Walks and Views

A peninsula at the mouth of the Lachine Canal with 22 large contemporary outdoor sculptures along its paths, views over Lac Saint-Louis and the South Shore, an arboretum of about 70 tree species, and lovely sunsets from the tip. Open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free; parking is $2.75 an hour from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A former quarry and landfill turned into a huge park, with walking trails, hills, prairies, lookouts and big white spheres. Good for walking, running, cycling, bird watching and even star gazing. Kites, scooters and bikes can be borrowed for free at kiosks in season. Open daily 6 a.m. to midnight. Completely free, including both parking lots.

A lakeside nature park in the west of the island with wide views over Lac des Deux Montagnes and a picnic area. Popular for windsurfing in summer and for ice fishing and wind sports on the ice in winter. A calm spot to watch the lake rather than a long trail walk. Open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is free; parking is paid.

A 261 hectare nature park at the eastern tip of the island, with 8.4 km of walking trails through marshes, woods and along the river. A great place to see birds and white tailed deer, with a lookout over the marsh. Open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is free; parking is paid. A second entrance is at the Des Marais pavilion, 12300 Boulevard Gouin Est.

A big 330 hectare nature park where Lac des Deux Montagnes meets the Rivière des Prairies, with forest walking trails, an organic farm, a sugar shack and historic houses. Open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entry and the main trails are free; parking is paid, and one trail (Le Lièvre) is paid in summer only. During current watermain work, lots P4 and P5 are closed: park at P3 to reach the farm.

The wide gravel path that winds gently around Mount Royal, 8.3 km in all, linking Beaver Lake, the Chalet du Mont-Royal and the summit cross. An easy, beautiful walk in every season. Start near Avenue des Pins and Rue Peel, or from Beaver Lake. The park is open daily 6 a.m. to midnight. Free; parking in the park is paid.

A 2 km riverside park along the St. Lawrence in the east end, the best spot in the area to watch the big commercial ships go by. Picnic areas, a pebbled shore for fishing, and in summer a river shuttle to Île Charron. Open daily 6 a.m. to midnight. Free, with free parking.

A riverside nature park along the Rivière des Prairies, with ruins of old mills, the historic Maison du Pressoir, lookouts over the river and lots of birds. In winter there is an 8.6 km walking trail plus snowshoe and cross country ski trails. Open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is free; parking is paid.

Lookouts over the roaring Lachine Rapids, where you can watch kayakers and surfers. A top birding spot, with more than 225 species seen through the year and the largest heron colony in Quebec. Open daily 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free, with free parking.

Montreal's huge domed basilica on the slope of Mount Royal. Entry is free for everyone, and the terrace off the Concourse has a panoramic view over the west of the island. The shrine is open daily 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The museum and parking are paid (parking is free for under 30 minutes during the day).

The east side lookout on Mount Royal, with a wide view over the Plateau, the east of the city and the Olympic Stadium tower. Beautiful at sunrise and at night. Open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and stroller accessible. The lookout is free; parking nearby is paid.

A signed 3.8 km city walk from the Old Port up to Mount Royal. It starts at Rue de la Commune and Place d'Youville and ends at Avenue des Pins and Rue Peel, passing heritage buildings, historic places and public art along McGill, McGill College and Sherbrooke. Follow the markers and arrow signs. Free, any time of year.