10 family hiking trails to discover this fall in the Outaouais

Hiking and outdoor enthusiasts, take advantage of autumn to get outdoors with your family and explore the trails of the Outaouais. Make the most of the colours and cooler weather to admire the beauty of nature from new vantage points while introducing your children to hiking.

1. The trails at Mont Cayamant Park

Visit the municipality of Cayamant and discover the five trails (total length 8 km) managed by the PERO – Pôle d’excellence en récréotourisme en Outaouais. Mont Cayamant also has a 24-metre observation tower that offers a spectacular view of Lake Cayamant and the surrounding area. Although the trails are rated easy, the mountain has 563 stairs in the heart of the forest. It’s a great family challenge!

2. The trails at the Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve

Go for a hike along the 12 kilometres of trails in the Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserv. Try Le Ouaouaron (“the bullfrog”), a 2.3-kilometre loop that traverses one of the oldest forests in Quebec, with trees over 400 years old. The trail is rated intermediate and has a positive gradient of 74 metres. Along the way, you’ll pass two lakes and a beaver lodge and dam. The trail can be completed in about 45 minutes.

3. The trails at the Centre de plein air du Lac-Beauchamp

For a spur-of-the-moment family outing, take advantage of the proximity of the 15 kilometres of trails at the Centre de plein air du Lac-Beauchamp. Some trails take about 15 minutes to complete, while others take almost an hour. Near the trails, you’ll find the outdoor centre’s pavilion, a playground and a picnic area. It’s the ideal place to have a fun day in the great outdoors without having to venture far from home.

4. The trails at the Centre de plein air du Lac-Leamy

Located in the heart of the Hull sector, the Centre de plein air du Lac-Leamy is an ideal place to enjoy nature in an urban setting. Take advantage of the picnic area to share a meal al fresc with your family, and let your children blow off steam in the play area. You can bike around the lake on the recreational path, which is also great for strollers. The terrain is fairly flat, perfect for a leisurely stroll in the sunshine. Walk down to the beach and take a moment to admire the unobstructed view across the lake to the Casino du Lac-Leamy.

5. The trails at Champboisé de L’Ange-Gardien

The property at Champboisé de L’Ange-Gardien has five kilometres of walking trails. Take a stroll along the banks of the Lièvre River in a beautiful wooded setting and breathe in the fresh air. Take part in a unique family activity as you search for the geocaching caches scattered around the site.

6. The trails at Gatineau Park

Gatineau Park needs no introduction. In its 361 square kilometres of forest, you’re sure to find a trail you like! Some trails, like the Pink Lake trail, have lots of stairs; others, like the Wolf trail, require sustained physical effort; and some, like the Mackenzie King Estate trail, are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Find out more about the different options to suit your needs.

7. The trails at Parc des Montagnes Noires in Ripon

The trails at Parc des Montagnes Noires in Ripon are varied. The Belvedere Trail, a 4-km loop linking the parking area, the lookout and the 12-metre observation tower, is one of the most popular. It’s rated medium difficulty and takes just over an hour to complete. The park also offers a geocaching activity. Engage the whole family in a quest to find the seven caches, and sign the log book in each one as proof of your discovery.

8. The First Nations Trail at Parc Omega

Parc Omega is well known for its safari-style car trail, but did you know that it also has well-maintained hiking trails? Walk the First Nations Trail, a site unique in North America that pays tribute to the 11 First Nations and Inuit peoples of Quebec. Pass under the wings of the Thunderbird, a symbolic and protective figure for many of the First Nations. Take a leisurely stroll along the Allée des arbres qui parlent (“talking trees lane”) and admire the totem poles created by Algonquin artist Denis Charette.

9. The trails at Mont Morissette Regional Park

Mont Morissette Regional Park near Blue Sea has 13 km of marked walking trails. Set a family challenge and climb to the highest platform of the 18-metre observation tower for breathtaking views of a dozen lakes, including majestic Blue Sea Lake. Then make your way to the mountaintop hut and warm up by the wood stove.

10. The trail in the historical park at Coulonge Falls Adventure Park

Coulonge Falls Adventure Park is both an outdoor adventure park and an interpretation centre. Known for its via ferrata and zip line, it also has a 1.5-kilometre walking trail that showcases the history of the log drive in the area. Follow the trail at your own pace, read the interpretation panels along the way to learn more about this chapter in local history, and finish your walk by observing the majestic 48-metre falls.

BONUS: Downtown Gatineau’s Culture Trail

Thanks to downtown Gatineau’s Culture Trail, you don’t have to choose between your love of nature and your artistic side. Introduce your friends and family to public art while spending time outdoors on a trail linking 40 urban artworks and 9 local tourist attractions. To see all the works, start your walk at the Maison du tourisme, Gatineau’s tourist information office.

Learn good forest habits with your family. Contribute to the conservation and restoration of local flora and fauna by staying on the trails. Take care, and enjoy your walk!

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For even more family activities in the Outaouais, check out our fall bucket list.