Montreal is a city that is renowned for its arts, culture, and gastronomy. However, beyond the city limits lies a breathtaking natural landscape that offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. If you are searching for breathtaking hiking trails near Montreal, then you have come to the right place. I’m pretty sure I have hiked everything that could be hiked near Montreal and people always ask me for my recommendations so I thought to put them all on this list even though I did mention my favorite ones in the province of Quebec.
The best hikes near Montreal trails included in this article are between a 1 to 3 hours drive from Montreal, so you don’t have to venture far to enjoy outdoor activities. Regardless of your level of hiking experience, there is a trail for everyone to relish, ranging from easy to difficult.
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Best Hikes Near Montreal – 1 hour away
Parc du Mont-Royal – Mount Royal Park Loop
Parc du Mont-Royal is a stunning natural gem, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, located in the heart of Montreal, Quebec. Hiking in this park is an incredible experience that offers the chance to explore an enchanting natural landscape, while also enjoying views of the city skyline.
You have different entry points for different trails, all very well maintained, so depending on where you want to start the difficulty will be different. I suggest the Mount Royal Park Loop, where you get to see the cities skyline, the giant metal cross, and the St. Lawrence River
Difficulty: Easy / Distance: 8.4 km
Over 4 million people visit this spot every year so it is far from your quiet retreat.
Mont Saint Bruno National Park – Sentier des Lacs
The Mont Saint Bruno National Park, located 30 minutes east of Montreal, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. I don’t know if you would include this as a hike or more of a walk through the forest but you should definitely go on the Sentier des Lacs.
The trail begins at the parking lot and leads hikers along a well-maintained path. The trail is home to a variety of wildlife, including beavers, deer, muskrats, and several bird species.
You will come across 3 different lakes, the first being Lac des Bouleaux, then Lac du Carrefour, and lastly Lac Seigneurial. Here, you can take a break on the lakeside benches and enjoy the view of the water. The trail then continues on through the forest before circling back to the parking lot.
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 8.9 km
Mont Saint Hilaire (Gault Nature Reserve) – Rocky and Dieppe Summit Loop
The Rocky and Dieppe Summit Loop located on the Gault Nature Reserve, 45 minutes drive from Montreal, takes you through a variety of terrain, including rocky outcrops, dense forest, and open fields, and offers a stunning view. The mountain is owned by McGill University and it is considered a base for scientific research so there are some parts that you won’t be able to access.
The trail begins at the parking lot and starts with a steep climb up the rocky outcrop known as Rocky Summit. At the top, you have an incredible panoramic view of the reserve and the surrounding hills.
After reaching the summit, the trail continues along the ridge before descending into a lush forest. You will ascend to the summit of Dieppe, which offers equally stunning views of the surrounding area. From that summit, you can see the nearby towns of Mont-Saint-Hilaire and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
After descending from Dieppe Summit, the trail continues through open fields and past a small pond before returning to the parking lot.
I adore this trail so much, I did my first ever solo hike on that mountain and I would 100% recommend it.
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 10 km
Mont Saint Gregoire – Cime Mont Saint-Gregoire Trail
The Cime Mont Saint-Gregoire Trail is definitely one of the easy hikes around Montreal, about a 30-minute drive from Montreal.
The trail begins at the base of the mountain and quickly starts to climb. You will encounter a mix of steep rocky sections and more gradual inclines but generally, the trail is well-maintained, with steps and handrails in some of the steeper areas to make the ascent easier.
At the top, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding area, including the Richelieu River and the nearby mountains such as Mont Saint-Hilaire or Mont Saint-Bruno.
It is one of the best fall hikes around Montreal you can try! The orange colors and crisp wind always make me feel good.
Difficulty: Easy / Distance: 2.3 km
Oka National Park – Mont Calvaire d’Oka
The Mont Calvaire d’Oka trail is located in Oka National Park, about a 45 minutes drive from Montreal.
There are 4 trails in the Park but my favorite one is the Mont Calvaire, which is a bit shorter but very rewarding at the top. The trail begins at the beach parking lot and starts with a gradual incline. As you make your way along the trail, you will pass through a mix of forested areas and open fields, with occasional views of the nearby lake.
At the summit of Mont Calvaire d’Oka, you have a panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the nearby lake and mountains, and standing 3 beautiful churches.
Difficulty: Easy / Distance: 4.7 km
Best Hikes Near Montreal – 2 hours away
Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook – Gorge de Coaticook Park Loop
The Gorge de Coaticook Trail is a scenic and popular hike located in Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, about 2 hours drive east of Montreal. And yes that’s where they make the delicious Coaticook ice cream.
The trail begins at the entrance of the park and follows a well-marked path through the forest. Along the trail, you have views of the Coaticook River and the lush vegetation that lines its banks. And after a short distance, the trail begins to climb and leads you to a series of impressive suspension bridges that span the gorge.
As the trail continues, it winds its way through the forest and past several scenic viewpoints. One of the highlights of the hike is the lookout tower.
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 8 km
Sutton Natural Environment Park – Round Top and Lac Spruce Loop
A great summer hike as well as a winter hike, the Round Top and Lac Spruce Loop in Sutton Natural Environment Park is a peaceful hiking trail that takes you through lush forests, past sparkling lakes, and up to breathtaking viewpoints. You really get to see everything.
The trail begins at the Round Top parking lot and heads uphill through a forest of tall trees. After about 1 kilometer, you will reach the first viewpoint, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You then descend towards Lac Spruce, a picturesque mountain lake that is perfect for a refreshing swim on a hot summer day.
From Lac Spruce, the trail continues uphill toward Round Top, the highest point in the park.
The trail is well-marked with signs and arrows, and there are several information panels along the way that provide information about the park’s flora, fauna, and history.
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 6.9 km
Mont-Orford National Park – Mont Chauve
You have 8 different trail possibilities on Mont Orford and they are all quite nice but I want to mention my favorite which is the Mont Chauve.
The trail begins at the Bonnalie visitor center and heads uphill through a dense forest. As you climb, the trail becomes steeper and rockier, which will require you to scramble over boulders and tree roots. Along the way, there are several lookout points that offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
From the summit, you get stunning views of the surrounding mountains, including Mont-Orford, Mont Giroux, and Mont Ham.
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 10.9 km
Best Hikes Near Montreal – 3 hours away
La Mauricie National Park – Mekinac Trail Loop
La Mauricie National Park is about 2.5 hour’s drive away from Montreal. My first favorite trail is the Mekinac Trail Loop named after the Mekinac River, which flows through the park and offers stunning views throughout the hike.
The trail begins at the park’s Riviere-a-la-Peche parking lot that takes you through a mix of forested areas, rocky outcrops, and along the banks of the Mekinac River. You will face some steep sections but generally manageable terrain.
One of the highlights of the hike is the Cascades de la Mekinac, which can be accessed via a short detour from the main trail. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic or a refreshing swim on a hot day.
After passing the waterfall, the trail continues along the river before looping back to the starting point.
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 10.3 km
La Mauricie National Park – Lac-du-Pimbina Trail
The Lac-du-Pimbina Trail is my second favorite hiking trail located in La Mauricie National Park.
The trail begins at the Lac-du-Pimbina parking lot and takes you through a mix of forested areas and rocky outcrops and 5 different lakes including the Cascade de la Pimbina.
The hike features numerous lookout points where you can take in panoramic views of the surrounding ridges and crystal-clear lakes. By mid-summer, the water temperature is just right for swimming, so make sure to pack your bathing suit and take a refreshing dip! The stunning vistas and inviting waters are sure to leave you breathless.
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 13 km
Mont-Megantic National Park (Mont Saint Joseph – Mont Victoria – Mont Mégantic)
This is my favorite yearly hike. I have been doing it once a year for the past 5 years and every time I’m in awe. I usually do the Mont Mégantic trail or the Mont Saint Joseph trail but if you want an extra challenge you can do the whole loop.
The trail begins at the Mont-Megantic National Park Visitors Centre and starts with a gradual climb up to Mont Saint Joseph. The trail then winds its way through the forest, with several rocky sections and stream crossings, before reaching the summit of Mont Victoria.
From there, the ascent up Mont Mégantic is steep and challenging, with several switchbacks and rocky sections, but the effort is well worth it. The summit is also home to the Mont-Megantic Observatory, making it a popular spot for stargazing. From that top, you can even see the US.
After taking in the views, you can continue on the trail loop, which takes you down the other side of the mountain and through more forested areas before looping back to the Visitors Centre.
A lot of people will say that the Mont Mégantic is the highlight of the hike but I personally love the Mont Saint Joseph a lot more. It’s also a quieter path and the view from the top is priceless.
Difficulty: Hard / Distance: 16.3 km
Parc national de la Jacques‑Cartier – les loups trail
The Les Loups trail in Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier is a hard hike that offers scenic views of the Jacques-Cartier River and the surrounding forests. You will walk through a mix of forest and open areas, providing ample opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the natural beauty of the park. It is the furthest mountain from Montreal, about 3 hours and a half drive.
The trail starts at the Discovery and Visitors Centre and follows the Jacques-Cartier River for a short distance before heading uphill through the forest. The trail becomes steeper and more challenging, but the reward of reaching the summit of Mont des Loups makes it well worth the effort.
At the summit, you get a panoramic view of the Jacques-Cartier Valley and the most striking fractures of the Laurentian Massif. The summit also offers a great vantage point for watching the park’s resident wildlife, including moose, deer, and black bears.
Difficulty: Hard / Distance: 9.7 km
Let me know in the comments what are the best Hikes near Montreal you have tried or you wish you could try!
Until next time,
Sofyah,
