Parc national du Mont-Tremblant

Parc national du Mont-Tremblant is a large protected area in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, north of Montreal, and it is quite separate from the ski resort of Mont-Tremblant that sits on its southeastern edge. Created in 1894, it is Quebec’s oldest national park, and it protects about 1,500 square kilometres of hills, lakes, rivers and forest. While the resort village offers lifts, shops and restaurants, the park is a wilderness area, where the main activities are walking, paddling, camping and wildlife watching.

The landscape is typical of the Laurentians. Rounded, ancient mountains covered in forest rise above deep valleys, and more than four hundred lakes and many rivers wind between them. Mont Tremblant itself is the highest summit in the Laurentians, and the Diable, Pimbina and Assomption sectors of the park each have a different feel, with different trails, campsites and lakes. Forests of sugar maple, yellow birch, spruce and fir cover the slopes, and in autumn the colour is spectacular. Wildlife includes moose, black bears, wolves, beavers and loons, and the park is also a haven for many species of birds.

Visitors can choose from a long list of activities. Hiking trails range from short walks to waterfalls and lookouts to demanding routes up steep ridges, and the views from the higher points reach across forested hills to the horizon. Canoeing and kayaking are popular on the lakes and the Diable River, with canoe-camping routes of several days for experienced paddlers, and swimming is possible on beaches along some lakes. Campsites, cabins and rustic shelters make it possible to stay overnight, and some sites are only reachable on foot or by water. In winter the park is a destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter camping, and the snow-covered lakes are very quiet.

The park is open year-round, though some services operate only in season. Entry requires a daily fee or an annual pass in most sectors, so check with the park’s authority, and booking campsites in summer is wise. The visitor reception buildings provide maps, trail advice and information about conditions, and staff can help plan a route that suits your fitness and experience.

It suits hikers, paddlers, campers and families who want a day of nature close to the resort. Weather in the Laurentians changes quickly, so bring layers, rain gear, insect repellent in early summer and plenty of water. The nearest sectors are reached by road from the resort town of Mont-Tremblant, and the park is about a ninety-minute drive from Montreal’s northern suburbs.