8 breathtaking hikes near Montreal where you can escape into nature this summer
Take the scenic route 🏔🍂
Hiking through Parc Régional de Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. Right: The stunning mountains of Parc Régional de la Forêt Ouareau.
Sure, Montreal is a great walking city, full of busy pedestrianized streets and charming ruelles vertes, but sometimes you just want to get away from it all and walk on a route less travelled. When those bustling urban walks just aren't cutting it, why not leave the city behind and go for a hike on one of the many stunning trails surrounding Montreal?
With so many breathtaking hiking options all under two hours from the city, and some even fully accessible by public transit, escaping into nature is as easy as, well, a walk in the park.
Parc National du Mont-Saint-Bruno
Address: 330, Rang des Vingt-Cing E., Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC
Distance from Montreal: 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Only a few kilometres from downtown Montreal and easily accessible by public transit, this South Shore gem is more than worth the short commute. With 27 kilometres of hiking trails ranging from short beginner circuits to longer, intense rustic paths, you could spend a day (or two or three) exploring the park, taking in its stunning scenery, or renting a canoe or paddle board to enjoy its no less than five lakes. If that's not enough to entice you, the park also features an 8-hectare orchard with pick-your-own apples beginning in September.
Parc Régional de la Forêt Ouareau
Address: 2007, ch. du Massif, Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, QC
Distance from Montreal: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: This massive 150 square kilometre park is a nature lover's paradise. Named after the Ouareau River which cross through it and deriving from the Algonquin word for "far away," the Forêt Ouareau literally means "far away forest." And even though it's less than a two-hour drive outside the city, amongst its mountainous massif, scenic wildlife, 120 kilometres of nature trails, and numerous lakes, streams, and rivers, you'll feel nothing short of far away.
Boisé du Tremblay
Distance from Montreal: 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: As the largest nature park in Longueuil, Boisé du Tremblay is a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, only a 30 minute drive from downtown Montreal or an easy commute on public transit. A large section of the park is now recognized as a nature reserve, home to unique and diverse species of flora and fauna, including white-tailed deer and the endangered western chorus frog. With 2.5 kilometres of nature trails and 800 metres of wooden footbridges, you can spend a peaceful afternoon under a canopy of maple, poplar, and ash trees, exploring the park's woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife.
Parc Régional de Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
Address: 2, ch. du Lac-des-Sables, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, QC
Distance from Montreal: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Nestled in the heart of the Laurentian Mountains, Parc Régional de Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts is 800 acres of stunning natural scenery surrounding the tranquil Petit-Lac-des-Sables. The park boasts over 60 kilometres of hiking trails ranging from easy to very difficult, a nature reserve, diverse wildlife, and beaches equipped with canoe, kayak, pedal boat, and paddle board rentals. There's so much to see and do here, it would take more than a day to take it all in. Luckily, the park also features a campground with cabin, pod, and ready-to-camp tents available to rent, so you can spend an entire weekend becoming one with nature.
Gault Nature Reserve
Address: 422, ch. des Moulins, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC
Distance from Montreal: 1 hour
Why You Need To Go: Situated on the striking Mont Saint-Hilaire, McGill University's Gault Nature Reserve is a private reserve and research team dedicated to protecting over 1000 hectares of natural habitat. The team not only preserves the ecosystem of the mountain and surrounding old-growth forests, but they also maintain an impressive 25-kilometre trail network throughout the reserve. The trail network features eight different trails varying in difficulty from short, flat hikes to longer treks up to the mountain's four summits that offer stunning views of the reserve's Lac Hertel and the nearby towns.
Parc National du Mont-Tremblant
Address: 3824, ch. du Lac Supérieur, Lac-Supérieur, QC
Distance from Montreal: Approximately 2 hour and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: The jewel of the Laurentian Mountains, the picturesque Parc National du Mont-Tremblant is Quebec's oldest provincial park and one of the most beloved. No less than 1510 square kilometres and lush with dense forests, diverse wildlife, and over 400 lakes, six rivers, and ample streams, there's so much to explore here. With over 82 kilometres of trails, the options for exploration are endless — from short easy walks to difficult intense hikes, this park's got it all. Adventurous hikers can even try the Via Ferrata du Diable, a thrilling cross between hiking and rock climbing.
Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques
Address: 20099, boul. Gouin O., Pierrefonds, QC
Distance from Montreal: 40 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Located in the West Island where the Rivière des Prairies meets the Lac des Deux Montagnes, Montreal's largest park boasts five separate hiking trails that allow you to explore all 330 hectares of Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques and bask in its gorgeous scenery. Two trails provide access to the park's public beach where visitors can swim or rent kayaks to enjoy the beautiful Lac des Deux Montagnes.
Parc National du Mont-Orford
Address: 3321, ch. du Parc, Orford, QC
Distance from Montreal: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Offering some of the most breathtaking views of the Eastern Townships below, Parc National du Mont-Orford is a hiker's and nature lover's dream. With over 80 kilometres of trails ranging from easy to difficult, hikers can spend hours, if not days, climbing the mountain, taking in the stunning views, and resting by the park's two sparkling crystal clear lakes. Lucky hikers may even spot a white-tailed deer or great blue heron in their natural habitat.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.
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