Laurier-Station: Railway History and Trails

Laurier-Station lies at the intersection of the railway line, Route 271, and Autoroute 20. Autoroute 20 connects the municipality with larger centres such as Québec City and Lévis. Its history and recreational activities give the town several different facets: the railway played a part in its development, while hiking and snowshoeing trails and activities at the Complexe Récréatif offer more ideas for planning your trip.

Railway History in the Townscape

Laurier-Station’s history is closely linked to the construction of the section of the Intercolonial Railway that connected Montréal with Halifax. The station was rebuilt after a train accident in July 1918 and remains part of the townscape. Laurier-Station is also home to the only station on its territory that is still in operation. Both the historic railway connection and the station shape the picture the town presents of its railway history.

Another trace of local history can be found in Parc Beaudoin: a plaque there tells the story of Laurier-Station and pioneer Thomas Caron. The station and the plaque highlight different aspects: one focuses on railway history, the other on the town’s history and a person associated with it. If you enjoy learning about a place’s development while travelling, you can include both topics in planning your interests.

Hiking and Snowshoeing Trails

The Sentiers de Laurier-Station comprise almost four kilometres of developed hiking trails. They cross private land, are free of charge, and are accessible year-round. These details make the trails a distinct way to plan time outdoors: they are laid out as hiking trails, and access is not limited to a particular season. Their almost four-kilometre length also gives you a concrete sense of scale when choosing activities.

Laurier-Station has more than 4.8 kilometres of trails for snowshoeing. There are two access points: one at the intersection of Rue des Cèdres and Rue des Plaines, and another via Rue des Pins. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on these trails. Anyone planning a winter activity will find a stated trail length, specific access points, and a clear rule on use.

Winter activities also include the slide at Parc des Alliances. It can be used free of charge when snow conditions make it safe to do so. This condition is part of the activity: whether the slide can be used depends on the prevailing snow conditions. It offers a different winter experience from the snowshoe trails, for which distances and access points are provided.

Recreation at the Complexe Récréatif

At the Complexe Récréatif, the “Pumptrack, skate-parc et basketball” zone includes a 126-metre-long pump track. Its specific length helps distinguish this facility from the trails in town: here, the focus is on a clearly identified pump track, while the Sentiers and snowshoe trails are routes for hiking and snowshoeing. The zone offers another focal point for travellers who want to consider recreational activities when choosing where to stay.

The Complexe Récréatif also offers the public free use of the swimming pool, with various options for recreational swimming. Together with the pump track, this shows that the recreational activities are not limited to trails. If the members of your travel group have different interests, you can weigh the town’s history, outdoor activities, and its different recreational options as separate considerations when planning your stay.

More town pages: Sainte-Agathe-de-Lotbinière, Saint-Antoine-De-Tilly, Saint-Apollinaire, Leclercville.

Back to the main travel overview: Lotbinière.