Here are some hiking sites at a distance of 2 hours or less from the island of Montreal.
We invite you to stretch your legs and go see for yourself each of these places around Montreal.
1.Mont-Saint-Bruno, Monteregie
Popular in winter for its ski resort for the general public, Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park is teeming with hiking trails that delight families because of its size and its 6 easy or intermediate routes.
With its network of nearly 30 km, this national park will satisfy young and old alike looking for green spaces and wooded belts for a morning or an afternoon. The 2 longest distances (8.8 km loops), lasting around 2 hours on average from the Discovery and Visitors Center, will delight all members of the family wishing to linger away from the ” madness ”of urban centers.
All the more so, this mountain, managed by the SÉPAQ (Societe des establishments de plein air du Québec), is only a few minutes from Montreal, so it is easily accessible. There is no reason why hiking enthusiasts should not discover this Quebec gem!
2.Ouareau Forest Regional Park, Lanaudiere
The Lanaudière region has all kinds of parks to meet the different needs of the increasing number of hikers who practice this sporting pastime. The Parc régional de la Forêt Ouareau , less than 2 hours from Montreal, will succeed in attracting avid amateurs of courses all more disparate from each other, among others, by lengths ranging from 2.5 to 12.5 km.
Before venturing there, read the park map to get your bearings and access the right entrance according to the activities found there.
For a maximum experience, 6 shelters made available to groups of hikers so that they can reconcile a day hike and an overnight stay with friends in a modest, but entirely experiential accommodation. Thanks to it an extraordinary network of 120 km of hiking trails, this regional park contains 5 distinct sectors through which reception stations have been installs to facilitate user access.
Whether you are more avid about walking, running in the forest, or mountain biking, anything is possible. The service offer created by the managers of this regional park in Lanaudiere is varied. Enjoy it!
3.Mont Saint-Hilaire, Monteregie
The Mont Saint-Hilaire, located in the Montérégie and so close to the city (Highway 20 East), approximately 30 minutes proves to be a favorite spot for a walking day getaway. Alone, with friends, or with family, anyone can find something to suit them, whatever their goals, aims, and ambition.
With 5 routes of “easy/intermediate” levels totaling 25 km of trails, Mont Saint-Hilaire has forged its own identity by cutting the pear in two: half of its area devote exclusively to the preservation and conservation of the territory and the other half allows neophytes and enthusiasts to walk on developed trails.
The peaceful Hertel lake, less than a kilometer from the reception chalet. A strategic stopover to offer after a busy day of hiking. In the fall, the lake becomes a fertile playground on which people will no doubt spot geese, ducks, and other Canada geese. Otherwise, the mountain gives access to four points of view in as many summits towards the southwest or more towards the north. If the cloud cover is nonexistent, the visual decoration is de facto more magical.
The site as such has been managing to by the Center de la Nature Mont Saint-Hilaire since 1978 and McGill University has owned it for nearly 60 years. Want to run at dawn on the trails, practice brisk walking. Simply walk at low speed while contemplating the surroundings? Everything is possible as long as you are well equipping in order to make the most of the time spent!
4.Mont Saint-Gregoire, Monteregie
Recognized and “certified 2015” by the Federation québécoise de Marche. Mont Saint-Gregoire stands out for its “youth” pedestrian, always inclined to fill and retain its hikers. With the reception of 150,000 visitors from 1981 to 1996 and thanks to word of mouth. This mountain full of freshness contains 6 easy-level trails, which any family can gorge on for a day. Thanks to its short uneven distances. Very moderate.
Located in Haut-Richelieu, this mountain grows year after year thanks. The Ecological Environment Interpretation Center (CIME) takes care of the maintenance of the hiking trails and ensures their complete management. To train for running, to walk in fullness. Or to enjoy Saturday or Sunday with the family, especially in good weather. Mont Saint-Grégoire has a je ne sais quoi that will satisfy curious hikers. Eager for simplicity in well-marked trails.
5. The Laurentian Tourist and Educational Center
About less than an hour and a half from Montreal, the Center Tourisme et education des Laurentides (CTEL), located in Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carre in the Laurentians, offers many activities for all tastes. Including the possibility of exploring nothing less than the approximately 36 kilometers. These are available in 8 trials. Varying in difficulty (easy, intermediate, and difficult), distance (1 to 9.4 km). Duration varying, ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours.
In addition, one of the trails intends to be accessible to people with reducer mobility. Strollers, enough to provide a most satisfying family experience for a successful outing. In this Center, outdoor enthusiasts will be able to combine a stay of 2-3 days during which the campsite will combine with days of hiking. As well as canoeing and kayaking for water enthusiasts!
If you live near the Montreal belt or are visiting the island. You owe it to yourself to spend a day or more there. Order to breathe in these splendors of the Laurentians, and this at little cost!
6.Mont-Megantic National Park, Eastern Townships
Even if it is located a little over two hours from the metropolitan region, Mont Mégantic. Its observatory , managed by SÉPAQ, conceal jewels, the national park being divided into 2 sectors. That of Franceville and the Observatory. , the most popular and the most popular. The latter attracts the most enthusiasm. Because it gives the chance to take one of the 3 trails leading to the summit and reach the Observatory.
From the discovery and services sector, hikers can decide to follow one of the 2 intermediate-level routes or the more difficult one. The renowned and immeasurable Trois-Sommets, full of diverse and numerous points of view, and challenges. techniques (ascents and descents). Click here