# Route Blanche

The route Blanche (English: White Road) is a snowmobile trail in the Basse-Côte-Nord region (Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent), in the administrative region of Côte-Nord, Quebec.

## Understand

The purpose of the Route Blanche is to provide a means of travel to residents of the Basse-Côte-Nord in winter. In fact, it is the only continuous land link between Kegaska and Vieux-Fort since the Basse-Côte-Nord territory is not connected to the highway of Quebec. Route Blanche is maintained by the Ministère du Transport du Québec and extends over nearly 525 km (326 mi). The route may vary from winter to winter, depending on the obstacles (e.g., lakes, rivers) and weather conditions.

## Steps

| Departure | Destination | Distance (in km) | Remarks |
| Natashquan | Kegaska | 24 | Via Pointe-Parent. Crossing the Natashquan, Longue and Kegaska rivers. |
| Kegaska | La Romaine | 58 | Crossing of the Musquaro, Musquanousse and Washicoutai rivers. |
| La Romaine | Chevery | 97 | Crossing the Romaine, Coacoachou, Coconipi, Etamamiou, Darby and La Croix rivers. |
| Chevery | Harrington Harbour | 18 | Crossing the Netagamiou River. Note: a secondary path of about 6 km connects the Route Blanche to the southeast to Harrington-Harbour. |
| Harrington Harbour | Tête-à-la-Baleine | 35 | Crossing the Petit Mécatina river. |
| Tête-à-la-Baleine | Mutton Bay | 29 | Crossing the Gros Mécatina river. Note: a secondary path of about ten kilometers connects the Route Blanche towards the southeast to Mutton-Bay. |
| Mutton Bay | La Tabatière | 35 | Note: a secondary path of about 4 km connects the Route Blanche south to La Tabatière. |
| La Tabatière | Saint-Augustin | 58 | Via Pakuashipi. Crossing the Véco, Kécarpoui and Saint-Augustin rivers. |
| Saint-Augustin | Rivière-Saint-Paul | 88 | Via Vieux-Fort. Crossing the Coxipi, Chécatica, Napetipi and Vieux Fort rivers. |
| Rivière-Saint-Paul | Blanc-Sablon | 83 | Via Middle Bay and Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon. Crossing the Saint-Paul, Brador and Blanc-Sablon rivers. |

## Go

The Route Blanche is generally signposted; however, some trail segments may be insufficiently marked.

### Main points of service

In winter, the Route Blanche has the following service points:
| Locality | Accommodation | Meal | Gas | Mechanical repair | Cellular network |
| Natashquan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes 5G |
| Kegaska | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes 5G |
| La Romaine | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes 5G |
| Chevery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes 4G and 5G |
| Harrington Harbour | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes 5G |
| Côte-Nord-du-Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes 5G |
| Mutton Bay | No | No | Yes | No | Yes 4G and 5G |
| La Tabatière | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes 5G |
| Saint-Augustin | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes 4G and 5G |
| Vieux-Fort | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes 5G |
| Rivière-Saint-Paul | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes 4G |
| Blanc-Sablon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes 5G |
Note: Cell phone network coverage verified July 4, 2022.
The trails conditions of the Route Blanche are regularly updated during the winter season by Transports Québec at: Route Blanche

## Stay safe

On Route Blanche on the Lower North Shore, snowmobilers must plan to be independent in terms of travel, accommodation, food, repairs, first aid, communication (e.g., satellite phones, geolocation) and safety in general (e.g., wild animals). In winter, the essential snowmobile equipment according to the Ministry includes:
* spare parts (belt, spark plug, headlight bulb, etc.),
* firelighter, lighter and matches,
* candles,
* metal container,
* rope (6 metres) 133 mm in diameter,
* dry food for one day,
* flash light,
* canvas tarpaulin,
* blankets,
* petrol can.
The Department also recommends a few tools: kit provided with the snowmobile, knife or penknife, shovel, ax or hatchet. For inexperienced travelers, the presence of an accompanying guide is recommended.
The Route Blanche circuit has 21 refuges maintained by the Ministère des Transports du Québec. These huts have a wood-burning stove and firewood. These shelters should only be used in an emergency, for example, if the weather conditions deteriorate. Users must replace used items or notify a Ministère des Transports office.

## Go next
### Other tourist routes

* Route des Baleines (English: "Whale Route"), a tourist route of Quebec, which follows the northern coast of the estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in the region of the Côte-Nord, over 1,250 km (780 mi), between Tadoussac and Blanc-Sablon. This tourist route offers opportunities for observing marine mammals, on the coast, in group excursions or in light boats (e.g., sea kayak). This road also includes information centers on marine mammals (eg museum) for public education.
* Route Nature aux mille délices (English: "Nature route with a thousand delights"), a tourist route in Quebec, designated "gourmet route", aimed at highlighting the agrotourism products of the North Shore. It is located on the Route des Baleines, between Tadoussac and Blanc-Sablon.