25+ of the best hiking and parks in and around Montreal
Montreal is home to some of the most spectacular hiking and parks in North America, and this list highlights some of the best.
Hiking and parks in and around Montreal are abundant and diverse, providing everything from family fun to a challenge.
Whether you want to escape the city for a weekend or get away for a week, here are 25 of our favourite spots to spend your time in this beautiful city
The best hiking and parks in and around Montreal
Mount Royal
Drive time from Montreal: What drive time?
What if I don’t have a car? It’s no issue at all. Make the most of your time at this Montreal tourist site, which is a bit more like a walk than a hike but still manages to get your heart pumping.
There’s no need to worry about your winter hiking gear being up to scratch in this arboreal sanctuary, which is stunning year-round.
Off-roading is an option if you want a more challenging experience, in addition to the many routes that wind throughout.
Lachine Canal
Drive time from Montreal: None!
It’s a great way to get some exercise while taking in views of the lake and people-watching along the Lachine Canal, which runs from Old Montreal all the way to Lachine.
It’s a good idea to start at the intersection of McGill Street and de la Commune, then stroll west for as long as you wish before crossing one of the bridges to return to your starting position.
Make Atwater Market your destination for a two-hour stroll from McGill and de la Commune, and pack a picnic lunch.
Parc-nature de l’Île-de-la-Visitation
Drive time from Montreal: None!
There are some of the most historic farmhouses in Montreal, and the Parc Nature de l’Île de la Visitation is a great place to see them. Walk east for about an hour if you begin at Boulevard Gouin and Rue Lajeunesse.
The little inlet at Gouin and Papineau is the final destination. On the other side of Simon Sicard Dam, you’ll find even another fantastic series of trails.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Drive time from Montreal: None!
If you’ve ever been to Montreal, you’ll recognize this park as the location of the La Ronde amusement park, the Formula One Grand Prix and other music events, including Osheaga.
This island park is a refuge just a few metro stations from downtown Montreal, packed with walkways and trails and surrounded by the St. Lawrence River on any day when it isn’t the scene of an outstanding event.
Going off-road and exploring along the water’s edge can lead you to some genuinely wonderful sites that are perfect for a picnic.
Morgan Arboretum
Drive time from Montreal: 30 minutes
McGill University owns and manages this beautiful piece of land in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, a suburb of Montreal, which serves as a teaching and research location as well as a year-round recreational resource for the public.
On the island’s west coast, you’ll find a 245-hectare forest reserve with lakes, contemplation spots, and more than ten kilometers of hiking paths; you’ll never realize you’re only 30 minutes from the city center.
Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park
Drive time from Montreal: 30 minutes
You don’t have to travel far from Montreal to get a taste of Canada’s rough environment.
There are 27 km of hiking routes around five lakes in this national park, the longest of which takes two hours and is less than 30 minutes from downtown.
Visit this dog-friendly park in the fall for stunning views of the changing colors; all of the routes are beginner-friendly save for the more rugged Le Montérégien walk.
Gault Nature Reserve, Mont Saint-Hilaire
Drive time from Montreal: 1 hour
The Mont Saint-Hilaire natural reserve, located just outside of Montreal, is another excellent choice for those looking for less challenging but still rewarding walks.
The area’s many year-round routes are suitable for all levels of hikers. Hikers may explore the mountain’s four peaks, totaling 24 kilometers of mountain routes, all of which provide stunning views.
Mont Tremblant
Drive time from Montreal: 2.5 hours
There is a lot more to Mont Tremblant than its famed ski runs, and residents are aware of this. There are 11 routes to choose from, ranging from pleasant strolls for pets to hard ascents.
It’s a gorgeous year-round destination, but Mont Tremblant is especially stunning in the fall, when the leaves turn a stunning array of vivid oranges, reds, and yellows on the mountaintop.
Mont-Mégantic
Drive time from Montreal: 1 hour
Mount Megantic and neighboring Mount Saint Joseph (both slightly over 1,000 meters above sea level) provide some of the most breathtaking vistas in the region once they’ve been scaled.
There are 20 kilometers of hiking routes in the Parc national du Mont-Mégantic that lead to some of the most breathtaking peak views you’ve seen in photographs.
Because this park is part of the province’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, daytime visits are equally as enjoyable.
Parc national des Grands-Jardins
Drive time from Montreal: 4 hour 30 minutes
Because this national park is so far away from the city, its grandeur makes up for it.
Its 30-kilometer trail network, which includes the summer and winter-accessible Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes, La Chouenne, Le Pioui, and Le Gros-Pin, offers spectacular vistas of everything from the calm taiga and boreal woods to the mountainous terrain.
The best view of the Charlevoix meteorite crater and the Vallée du Gros-Bras may be had from Le Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes.
Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook
Drive time from Montreal: 2 hours 20 minutes
Three hiking paths, as well as a variety of other summer and winter activities—including a multimedia forest light display called Foresta Lumina—can be found in this lovely wilderness playground located just two and a half hours from Montreal near the Vermont border.
This path, “Sentier de la Gorge,” is a great choice if you’re just going to do one trek; it has a suspension bridge that’s the longest in North America.
Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville
Drive time from Montreal: What drive time?
Montreal’s Boucherville islands provide a 21-kilometer network of multipurpose pathways, proving that not every walk must be arduous or exhausting.
The Grande-Rivière walk is often considered to be the greatest way to see the park’s diverse landscapes while not being too difficult. Plan ahead and bring your camping gear if you want to spend the night.
Parc national du Jacques Cartier
Drive time from Montreal: 3 hours 30 minutes
Some of Quebec’s most spectacular glacier sculptures may be seen in this national park just outside ofQuébec City, including theVallée de la Jacques-Cartier, where the Jacques Cartier River flows through a 550-meter deep valley.
There are more than 100 kilometers of hiking paths here, so you’ll want to come back for more than just one visit to see everything this area has to offer.
L’Escapade (Mont Rigaud)
Drive time from Montreal: 1 hour 30 minutes
It’s a must-visit site for both winter and summer travelers. Mont Rigaud’s leisure area, L’Escapade, contains 27 kilometers of hiking routes in addition to its ski slopes.
Cross-country skis or snowshoes in the winter or a bike in the summer may keep you active if that isn’t enough. There are also many additional sports to choose from.
Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton
Drive time from Montreal: 2 hours
Two lakes, two ponds, and many kilometers of paths abound in the Eastern Townships, and this rustic site is no exception.
In addition to some of the region’s greatest untamed beauties (including a waterfall and spectacular peak views), the trails have a variety of lengths ranging from 2.4 kilometers to over 14 kilometers. Oh, and did we mention there are a lot of maple trees?
Parc national de Frontenac
Drive time from Montreal: 3 hours
Parc national de Frontenac, located on the banks of Grand lac Saint-François, the third biggest lake south of the Saint-Lawrence River, is home to an abundance of animals that you may spot while trekking the park’s network of paths, which range in length from three kilometers to sixteen kilometers.
The Le Massif de Winslow track offers spectacular vistas, while the La Tourbière circuit is perfect for families with young children because to its stroller-friendliness.
Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière
Drive time from Montreal: 3 hours
In spite of the fact that there are just 4.5 kilometers of constructed hiking routes here, they all provide stunning views of the 35-meter-high Chutes-de-la-Chaudière waterfalls.
In addition to a 23-meter high suspension footbridge and a 113-meter long route, neighbouring Quebec City offers a perfect place to change into dance shoes after a day of trekking.
Mont Saint-Grégoire
Drive time from Montreal: 1 hour 20 minutes
Despite its proximity to the city, this mountain in southern Quebec has a route that gives stunning views.
When compared to the other peaks on our list, Mont Saint-Grégoire stands out since it is surrounded by expansive fields and offers views of far-off mountain ranges. It’s possible to see Montreal in the distance if you’re lucky enough.
Mont Rougemont
Drive time from Montreal: 1 hour 20 minutes
Less than an hour and half from Montreal in the gorgeous Montérégie area, Mont Rougemont is home to a short, privately-owned route that rewards hikers with a breathtaking sight at the mountain’s peak.
Because it isn’t maintained by the government, some may find Mont Rougemont’s track tougher to follow, but the view from the summit is worth it if you’re ready to give it a go.
Parc national de Plaisance
Drive time from Montreal: 2 hours
The park’s flat terrain and abundance of bays, ponds, and marshes make it ideal for leisurely strolls in the woods.
Even though there are no trails in this area that are classified as intermediate or tough, there are plenty of year-round options ranging in length from 2-kilometer loops to longer ones of up to 17-kilometers or 21-kilometers.
If you’re looking for anything other than a workout, head to this park and soak in the tranquility.
Parc national du Mont-Orford
Drive time from Montreal: 2 hours
You may do anything from hiking to rock climbing and mountain biking to skiing or snowboarding at Mont-Orford if you’ve got a season pass or just a day pass.
Deer, herons, and a slew of sugar maples are among the park’s many native plants and animals.
A network of almost 80 kilometers of trails can be found at Mont-Orford; the most experienced hikers (or those who’ve read Into the Wild one too many times) may choose to take advantage of the more difficult routes.
Parc régional du Poisson Blanc
Drive time from Montreal: 3 hours 30 minutes
Few people realize how stunning Poisson Blanc can be for hiking, despite the fact that it’s well-known for its island-hopping camping choices in the summer.
There are 17 kilometers of hiking routes to choose from, some of which are more active, such as the Sentier de la Paroi Éléphant, which concludes with a west-facing vista from an escarpment where you can take in sunsets.
Parc régional des Sept-Chutes
Drive time from Montreal: 2 hours 15 minutes
There are some spectacular vistas at Sept-Chutes (“Seven waterfalls,” for you anglos) if you are prepared to travel the two hours from Montreal to get there.
Among the park’s 12 kilometers of paths, the Mont Brassard route, which leads to a breathtaking lake vista, is the park’s crown jewel.
Parc national d’Oka
Drive time from Montreal: 1 hour 20 minutes
The park’s five hiking paths, which range in length from 25 minutes to 4.5 hours and roughly 12 kilometers, showcase Oka’s maples and marshes.
Oka’s calm, sandy beaches are among the nicest in Montreal, and the challenging summit trek provides two hours of cardio and stunning vistas. If you’re a fan of a full day of hiking, this is the tour for you.
Parc national de la Yamaska
Drive time from Montreal: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yamaska’s marshes and dense forests of numerous tree types make it a calm summer recreational refuge little over two hours away from Montreal.
There are a variety of walking routes in Yamaska that range in length, but they are all quite straightforward and suited for walkers of all ages and abilities, making them ideal for family outings.
Ruisseau-des-Chênes (Parc national du Mont-Orford)
Drive time from Montreal: 2 hours
One of the best kept secrets in the East End is Mont-Orford, which offers 80 kilometers of trails and a wide range of sports available to those who have a day pass or a season pass, from hiking and rock climbing to skiing and mountain biking.
The Ruisseau-des-Chênes track, in contrast to the more popular ski paths, brings hikers through waterfalls and other natural attractions while staying above the ski lifts and gondolas. One parking option nearby is Savonnerie.
Mount Royal Park
A day of winter trekking doesn’t even need you to leave the city. Snowshoes or cross-country skis may be rented in Montreal’s Mount Royal Park to experience the park’s paths and the city from every angle.
Dogs on a leash are permitted on the property.
Book a nighttime snowshoe adventure to learn more about Montreal and Mount Royal’s flora and wildlife, as well as the greatest viewpoint spots on the summit.
After Beaver Lake’s chilled rink, take a leisurely skate before making your way to the fashionable Mile End and Plateau areas, which Mount Royal borders, for a night on the town.
Mont Tremblant National Park
Drive time from Montreal: 2 hours
Learn about 1,510 square kilometers (938 square feet) of protected land at the highest resort peak in the Laurentians.
Over 25 kilometers (16 miles) of winter routes in the Mont Tremblant National Park have been particularly groomed for winter trekking.
Cross-country skiing, fat biking, and dog sledding are just a few of the fun winter activities available. There is a minor entrance fee in addition to the leasing payments for the grounds of the provincial park.
Visitors with mobility challenges can now enjoy the trails thanks to a new free-of-charge wheelchair-adapted Ski-Velequipment innovation.
Quebec’s most famous downhill ski resort is located atop Mont Tremblant. While you’re in the area, take advantage of the resort’s après-ski activities and plan a weekend trip.
Parc National du Mont Orford
There are over 90 kilometers (56 miles) of loop trails in the Parc National du Mont Orford, which is located in the heart of the Eastern townships.
Depending on the chosen route, these trails can take anywhere from one to six hours to complete.
Visitors can bring their own equipment or rent cross-country skis and snowshoes to the resort, which has four peaks, lake vistas, and heights up to 853 meters (2,799 ft).
With or without equipment, visitors to provincial parks are paid a nominal fee. For an unforgettable evening, arrange a three-hour nighttime snowshoe package with torchlight and chocolate fondue by the fire.
Ski-Vel, a special piece of equipment that allows wheelchairs to cope with snowy conditions, is available for free at select Quebec national parks.
Mont Orford, an alpine ski resort, is located next to Parc du Mont Orford.
It is home to some of Quebec’s top downhill ski slopes, including some difficult double diamond glades. Driving time from Montreal to the resort is roughly two and a half hours.
Vallée Bras du Nord
Drive time from Montreal: 2 hours 30 minutes
Vallée Bras du Nord, a dog-friendly area northeast of Quebec City, highly praised by visitors. One of Eastern Canada’s top mountain riding sites is framed by its beautiful valley and waterfalls.
Spend the day fat biking on over 20 kilometers (12 miles) of trails that are suitable for all levels of riders, from beginners to experts. Alternately, you may go on a 70-kilometer (44-mile) snowshoe excursion. There is a little entrance fee.
Getting to Vallée Bras du Nord from Montreal or Quebec City will take around two and a half hours by car.
Rougemont
Rougemont is a great place to go for a quick afternoon trek near Montreal. 366 meters (1,201 feet) above sea level, it is located 45 minutes from Montreal in the center of Montérégie, a tiny district in the southeast of the city.
The Cidrerie Michel Jodoin’s orchard-lined grounds are the finest place to go for a 3.6-kilometer (2.2-mile) circle in the winter.
Expect to spend about an hour and a half visiting the area, which includes the peak overlook. Dogs are more than welcome. Grab a variety of cider items at the next store of the cider manufacturer.
Conclusion
I hope this article has given you some interesting ideas on where to go hiking or camping in Montreal.
This list covers all the parks or nature preserves close to the city, along with the best ways to reach them. Have fun exploring the beauty of Montreal and its surrounding areas.
