5 of the Best places for your last fall hikes
Color season is in its final act, but the show isn’t completely over. According to Bonjour Québec’s interactive fall color map, the season is “declining” or “over” in several regions of the province. But there are still places where the leaves seem less eager to fall. Here are a few, if you want to go check it out!
GAULT NATURE RESERVE, MONTÉRÉGIE
Go for a walk on Mont Saint-Hilaire? A classic for many hikers in the Montreal region. The Gault Nature Reserve protects 1,000 hectares of natural habitats and offers 25 km of trails. Four peaks provide views of the area’s fields, but the color show is generally more prominent on the trails themselves and around Lake Hertell.
OKA NATIONAL PARK, LAURENTIANS
The hardwoods of the Lower Laurentians are magnificent during the color season. Whether it’s for a stroll on the beach, a hike on the popular Calvaire d’Oka trail (4.4 km round trip) or a walk on the floating footbridges of the Grande-Baie loop (4 km), the national park is a pleasant destination to enjoy.
MOUNT ROYAL PARK, MONTREAL
The color blaze generally lasts longer in Montreal. Regardless of how late in the season, Mount Royal Park, in the heart of the city, offers pleasant urban hikes on wooded trails ranging in length from 1 km to 7 km. The view of the city center from the Kondiaronk lookout on the top of the “mountain” should not be missed.
ANSE-DU-PORT ECO-MARINE PARK, CENTRE-DU-QUÉBEC
This natural park is located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River and borders the Lac-Saint-Pierre World Biosphere Reserve, in Nicolet. It stands out, among other things, for its 710 m trail on stilts, which will take you through a pretty maple grove and a marsh. The boardwalk will take you to a 12.3m high observation tower. If there are colors left, this is the perfect place to admire them!
LAVAL NATURE CENTER, LAVAL
There are a host of activities for families at the Center nature de Laval (game modules, haunted house for Halloween, mini cycling circuit, etc.), but also a 5 km circuit of walking trails. Until very recently, it was the place in Quebec where the colors were the least advanced, according to Bonjour Québec’s color map.
