There’s nothing quite like spending a day walking in nature and exploring the beauty around you. Hiking is a great way to spend time in solitude, with a group of friends or together as a family, and in Quebec, you can find some of the best hiking near Montreal, so venture out. Here are some of the best places you can go for a hike near the metropolis.
Top Hikes in Montreal
1. Mont-Royal Mountain
Hiking to the summit of Mont-Royal, our Mount Royal as English speakers call it, is one of the best outdoor activities in Montreal. It’s the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon if you’re looking for what to do in the city. Reaching the summit’s lookout will take roughly 45 minutes. Start by hiking up Peel Street merging onto a winding path known as the “serpentine” road. This will be your most direct path to the viewpoint, but there are many others. Don’t let the hike only being about 45 minutes deter you because once you’re in Mount Royal Park you’ll easily spend 3 hours exploring and walking in nature.
2. Parc-nature de l’Île-de-la-Visitation
Combining nature and history, Parc-nature de l’Île-de-la-Visitation is an immersive nature park full of activities for everyone. It offers visitors 8.8 kilometres of trails that are assailable year-round. They are easy and can be done with your family, including the dog, as long a Fido stays on a leash.
Best Hiking Around Montreal: 1-Hour Drive or Less
3. Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park
Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park is only kilometres from the city centre, and it has some of the best outdoor activities near Montreal (And I live right at the foot of it, so I have to include it in this top hiking list, don’t I?). This National Park offers visitors five lakes, an orchard, a historic mill and a 27-kilometre network of trails. There are 6 hikes in total, 5 of which are easy-intermediate and family-friendly. Le Montérégien is the intermediate hike consisting of a 2-hour 8.8 km loop.
4. Mont-Saint-Hilaire’s Gault Nature Reserve
Mont-Saint-Hilaire Park is a nature reserve and a popular place for hiking around Montreal because of its close proximity to the city (about 30 min). Pain de Sucre (Sugarloaf), Burned Hill, Lac Hertel, Dieppe, Rocky Blue and Rocky Red are the main walking trails to choose from to reach the summits of Mont Saint-Hilaire, all offering different experience levels but beautiful views no matter which you choose.
5. Mont-Saint-Grégoire
Thirty-five minutes from Montreal, Mont-Saint-Grégoire offers visitors a quick hike to a splendid view of Montreal as well as the surrounding mountains to the east and south. The great thing about this hike is the fact that it’s short and direct, only taking about 35-40 minutes to the summit. It’s one of the great outdoor activities near Montreal, especially if you have smaller children and enjoy strolling in the wildlife as a family.
6. Îles-de-Boucherville National Park
You won’t have to travel far from Montreal to enjoy a break from city noise. Îles-de-Boucherville National Park has a 21-kilometre network of walking and hiking paths that allow you to discover the site’s most beautiful attractions. Choose from 7 hikes; all considered easy and family-friendly. The longest will take you 7.7 km in roughly 2 hours, with the shortest being a 1.5 km loop taking up only a half-hour of your time. A day spent at Îles-de-Boucherville National Park will have you fully understanding why it’s one of the best places for outdoor day trips near Montreal.
7. Oka National Park
About an hour’s drive from Montreal, Oka National Park welcomes visitors. Rich in historical and natural heritage, this is a protected park full of enriching nature experiences. There are five hiking trails here, 3 of which are easy, one that is intermediate and one that is difficult.
La Sauvagine is the park’s 11.8 km intermediate hike. It’s peaceful and is surrounded by a silver maple forest. Le Sommet is Oka National Park’s most challenging trail. It will take an experienced hiker on a 6.7 km loop in roughly 2 hours. It’s not family-friendly, but under certain conditions, dogs are allowed. Once you’re done, head to Oka’s beach, a place where I spent a lot of time as a kid!
Hiking Near Montreal Day Trips
8. Bromont
One of the best Montreal day trips you can take will bring you an hour from the city to Bromont. Here you will find over 140 km of hiking trails ready to explore. The trails here will bring you into the heart of Old Bromont, by lakes and near residential areas, all while offering you mesmerizing views of Bromont’s mounts. There’s a trail for every taste and every fitness level, so there’s no need to be an accomplished hiker to enjoy the breathtaking views in the Eastern Townships.
9. Mont-Orford National Park
Hiking is without a doubt one of the best ways to discover Mont-Orford National Park, offering those that visit over 80 km of trails waiting for you to make memories on. There is a wide range of paths from easy to difficult, with eight main trails, with one of the most notable trails being L’Escalier-du-Nord. This trailhead is classified as difficult, and you’ll climb the Mont-Orford massif to the Pic de l’Ours through the Pic de la Roche-Fendue. It’s a 12 km round trip, and many would say it’s one of the best hikes in Quebec, near Montreal.
10. Mont-Tremblant National Park
Discover the natural wilderness of the Laurentians (Laurentides) and Lanaudière regions when you take this Montreal day trip to Mont-Tremblant National Park. A fun fact about Mont-Tremblant National Park you may not know is that it was the first national park in Quebec, the third in Canada, and the sixth in North America—it lives up to its hype!
This park consists of 23 main hiking trails spanning 82 km. In total there are 5 difficult hikes, 8 intermediate hikes and 10 easy paths.
11. La Mauricie National Park
Head 3 hours from Montreal to La Mauricie National Park where 110 km of trekking wait for you! There are 14 main trailheads, some of which intersect with one another, but the best part of each trail is the majestic views. Mountaineering is the perfect way to enjoy wildlife, no matter what your ability level.
12. Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook
Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook has always been a fun place to hike. The most popular trail is La Gorge Trail and it’s known for being home to the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in all of North America. Will you dare cross it?
La Gorge Trail is the only way to access the bridge and it’s only accessible in the summer. Crossing it is one of the most thrilling outdoor activities to do near Montreal. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s worth every heart pounding step!
There are several other great trails to hike at Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook. A highly recommended day trip from Montreal.
Whether you’re travelling to Quebec to take in all its best natural spots or just passing through Montreal and in need of day trip ideas to get out into nature, these local favourite hiking and walking destinations are bound to keep you smiling!
Click here for more ideas on what to do in Quebec:
Looking for a cheap flight to Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair I use regularly. Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Montreal and surrounding cities with Busbud.
Share this on Pinterest:
1 Comment
whatsapp plus
December 12, 2024 at 4:16 AMLoved this list! Montreal has such amazing hiking spots, and I can’t wait to try out some of these trails. Thanks for sharing the detailed info and tips!