Walks and Views

An 18th and 19th century seigneury on the Rivière des Mille Îles, with restored mills and old stone buildings, walking paths, a garden, a lookout and picnic areas. A skating rink in winter, and the Christmas market here in December. The grounds and parking are free all year; guided tours and boat tours are paid.

A 96 hectare nature park in Saint-Hubert with a 1 km lake circled by a paved path, woods, peat bogs and a hill with views of Montreal and the Montérégie hills. 8 km of trails for walking, cycling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Open 365 days a year. Free, with free parking at the welcome pavilion; café and rentals are paid.

The largest protected wildlife area in Greater Montreal, with about 8 km of trails along the shore of the Rivière des Mille Îles and on its islands (some islands only by boat). Great for birds and calm river views; snowshoeing and skating in winter. Entry and parking are free; boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals and guided activities are paid. Check the park's website for current hours.

One of the last large urban forests in Laval, with about 13 km of trails, some adapted for reduced mobility, and a 2.5 km trail kept up for winter walking. Leashed dogs allowed, and there is a picnic area. Open all year. Free, with free parking at the entrance (don't park along the road).

A 50 hectare city park in Laval with gardens, ponds, a small farm, a tropical greenhouse and 5 km of walking trails. In winter there is skating on the lake, a tubing hill and cross country trails. Open all year. Entry is free; parking and equipment rentals are paid.

More than 25 km of paths and trails across Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame: the waterfront, Mont Boullé, the Floralies Gardens, the Biosphère from the outside and the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve track. Leashed dogs welcome. Open daily from 6 a.m. Walking is free; parking is paid, and attractions like the Biosphère, La Ronde and the beach charge admission. Metro: Jean-Drapeau (yellow line).

About 2.5 km of riverside promenade along Rue de la Commune, from the Clock Tower Pier to the locks, with picnic spots, public art and views of the St. Lawrence. Free extras include the outdoor Cité Mémoire projections and the "Histoires de navires" exhibit at the cruise terminal. The site is open 6 a.m. to midnight, all year. Walking is free; parking lots on site are paid.

Walking trails from 0.7 to 7.7 km through forest, marsh and swamp, with a 500 m boardwalk over the marsh for watching wildlife and the Pointe-aux-Carrières lookout. Canada geese stop here during migration. Open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is free; parking is paid (card or online only). Dogs on a leash; no dogs on the beach.

A 97 hectare park in the southwest with forest, open clearings and a 1.1 km lake, plus picnic areas, barbecues, playgrounds and a dog park. A favourite for long walks right next to Angrignon metro. Open all year. Free, with both free and paid parking. The small farm and the children's play fort are currently closed.

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.