Walks and Views

One of the largest urban parks in North America, with forest and river valley trails, wetlands, farmland and lots of wildlife on the eastern edge of Toronto. Parks Canada also runs free guided walks with volunteers and staff. The park is free and open 365 days a year, and its parking lots are open 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Note that Zoo Road Day Use Area and Rouge Beach and Marsh are currently closed, so check the bulletin before you go.

Varennes' riverside park on the St. Lawrence, with an elevated boardwalk, picnic areas, an urban beach area, public art inspired by the river and access to the bike path. Open all year; in winter a groomed cross country ski trail of about 3.4 km starts west of the parking lot. Free to visit; only the boat launch is paid.

A quiet nature interpretation site at the north end of Sainte-Julie, with an easy loop of trails and boardwalks around ponds, an observation platform, shelters and benches. Good for birdwatching and an hour's walk in any season. Dogs are not allowed.

Explore Vieux-La Prairie, a declared heritage site, on a 13 stop GPS walking circuit (about 60 minutes) with the free BaladoDécouverte app, or using the map posted at Parc du Rempart. Along the streets you will also find the Parcours d'ambiance, street furniture decorated by local artists. Free at any time; works without a smartphone using the city's PDF map.

Chambly's largest park (47 hectares) protects wetlands and a forest crossed by nine small streams, home to 26 bird species, frogs and salamanders. It has 5 km of walking trails in all seasons, plus 12 km of fat bike trails and 6 km of cross country ski trails in winter. A good choice for families and nature lovers. No entry fee is mentioned by the city; bring your own equipment.

A small lookout and rest stop on rue des Roses with views over the Chambly Basin and the Richelieu River, good for nature watching and sunsets. Open year round; free.

A self guided walk through old Chambly with interpretation stops about the town's historic figures, events and heritage buildings, near the Richelieu River and Fort Chambly. You can follow the city's PDF brochure or the free BaladoDécouverte audio app, on foot or by bike. Jardin Boileau, at rue Martel and avenue Bourgogne, has interpretation panels and a sundial. Free at any time; entering the Fort Chambly museum itself costs extra.

The town quay on the Richelieu River, a lovely spot to watch the river up close, take photos of Beloeil across the water or fish from the dock. The fixed part of the quay is open all year and plowed in winter; a floating gangway is added from mid June to late October. Free to visit. Nearby, the Saint-Henri linear park has a floating dock for kayaks and paddleboards in summer.

A 65 hectare forest in Châteauguay with 2 to 5 km of walking trails, plus 15 km of marked cross country ski trails, 4 km of snowshoe trails and a sledding hill in winter. The visitor chalet is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Access is free at all times; dogs and bikes are not allowed.

A 4 km town run hiking trail through the Réserve naturelle du Piémont at the foot of Mont Saint-Hilaire, with entrances on rue Ozias-Leduc, rue des Plateaux, rue des Fées and chemin Rouillard. A washroom is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. near the rue des Plateaux entrance. No pets or bikes. This is a free town trail, separate from the paid Gault Nature Reserve.

A walking and snowshoe trail in Delson with rest areas and interpretation panels about nature and local history. Open year round; free.

A woodland and wetland trail with interpretation panels on local wildlife, plants and habitats, in the part of Boisé du Tremblay owned by Nature-Action Québec. The trail is free and open all year from sunrise to sunset; the main access is on chemin d'Alençon. Note that the city owned section is closed to the public, so stay on the marked trail.