Gravelvino: Gravel Cycling at Its Best Between Sutton and Dunham
A post by By Jessie Jolin of l'Atelier Touristique
Share This
If you're looking for a gravel cycling itinerary in the Eastern Townships, the Gravelvino circuit in Sutton might just be one of your best options!
It was on a beautiful spring Saturday that I recruited my partner to pedal this route, which runs mostly on gravel roads. Just a few turns of the pedals after leaving Sutton, the elevation starts making itself known along Dyer Road. Pavement quickly gives way to well-packed dirt roads, and a mountainous horizon unfolds before your eyes.
On Macey Road, two stops are a must: the first at Ferme Sugaree, where a farmers' market is held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — chef Nick Hodge, co-owner of the farm, is also in the kitchen to serve up delicious vegetarian tacos made from the week's harvest; the second at Alpagas Sutton to visit the farm, meet its adorable alpacas, and browse the shop.
The route then follows Miltimore Road, a little bumpy, stretching in a long straight line toward Cowansville. At the next intersection, we veer slightly off the main trail to take a look at the round barn of West Brome, located on private property but clearly visible from the road — a detour of barely two kilometres round trip.
The next section along Beattle Road puts both legs and lungs to the test, with a grade approaching 14%. What follows is a true rollercoaster over the next four kilometres. You feel far from civilization on this quiet, sparsely populated road — which makes the presence of La Colline aux Bleuets all the more surprising: an organic blueberry farm that also offers a two-room suite for overnight stays. The tranquility of the place speaks for itself!
Dunham, a welcome stop
As you approach Dunham, the terrain eases and offers a well-earned break. On the main street, stop in at Bernard le boulanger for a snack, best enjoyed in the park behind town hall. Dining options are plentiful in the area: Dunham Smokehouse, La Bodega, fine grocer La Rumeur affamée, Brasserie Dunham, or the Clos Ste-Croix vineyard.
On the way back
After this well-deserved break, the route heads back toward Sutton. A solid climb awaits on McCullough Road, but the effort is rewarded with a stop at Vignoble du Ruisseau. The setting is stunning and lends itself perfectly to a wine tasting or a meal from chef Ronan Ulliac, whose bistro-style cuisine is refined and thoughtfully crafted.
The rest of the route goes by quickly. The wheels find pavement again, and after one last short but steep climb, comes the final descent into the village. The view of the Sutton mountains is breathtaking. The last two kilometres bring you back to civilization, buzzing with life on this spring evening. Our odometer reads a total of 53 km, and while the official route profile on the RWGPS platform lists a positive elevation gain of 517 m, our actual total elevation gain comes in closer to 958 m — a significant difference… that you'll feel in your legs!
Looking for a post-ride spot?
Sutton has a few great options to wrap up the day! Beer lovers will enjoy Auberge Sutton Brouërie or Microbrasserie À L'Abordage. Otherwise, several terraces are perfect for stretching out the apéro well into dinner.
The route at a glance
Departure: Curling Sutton parking lot
Distance: 50 km
Level: Intermediate to difficult
Translated by AI