Do you enjoy exploring the great outdoors on an ATV, side-by-side or snowmobile? Experiencing Québec’s wide-open spaces aboard off-road vehicles can be fun, but it’s important to know certain rules before riding in Hydro-Québec’s rights-of-way.
A right‑of‑way is not public land
Rights-of-way are areas designated for Hydro‑Québec to install, maintain and protect its power lines. They often cross agricultural land, forests, wetlands and sometimes even private property. They are not shortcuts or makeshift trails!
Even though these corridors may seem clear, they come with risks. And entering them comes with responsibilities. Unauthorized vehicle use can hinder maintenance activities, damage sensitive equipment or lead to legal consequences, especially if you are on private land without permission.
Riding responsibly and safely in a right‑of‑way
To enjoy this activity while respecting infrastructure and ensuring everyone’s safety, adopt responsible behaviour. Here are the rules to follow:
- Respect speed limits and always maintain a distance of at least nine metres from towers. This protects both your safety and the equipment that may be hidden under snow or vegetation.
- Never cross a fence, barrier or no-entry sign: they are there for a reason.
- Use only trails marked by a recognized club that has an official agreement with Hydro‑Québec.
- If you must cross a right-of-way, do so at a right angle in an authorized area.
- Don’t ride in an unmarked right-of-way and never enter fenced-off areas.
- Don’t leave deep tracks or obstacles, as these could hinder access for Hydro-Québec crews in case of an emergency.
In short, by being attentive to your surroundings and respectful of rights-of-way, you can enjoy your activity while contributing to the safety of the power system.
An activity to be practised with care
Hydro-Québec works with snowmobile and ATV clubs to create safe trails. As a user of these modes of transportation, you have a role to play. By respecting the rules, you are protecting your own safety and the safety of others, as well as helping to ensure the reliability of the power grid.
