Arbraska Laflèche: Challenge Yourself in Nature!
Every year, I try to make my bucket list of exhilarating activities “to do at least once in my life”. At Arbraska Laflèche , I’ve ticked off several boxes! From the zip lines at Laflèche Cave to the aerial course and uplå trampolines in the brand-new giant trampoline park, it’s pure adrenalin. Let’s head for this astonishing destination in the heart of nature.
Ziptour: fly up in the sky
Welcomed by Frédérick aka Ti-Loup, I was ready to push myself to the limit in the heart of the forest. The first excursion of the day was the Ziptour, a series of 8 zip lines among the deciduous trees, including one overlooking the magnificent turquoise Armida Lake. I figured the views alone were worth the two minutes of treetop shaking, but another challenge awaited me at the top! Under the watchful eye of the guide, you place the carabiners on the harness and the pulley on the cable before taking off. Quite a test of dexterity and self-confidence, but the 101 course in the practice area served me well and I felt confident and safe.
After Ti-Loup’s howl (Ahouuuu), followed my first zip line…and off we went! With ropes ranging from 152 to 260 meters, his rallying cry echoed at every arrival platform. Each zip-line offered a unique experience in terms of speed, amplitude and the way nature transformed itself from one point to the next. Galvanizing moments of pleasure and scenery that just flew by! I’d do it again tomorrow morning, without hesitation!
$67
Minimum size: 5 feet and over | Duration: 1h30
Laflèche Cave: discoveries in the dark
After so many thrills, I wondered what the rest of the day had in store for me. We headed for the forest’s sublime nature trails. I was still amazed when I spotted Laflèche Cave, the largest visitable cave in the Canadian Shield. That’s right! A huge cavern filled with narrow passages, stalagmites, stalactites and a hundred sleeping bats. With our helmets on and our headlamps switched on, the guided tour began. Our guide took the time to tell us all about the origins of . It’s thought to be the result of the dissolution of limestone from sedimentary rocks by melting glaciers over 12,000 years ago.
The journey continued even further into the depths of the earth. At the point where the sun’s rays can no longer penetrate… it’s time for the dark experience. At GO, we all shut off our headlamps. My brain tried 1,000 times to imagine my hand passing in front of my eyes, but I couldn’t see a thing! Did you know that at that very moment, the bats knew exactly where we were, thanks to echolocation? A technique that enables them to quickly locate anything around them by listening to the echoes of the ultrasounds they emit. I felt out of my comfort zone in the dark and amazed by nature’s intelligence. A mind-blowing experience, a must!
Children (5 to 7): $22 | Children (8 to 13): $27 | Adults (14 and over): $30
Equipment: helmet and headlamp | Temperature: 4°C | Minimum age: 5 years | Duration: 1h
Aerial trek: challenges in the treetops
Back in the daylight, we continued our escapade with the aerial tree course. Between the suspension bridge, the net walkway to the swinging ladders and a multitude of other obstacles, I quickly fell back into childhood. I took great pleasure in moving the logs as my friend prepared to cross them in turn. I have to admit it wasn’t as much fun when she took her revenge (oops)! The course put me to the test several times. Halfway between a circus professional and a 5-year-old child, that sums up the feeling I had. If you thought you had good agility, this is the place to prove it. For even more challenge, there’s even the option of doing the circuit in the middle of the night. An original way to observe the stars.
For intrepid little ones, there’s the children’s park. The colorful structures and numerous adventures will get their boundless energy flowing. Both the adult and children’s courses are well worth a visit!
Aerial course for children: $37 | Tree course: Children (8 to 13 years): $42 | Adults (14 years and over): $47 | Night course: Adults (16 and over): $59
Regular tree course: minimum 5 feet, duration 3h30 | Children's tree course: 5 years and over, duration 2h
Uplå: leap into the heart of nature
Uplå is a world of nets and giant trampolines perched between 20 and 35 feet off the ground. These are the largest outdoor trampolines in North America! As soon as I set foot on these colorful structures, I felt weightless, as if I were floating above the forest. The seven interconnected trampolines, tunnels, slides and secret passages offer a fun and safe adventure for all ages.
What particularly amazed me was the suspended village made up of colorful trampolines linked by footbridges. As I explored this aerial labyrinth, I rediscovered my childlike heart, laughing and jumping with infectious joy.
I also learned that 6 minutes of jumping is equivalent to 30 minutes of running! This activity was really the icing on the cake of my day of adventures!
Children (0 to 4 years): Free | Children (5 to 17 years): $35 | Adults (18 to 64 years): $35 | Seniors (65 years and over): Free | Non-participating adults (who wish to remain on the ground, but have access to picnic tables and benches) : Free
Trampolines uplå: accessible for all ages, duration 2h | Closed shoes are obligatory and the wearing of jewelry or other objects that could get caught in the nets is to be avoided for safety reasons.
Abraska Laflèche from another angle
To round off the day in style, we took part in a Via Ferrata initiation. Climbing the rock face using a harness and karabiners, we had privileged access to the turquoise lake and all its biodiversity.
It’s a great place to learn this sport, and an activity that’s suitable for everyone, including toddlers. It was a great way to contemplate the lush natural surroundings of Arbraska Laflèche before we left.
Between the thrills of Arbraska Laflèche, the underground world of Laflèche Cave and the trampolines of uplå, I spent an unforgettable day in the Outaouais. If you’re looking to combine adrenalin and wonder, these two experiences are not to be missed!
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After your family sporting event, treat yourself to a delicious ice cream in the Outaouais!
