Updated September 16, 2021
While Montreal is a fun and beautiful city in itself, one of its most wonderful attributes is its proximity to beautiful outdoor areas. Hiking near Montreal is one of the best ways to get outdoors and explore some of the beautiful mountains, lakes, and national parks that Quebec has to offer. We created this guide to 17 of the best hikes near Montreal to help you plan your next outdoor adventure. Once you’re done exploring the cute cafes and European vibes of Montreal, grab your favorite day pack and lace up your boots to experience some of the most breathtaking views in Canada!
Easy Hikes Near Montreal
Lachine Canal
- Trail Length: 4.1 miles
- Location: Westmount
As one of the most beautiful and scenic urban trails in Canada, the Lachine Canal trail extends 4.1 miles through the city and offers beautiful glimpses into the Lachine Canal and the surrounding neighborhoods. Used by hikers, runners, and bikers, the path does tend to get quite crowded, but it’s fabulous for people watching or soaking up fresh air on a sunny day without having to leave the city. Here, you’ll find paved, flat paths that line the canal, perfect for hikers of all levels, children, and dogs.
Morgan Arboretum
- Trail Length: 1 to 2.8 miles
- Location: Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec
Accessible by public transportation, Morgan Arboretum in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue is a lovely place for an afternoon stroll through a beautiful, wooded setting. While this trail does not have any bird’s eye views or ascents, it does have a few historic structures and lots of shady pathways to explore. For a peaceful, tree-lined walk on a flat, shady trail, you can’t go wrong with Morgan Arboretum.
Mount Royal
- Trail Length: 8.4 kilometers
- Location: Parc du Mont-Royal
For the best views of the Montreal skyline, head to Mount Royal for an easy, fun hike to a spectacular city viewpoint. While there is a gradual incline to get to the top of the hill, this trail is accessible to hikers of all levels, as well as children. You’ll definitely break a sweat on the staircases, but trust us – the vistas are 100% worth it. We’d recommend going early in the morning for the smallest crowds and the most stunning city views.
As the Mount Royal trail is an urban trail and a famous landmark for tourists, it attracts ~4 million visitors each year. Therefore, if you’re looking for a quiet, peaceful nature experience, this is probably not the trail for you.
Le Haut-Lieu Trail
- Trail Length: 8.4 miles
- Location: Sentiers de l’Escapade
A local favorite, Le Haut-Lieu Trail is one of the best and most beloved hikes near Montreal. A full 8.4 miles, this longer stretch of gravel trails is a fun way to spend a half or full day exploring some of the beautiful forest paths of Sentiers de l’Escapade. With a mostly wooded pathway, don’t expect any crazy panoramas here, but for people who want to spend a long time in the woods, away from the crowds of the city or the more popular trails, Le Haut-Lieu Trail is a great option.
Lac des Bouleaux
- Trail Length: 5.4 miles
- Location: Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park
One of the most beautiful areas for hiking near Montreal is Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park, which is known for its sweeping forests, rolling mountains, and gorgeous lakes. One of the most popular hikes near Montreal is the Lac des Bouleaux trail, which features a loop trail around two scenic mountain lakes. “Bouleaux” translates to birch trees, which are abundant in the heavily forested trails in Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park. The trail offers ample opportunities for wildlife watching and is especially beautiful in the fall, when the leaves change to bright reds, oranges, and yellows. Head here year round for a solid, picturesque hiking experience.
Mont Saint Gregoire
- Trail Length: 1.4 miles
- Location: Mont-Saint-Grégoire
If you’re looking for a short trail that has a little bit of everything, head to Mont Saint Gregoire for some great hiking near Montreal. With scenic views, historic sights and ruins, and wooded paths, this trail packs a punch for such a short distance. Accessible to hikers of all levels, we’d recommend starting this trail as early as possible, as the summit does not have much shade (although the trail itself is full of trees). At the summit, you’ll find nice views of the surrounding farms and countryside, as well as several rocky outcroppings perfect for a snack or a picnic!
Gorge de Coaticook Trail
- Trail Length: 2 kilometers
- Location: Coaticook
If you’re looking for (in our opinion) the best of the short hikes near Montreal, the Gorge de Coaticook trail is a must. Home to an incredibly scenic suspension bridge that was once the longest in the world, this breathtaking trail is short but absolutely stunning. You’ll catch glimpses of the deep canyon and river here as you cross the suspension bridge, and enjoy some of the forested areas nearby in just 2 short kilometers. Bring your camera – this is definitely a place you’ll want to take pictures at!
Le Grand Tour Trail
- Trail Length: 18.4 kilometers
- Location: Yamaska National Park
For those seeking a break from some of the more popular trails on our list, head to Yamaska National Park and tackle the easy but long Le Grand Tour trail. This quiet loop trail wraps around the perimeter of the Choiniere Reservoir in Yamaska National Park. You’ll get plenty of waterfront views, wooded areas, and rocky trails here! There are also lots of opportunities to see local wildlife, like birds and deer.
Moderate Hikes Near Montreal
Mont-Saint-Hilaire Grand Tour Loop
- Trail Length: 7.3 miles
- Location: Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Mont-Saint-Hilaire is one of the most beloved places to go hiking near Montreal, and the Grand Tour Loop offers a combination of everything this nature area has to offer. With 4 summits and lots of beautiful forest views, this trail has a variety of terrain across moderate inclines and descents. The nearby Dieppe Trail is also a fantastic, shorter option if you are a little more crunched for time. Locals say that this is the closest of the hikes near Montreal that truly feels like a nature trail, rather than a more urban setting.
Note: There is an $8 fee per day for adults and you must book online.
Oka National Park
- Trail Length: varies
- Location: Oka National Park
Oka National Park boasts some really lovely hiking trails past lakes, forests, and hilltop summits. While the trails here aren’t too challenging, they do offer some rolling inclines and descents to make things interesting! There are a few nice views of the countryside here, but one of the main highlights of the trail is a historic chapel that still remains along the dirt paths. Be sure to tackle the Calvaire trail for the best views of nearby Lac des Deux Montagnes!
Lac-du-Pimbina Trail
- Trail Length: 8.1 miles
- Location: La Mauricie National Park
Located in La Mauricie National Park, the Lac-du-Pimbina trail is a jaw-dropping hike through the top of the mountains, with views overlooking the stunning lakes dotted throughout the park. During the colder months, there’s a heated shelter that serves food so you can warm up around the halfway point. For experienced hikers who want even more of a challenge, the Sentier Mekinac Trail is a fantastic alternative! Note that the park is home to bears, so be sure to come armed with bear spray and know what to do when you encounter a bear.
Le Scotora Trail
- Trail Length: 15.8 kilometers
- Location: Jacques-Cartier National Park
Jacques Cartier National Park may be one of the most beautiful places for hiking near Montreal, and the Le Scotora Trail is the cream of the crop. At 15.8 kilometers, this longer hike brings you up a gradual ascent to the summit of Le Scotora, where you’ll enjoy incredible, breathtaking views of the valley and the Jacques Cartier River below. Watch out for loose rocks and mosquitoes along the trail – good hiking boots and bug repellent is ALWAYS recommended here.
Challenging Hikes Near Montreal
Grand Brule to Pic White
- Trail Length: 7.3 miles
- Location: Mont Tremblant National Part
While there are tons of trails in Mont Tremblant National Park during the summer (when the snow from ski season has melted!), local experienced hikers love Grand Brule to Pic White, which is a summit hike that takes you through forests, rocky areas, and to a few lovely viewpoints along the way. This trail’s got wide meadows, waterfalls, and lake vistas into the valley. As a fun plus, you can zipline down from the summit with advance reservations, or take a ski lift down! Note that this is a very heavily trafficked trail, so start early to avoid the crowds.
Note: Parking is $15 per car.
Sutton Ridge Loop
- Trail Length: 12.9 kilometers
- Location: Sutton Natural Environment Park
For experienced hikers looking for a rugged and beautiful challenge, the Sutton Ridge Loop trail is a memorable option for hiking near Montreal. The trail’s got a bit of everything – wooded paths, beautiful creeks and cascades, and sweeping summit views of the entire Sutton Natural Environment Park area. However, don’t think that getting to the top is a breeze – the trail has got rock scrambles, rope climbs, and steep staircases en route to the final summit. Definitely a trail for adrenaline-seeking, experienced hikers only!
Pic de l’Ours via Le Sentier des Crêtes
- Trail Length: 7.2 miles
- Location: Mont Orford National Park
For intrepid souls who want to experience the best of Mont Orford National Park, the Pic de l’Ours trail is one of the most spectacular hikes near Montreal. Taking experienced hikers through the forests of the park up to the highest peak, Pic de l’Ours, this trail boasts absolutely jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and Lake Stukely.
This trail is particularly challenging because of its rocky ascents and steep elevation gain, but can be done by children who have hiked previously (according to local reviewers). You can do this loop on its own or continue on the trail to summit Mount Orford as well (which adds another 8 miles to the hike).
Sept-Chutes (Seven Waterfalls) Loop
- Trail Length: 6.5 miles
- Location: Sept Chutes Regional Park
Of course, we’ve saved the best for last. Perhaps the most magnificent trail on our entire list, the Seven Waterfalls Loop (Sept Chutes) is an absolutely stunning trail that’s well worth the difficult trek to get through. Locals love this trail because it’s generally less crowded than some of the national park trails on our list, but offers unique views of the seven waterfalls along the trail, the nearby lakes, and the valleys below. This hike definitely has its share of rocky ascents, but the many viewpoints, waterfalls, and beautiful forest areas are a perfect reward for your effort!
Note: This trail has a fee depending on group size and composition.
Additional Resources for Hiking Near Montreal
What to Bring Hiking Near Montreal
- Breathable hiking clothes – For warmer hikes, you’ll want to wear a sweat-wicking shirt and breathable pants, like these Patagonia hiking shorts for men and women. For cold-weather hikes, we recommend dressing in layers, including merino wool baselayers for men and women, a down puffer jacket for men and women, and a Northface waterproof outer shell for men and women (a must for hiking in Seattle). And don’t forget a pair of the best women’s and men’s hiking socks!
- Trekking poles – You won’t need these for every single hike, but we suggest throwing them in your car just in case. We recommend the Black Diamond Trail Ergo cork trekking poles, which are lightweight, easy to transport, and durable.
- Water bottle – Having water available at all times is a huge must. To limit disposable plastic, we recommend bringing your own refillable water bottle. We’re obsessed with Hydro Flask water bottles because they keep water cold for hours.
- Sunscreen and bug spray – Sweatproof sunscreen and DEET bug spray can help you avoid sunburn and bug bites, two of hiking’s most annoying after-effects. Our favorite kind of sunscreen is Sun Bum, as it is free of harsh chemicals and safe for marine life, including coral reefs.
- A brimmed hat or cap – The sun can be brutal in open hikes, so always pack a brimmed hat or cap for day hikes in the sunshine.
- Emergency blanket and first aid kit – We’d strongly recommend bringing a first aid kit and a lightweight emergency blanket on every hike. Why? Because the unfathomable can happen, and it’s always best to play it safe.
- Durable day pack – A durable day pack is the perfect spot to stash all your hiking gear. While any backpack will do, we recommend the Osprey Tempest 20 or the Talon 22 day packs because they’re comfortable and breathable for long hikes. For more information, check out our best day packs for any terrain guide.
Wondering what exactly you should pack for your next hike? Visit our Complete Day Hiking Packing List for our full list and our top gear recommendations.