Nothing beats hiking up a mountainside, filling your lungs with fresh air and being rewarded with spectacular scenery. The best part is you don’t have to walk for hours up a steep trail to get that reward. Many short and easy hikes offer stunning views.
Lanaudière has lots of family-friendly trails with easily accessible viewpoints that can be reached in under an hour. Here are six suggestions for effortless hikes with beautiful lookouts.
1. Mont-Sourire
Ideal for families and children, Mont-Sourire in Saint-Donat is a popular one-kilometre hike. The trail leads to a panoramic lookout point over the surrounding mountains. In the distance you can see the local ski resorts, as well as Lac Ouareau, Mont Ouareau and Montagne Noire. Dogs are allowed on the trail, so be sure to bring your pooch along for the fun!
2. Chutes Monte-à-Peine-et-des-dalles
The Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles waterfalls are accessible from three entry points: Saint-Jean-de-Matha, Sainte-Mélanie and Sainte-Béatrix. It’s a popular place to soak your feet in summer and take in the colourful vista in fall. Dogs are also welcome in the park. Some 12 kilometres of hiking trails are accessible alongside the breathtaking L’Assomption River, which runs for 5 km through the park. You can cross the river at three different bridges, taking in a superb view of the waterfalls.
3. Chute-à-Bull
Combine history and the great outdoors at the Chute-à-Bull Regional Park in Saint-Côme. A six-kilometre trail takes you to a lookout point and a historical covered bridge. Be sure to dip your feet in the water at the top of the 18-metre waterfall. The view is stunning! This park is ideal for the whole family, including dogs. Cabins are available to extend your stay.
4. Belvédère de la Croix
Belvédère de la Croix is one of the relatively easy trails in the Forêt Ouareau Regional Park in Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci. You’ll quickly reach a vantage point offering spectacular views of the village. The climb is only about 70 metres, making it ideal for children. Here, too, pets are welcome on the trail up to the short summit.
5. L’Envol TRAIL, Parc du Mont-Tremblant, secteur Pimbina
Located in Saint-Donat, the Pimbina sector of Mont-Tremblant National Park offers stunning views of the valley from the lookout point on L’Envol trail. The 4-kilometre hike takes you across a yellow birch maple grove, typical to the area. This is also an interpretation trail, where you can learn more about this mountainside forest.
6. Mont des Conscrits, Parc régional de la forêt Ouareau
Located in the Grande-Jetée sector of Chertsey, Mont des Conscrits is a must for keen hikers. The intermediate 3.5 km trail leads to two spectacular lookout points over the valley and mountains surrounding the Ouareau River.
