From its historical landmarks to its thriving cultural scene, there are dozens of reasons why Montreal is a popular tourist destination. And while there is so much to explore within the community, sometimes you just need to leave the big city behind.
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Fortunately, Montreal is home to many great natural areas just a short drive from its downtown area, perfect for enjoying a day hike. From easy paths perfect for city-dwelling beginners to mountain paths best undertaken by experienced trekkers, these are the 13 best Montreal hiking trails for enjoying an outdoor adventure near the city.
A Quick Look At The Best Montreal Hiking Trails
- Lachine Canal Trail
- Moose Back Loop Trail
- Oka National Park
- Dieppe Trail – Mont Saint Hilaire
- Parc du-Mont Royal Loop
- Le Grand Tour Trail
- Le Haut-Lieu Trail Network – Mont Rigaud
- Parc Maisonneuve Loop
- Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park
- Grand Prix des Couleurs – Mont Tremblant National Park
- Morgan Arboretum
- Gorge Canyon Trail
- The Little River Way
The 13 Best Hiking Trails Near Montreal
1. Lachine Canal Trail
We are going to start this list of the best hikes in Montreal with a nice leisurely stroll along the picturesque Lachine Canal within walking distance of the downtown area.
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Once a bustling water route of commerce, the historic canal was closed to shipping in 1970 and has been transformed into a scenic corridor perfect for hiking, biking, and rollerblading.
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The entire route spans 13.5 km from the Old Port of Montreal to Lake Saint-Louis. And while the entire hike takes about two hours to complete and rewards some stunning views, visitors can jump onto the trail from any point, tailoring the length of the hike to their own abilities and desires.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty:Â Easy
Trailhead: Old Port of Montreal
Distance from Montreal: 7.1 km from downtown
Length of Hike: 13.5 km
Elevation Gain: minimal
Estimated Duration: 2 hours
2. Moose Back Loop Trail
A more difficult hike, the Mooseback Loop Trail is perfect for those looking for more of a challenge. Also known as the Round Top Trail, the path loops its way through the Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton, with the trailhead being about an hour and a half drive from the city.Â
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Still, those willing to make the trek will be rewarded with one of the best hikes in the Montreal area, complete with breathtaking panoramic views of the park and its natural lush landscapes.Â
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This hike does feature an elevation gain of 1,433 ft. So be prepared for a physically demanding journey.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Challenging
Trailhead: Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton – PENS
Distance from Montreal: 119 km (1 hour 30 minutes driving)
Length of Hike: 7.1 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 1,433 ft
Estimated Duration: 3 hours
3. Oka National Park
Located just a 45-minute drive from Montreal, Oka National Park protects an area of 23.7 square kilometres and is famous for its 7-kilometre beach, its Lac des Deux Montagnes, and its numerous marked hiking trails.
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While there are several paths you can take, the Calvaire of Oka via Chemin des Recoltes is my favourite. The 8.2 km trail loops its way through the park, offering great vantage points for spotting local wildlife.
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The Oka Calvaire Trail is also famous for its seven chapels that dot the route’s low-hanging hills, originally built by priests of the Sulpician Order.
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While the hike is most popular in the summer, the park is open throughout the year and makes for a great snowshoeing route.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Park Entrance
Distance from Montreal: 59.2 km (45 minutes driving)
Length of Hike: 8.2 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 666 ft
Estimated Duration: Â 2 hours 15 minutes
4. Dieppe Trail – Mont Saint-Hilaire
Following the slopes of Mont Saint-Hilaire, the Dieppe Trail is one of the best Montreal hikes within the Gault Nature Reserve, which, as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is home to a great variety of local flora and fauna, including 600 plant species, 800 types of butterflies, 45 different kinds of mammals, and 180 bird species.
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Perfect for nature lovers, the Dieppe Trail is a moderately challenging hike that climbs to the summit of Mont Saint-Hilaire, with a total elevation gain of 839 ft. After admiring the views, hikers descend down the mountain the same way they came for a total out-and-back hike of 8.2 km, which takes about 2.5 hours to complete.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Stationnement Mont St-Hilaire
Distance from Montreal: 52.6 km (50-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 8.2 km out-&-back trail
Elevation Gain: 839 ft
Estimated Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
5. Mount Royal Park Loop – Parc du Mont-Royal
The Mount Royal Park trail is the perfect hike for those looking for a moderately challenging trek just a short walk from downtown. Located in the heart of the city, the route follows a well-maintained trail that starts at the parking lot and ascends up to Mont Royal.
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The hike does feature a total elevation gain of 682 feet, making this a relatively easy to moderate hike for most people. Still, it takes about 45 minutes to reach the summit and about 2 hours total to complete, including time to admire the views from the Mount Royal Lookout.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Mont Royal Parking Lot
Distance from Montreal: Located downtown
Length of Hike: 8.5 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 682 feet
Estimated Duration: 2 hours
6. Le Grand Tour Trail
Despite being one of the longer hikes featured on this list, Le Grand Tour Trail is a relatively easy trek perfect for those less experienced hikers looking for an extended journey immersing in the natural environments of Yamaska National Park.
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While there are several paths weaving their way through the national park, the Le Grand Tour Trail is the best option for exploring the grandeur of the region, promising plenty of beautiful views as it wraps around Lake Yamasaka.
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Along the way, keen-eyed hikers will be able to spot indigenous wildlife, including bobcats, moose, coyotes, white-tail deer, Canadian beaver, and North American porcupines.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Yamaska National Park
Distance from Montreal: 92.7 km (1 hour 15-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 18 km loop
Elevation Gain: 344 ft
Estimated Duration: 5 hours
7. Le Haut-Lieu Trail Network – Mont Rigaud
Starting from the Stationnement P2 in Sentiers de L’escapade, the Le Haut-Lieu Trail is another fantastic Montreal hiking trail that follows the ridges of Mont Rigaud as it explores the beautiful natural landscapes of the countryside, just an hour’s drive from Montreal.
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The hike follows a 13.8 km loop trail with a total elevation gain of 662 feet. The path rewards breathtaking views of the park and includes several picnic tables along the way, perfect for taking a break.
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The hike takes about 3 hours to complete, but the journey can be made in a number of ways, including horseback riding and hiking throughout the summer. Meanwhile, the trail is open to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and fat biking throughout the winter months.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Stationnement P2 – Sentiers de L’escapade
Distance from Montreal: 70 km (1 hour drive)
Length of Hike: 13.8 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 662 ft
Estimated Duration: 3 hours
8. Parc Maisonneuve Loop
One of the best Montreal hiking trails found just outside of the downtown area, the Parc Maisonneuve Loop is a 3.2 km loop trail that features minimal elevation gains and is perfect for city dwellers looking for a natural escape while enjoying a brisk stroll through the park.
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The entire path can be completed in under an hour on foot, although the loop trail is made even more exciting throughout the winter months, with the park opening for cross-country skiing and public skating along its outdoor ice rink.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Maisonneuve Park Welcome Centre
Distance from Montreal: 11.1 km from downtown
Length of Hike: 3.2 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: minimal
Estimated Duration: 45 minutes
9. Mont Saint Bruno National Park
Set along the banks of the southern shore of the Saint Lawrence River, Mont Saint.-Bruno National Park is a treasure trove of biodiversity just a short 30-minute drive from the city. The park promises 20 km of trails weaving through its various ecosystems.Â
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And while visitors are invited to explore them all, I highly suggest the Sentier des Lacs for those who only have time to do a single hike. This moderately challenging path completes a wide 8.9 km loop that showcases the breadth of the park’s natural beauty, including passing by all 5 of the park’s lakes.
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While popular in the summer, Mont Saint Bruno National Park is open throughout the winter for snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Centre de découverte et de service
Distance from Montreal: 31 km (30 minute drive)
Length of Hike: 8.9 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 413 ft
Estimated Duration: 2 hours
10. Grand Prix des Couleurs – Mont Tremblant National Park
Famous for its world-class ski slopes, Mont Tremblant National Park is an outdoor playground complete with some of the best hiking trails within a two-hour drive from Montreal.
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Of its many interweaving trails, the Grand Prix des Couleurs is the absolute best at showcasing the natural splendour of the region and poses a welcome degree of difficulty for those looking for a challenging trek.
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Starting at the gondola at the south end of the mountain, this hike features a total elevation gain of 1,732 ft over its 2.25 km trail and ends at the summit of the mountain, where you are rewarded with surreal views.
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You can complete the journey by descending the mountain along the same path you took up, or you can take the easy way down along the lift.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Challenging
Trailhead: Next to the Gondola
Distance from Montreal: 149 km (1 hour 45 minute drive)
Length of Hike: 5.5 km out-and-back trail
Elevation Gain: 1732 ft
Estimated Duration: 2 hours
11. Morgan Arboretum
Located along the southwestern edge of the Island of Montreal, Morgan Arboretum is a naturally preserved part of McGill University’s Macdonald Campus and offers great year-round hiking opportunities just a short 30-minute drive from downtown Montreal.
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The arboretum boasts a great network of trails, with its main 4.2 km loop path proving to be a great stroll as it highlights the region’s natural beauty. Along with offering an immersion into the lush vegetation of the region, the area is home to 45 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Entrance
Distance from Montreal: 38 km (30 minute drive)
Length of Hike: 4.2 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: minimal
Estimated Duration: >1 hour
12. Gorge Canyon Trail
About two and a half hour’s drive from Montreal, the Gorge Canyon Trail is a little bit further from the city than other Montreal hiking trails featured on this list. Still, it is one of the most beautiful treks in the area and is well worth the extended journey to reach.
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Starting from the entrance to the Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, this Gorge Canyon Trail loops around 8 km of the beautiful park with a total elevation gain of 879 ft for a moderate challenge.Â
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Along the way, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking scenic views of the Coaticook Gorge, which you cross across a suspended footbridge. The hike continues back to the parking lot, passing by various landmarks along the way, including a dam, a hydroelectric power station, and a cave.
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Overall, this is the perfect Montreal hiking trail for adventure seekers.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Park Entrance
Distance from Montreal: 166 km (2 hour drive)
Length of Hike: 8 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 879 ft
Estimated Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
13. The Little River Way
Promising a day-long adventure from the heart of the city, The Little River Way is one of the best Montreal hiking trails that starts just a short walk from downtown.
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The trail starts at the Estacade du Pont Champlain bridge, which can be accessed at the end of Parc du Cours-du-Fleuve on Nun’s Island. From there, you follow the path as it crosses the St. Lawrence River to a long stretch of land that follows the waterway for several kilometres to the south.
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The hike is relatively easy, featuring minimal elevation gain but extending for a total of 31.7 km out-&-back hike. While it makes for a great walking path, visitors can also complete the route via bike or rollerblading.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Parc du Cours-du-Fleuve
Distance from Montreal: 6.4 km from downtown
Length of Hike: 31.7 km
Elevation Gain: 137 ft
Estimated Duration: 6 hours
