Walks and Views

The stone ruins of inventor Thomas Willson's early 1900s acid condenser and dam, hidden in the forest beside a waterfall near Meech Lake. During current trail work, reach them from parking lot P16 on trails 44 and 45; in winter they can be reached on snowshoes, skis or snow bike. Access to the summer trails is free, and leashed dogs are permitted in summer.

A challenging 10.1 km loop from Blanchet Beach (parking lot P13) at Meech Lake that climbs 220 metres through mature forest to Tawadina Lookout. It is one of the best day hikes in Gatineau Park, with a picnic area at the start. Access to the summer trails is free; leashed dogs are allowed on the trail but not at the beach or picnic area.

An easy forest loop of about 1.9 km that starts right at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre in Old Chelsea, with a picnic area nearby. In winter it becomes a groomed 1.6 km walking loop, so it works in every season and is reachable by public transit. Access is free; leashed dogs are allowed on the trail but not in the picnic area.

On the riverbank in Saint-Romuald, parc de la Pointe-Benson is prized for its sweeping St. Lawrence panorama and its historic and archaeological heritage, highlighted in new landscaping. It has walking paths, an accessible bike path, a lookout, a playground and a splash pad. Free public park at 1889, chemin du Fleuve, next to parc de l'Anse-Benson.

An easy 1.3 km loop from parking lot P3 that tells the story of the settlers of the Outaouais and shows off the park's forest diversity. It is part of the park's inclusive trails initiative and stays open in winter as a groomed walking trail. Access is free in every season, and leashed dogs are allowed in summer.

An easy 1 km interpretive trail along the shore of Lac des Fées, the closest corner of Gatineau Park to downtown, with a lookout and good birdwatching. It takes about 20 minutes and starts at the Lac des Fées parking lot. Access to the summer trails of Gatineau Park is free, and leashed dogs are allowed.

The former country estate of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, with English and French gardens, picturesque ruins and forest trails. The grounds are open year round and access is free; the museums are closed in winter and the main cottage is closed for repairs in 2026. Parking at P6 is paid from mid June to October and free the rest of the year. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

This conservation park on the St. Lawrence shoreline in Lévis mixes woods, meadows and old pastures, crossed by a network of trails that are great for spotting wildlife and plants. It is a starting point for the Parcours des Anses and has toilets, picnic tables and accessible facilities. Free, open daily from 5 AM to 11 PM, with free parking on site.

A short but steep 1.8 km loop to the top of the Eardley Escarpment, about 300 metres above the Ottawa Valley, with ten lookouts and nature panels along the way. The summit is also a national historic site marking Canada's first geodetic survey station. The trail is open from May to the end of October and is reserved for cross-country skiing in winter. Access to the summer trail is free; dogs are not allowed.

Place des Canotiers is a large public space on the Old Port waterfront facing the St. Lawrence, right below the Château Frontenac. It is open all year and free to stroll, with public toilets open from 7 AM to 11 PM and great river and ferry views. Note that the parking lot here is paid.

A steep 4.2 km loop that climbs about 300 metres up the Eardley Escarpment beside Luskville Falls, with two lookouts over the Ottawa Valley and an old fire tower at the top. The falls are at their most powerful in May with the snowmelt. The trail and its parking lot are open from spring to fall and closed in winter. Access to the trail and parking is free; dogs are not allowed.

Formerly called the Sillery cliff trail, this 1.5 km path links the Saint-Michel-de-Sillery church to the Domaine Cataraqui through the historic Sillery estates, with a grand staircase down the cliff and sweeping views of the St. Lawrence. It is free and open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM all year; the staircase closes in winter, but most of the trail is groomed for winter walking. Access from rue du Cardinal-Persico or the Domaine Cataraqui.