something to your liking.

Since it is a loop, arrivals and departures are in the same place. However, it is possible to start this route from Gatineau/Ottawa by taking the Gatineau Pkwy. Starting from Gatineau, you should plan on ~85 km in total and more than 1000m of climbing, so make sure you have between 3 and 4 hours ahead of you. You can also return to Wakefield via Ch Edelweis & Mnt de la Source. On the other hand, be careful. These 2 boulevards are quite busy.

Our favorite stop is in Wakefield at Bluebarn Coffee Roasters. This small café is made up of a close-knit group of friends who came together in Wakefield to pursue their dream of opening a business dedicated to the artisanal roasting of coffee and using techniques to achieve unique flavour profiles.

So they built a barn (which is really blue!) to house the nuanced flavours and unique aromas of each region, for each batch and each of the coffee beans. Their modus operandi is to work hard, have fun and share their friendly atmosphere with the community of coffee lovers!

The region is known for its rapid changes in weather conditions. Be sure to check the weather before you leave so you don't have any surprises along the way! It's always a good idea to bring extra layers (ex: stow away vest).

The second section of the trip has several good climbs, so be sure to stay strong and carry water and food as needed.