The 9 best places for winter hiking on the South Shore
Are you the type of person who loves winter for the sports that this season allows you to practice in invigorating air and sparkling snow? Hiking trails are not only very enjoyable to walk during summer and autumn, but also throughout the winter season.
For outdoor enthusiasts who love to take beautiful walks in an environment where nature is queen, there are several hiking trails on the South Shore that can be walked in winter, which will make you appreciate our beautiful snowy season in Quebec.
Here are some places that will please you:
Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park
Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park is part of Sépaq (Société des établissements de plein air du Québec), so it offers multiple activities in a prime environment. For winter hiking, you will be spoiled for choice with this destination. The park provides 3 hiking trails. This magnificent park is worth visiting in winter as well as in summer.
You will find a 3.5 km trail, including a 1.5 km loop, as well as a walking trail that stretches over 7 km. This last trail goes around Seigneurial Lake. A charming and very pleasant place.
Park address: 330 Rang des 25 E. Saint-Bruno, QC J3V 4P6
Website: https://www.sepaq.com/pq/msb/
Phone: (450) 653-7544
Access pricing:
Daily access:
$9.25/ Adult (18 years and older)
Free daily access / Child (17 years and younger)
Annual Park Card
Unlimited access to a single national park for 12 months
$46.25/ Adult (18 years and older)
Annual Quebec National Parks Card
Unlimited access to all national parks for 12 months
(Taxes are included in the price)
Special information: Leashed dogs are accepted under certain conditions:
https://www.sepaq.com/animaux/
Îles-de-Boucherville National Park
Îles-de-Boucherville National Park, like the one in Saint-Bruno, is part of Sépaq and offers interesting activities close to Montreal. On Île de la Commune, there are 5 km of trails and 7 km on Île Sainte-Marguerite, in a quiet and bucolic environment.
This is a delight for walkers who love outdoor winter activities. In addition, Îles-de-Boucherville National Park extends over a flat terrain, which promotes sled rides on marked trails. This makes many families happy. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Park address: 55 Île Sainte Marguerite, Boucherville, QC J4B 5J6
Phone: (450) 928-5088
Website: https://www.sepaq.com/pq/bou/information.dot
Access pricing:
Daily access
$9.25/ Adult (18 years and older)
Free / Child (17 years and younger)
Annual Park Card
Unlimited access to a single national park for 12 months
$46.25/ Adult (18 years and older)
Annual Quebec National Parks Card
Unlimited access to all national parks for 12 months
Special information: Leashed dogs are accepted under certain conditions:
https://www.sepaq.com/animaux/
Sainte-Catherine’s Récré-O-Parc
The Récré-O-Parc de Sainte-Catherine is a pleasant place to walk along a trail on the South Shore in winter. It offers a 2 km linear walking trail. Located along the river, the Récré-O-Parc de Sainte-Catherine is home to a migratory bird sanctuary, making it very enjoyable for nature lovers!
Park address: 5340 boul. Marie-Victorin, Sainte-Catherine, QC J5C 1L9
Website: https://recreoparc.org/activities/marche-en-sentiers/
Phone: (450) 635-3011
Access pricing: Access to the site is free all year round.
Specific information: Dogs on a leash are allowed.
Michel-Chartrand Regional Park in Longueuil
If you are a fan of nature and hiking on the South Shore in winter, as well as in summer, you will be well served at the Michel-Chartrand Regional Park in Longueuil.
This park offers a dream environment for outdoor activity enthusiasts. To stay in shape while being surrounded by nature, these trails are the ideal place. The environment is magical, appealing to both young and old alike.
In winter, the park offers 5 out of 6 open trails. So, you have the option to choose the route that suits your needs.
In addition, this regional park provides access to a reception pavilion with a snack bar, sanitary services and first aid, as well as ample free parking.
Therefore, visiting the Michel-Chartrand Regional Park in Longueuil in any season is worth it. The activities offered are perfect and enjoyable for the whole family.
Park address: 1895 Rue Adoncour, Longueuil, QC J4J 5G8
Website: https://www.longueuil.quebec/fr/parc-michel-chartrand
Phone: (450) 468-7617
Access pricing: Free
Specific information: Please note that dogs are not allowed.
Gault Nature Reserve of McGill University
The Gault Nature Reserve, located in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, is a natural site that has belonged to McGill University for over sixty years. You can enjoy various activities, including hiking on the trails that extend over approximately 25 kilometers in the heart of nature. Moreover, walks with your dog are allowed. The Reserve offers access to a reception pavilion.
Park address: 422 Chem. des Moulins, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC J3G 4S6
Website: https://gault.mcgill.ca/fr/randonnee-et-plein-air/#a-sentiers
Phone: (450) 467-4010
Access pricing:
$9.25 / Adult (18 years and older)
Free / Child (17 years and younger)
Jean-Baptiste Jodoin Trails (Cidrerie Michel Jodoin)
The Jean-Baptiste Jodoin Trails (Cidrerie Michel Jodoin), located in Rougemont, are a very popular and pleasant site for hiking in winter as well as in summer. The trails allow you to reach the summit and find a lookout offering a splendid view of the surrounding mountains. The trails total approximately 4.6 km of mountain trails.
It is recommended to wear boots with crampons on the trails during the winter period.
Park address: 1130 Rang, 1130 La Petite-Caroline, Rougemont, Québec J0L 1M0
Website: https://www.micheljodoin.ca/
Phone: (450) 469-2676
Access pricing:
$4.00 / Adult
Free / Child (12 years and younger)
Specific information: for a fee of $3, it is possible to hike in the mountains with your dog on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays throughout the year. However, you must follow the established rules, including the use of a leash.
Marguerite-d’Youville Wildlife Refuge
Do you enjoy bird watching? Do you love taking walks in nature? Then you will enjoy Île Saint-Bernard, also known as the Marguerite-d’Youville Wildlife Refuge in Châteauguay.
The Refuge features 8 km of hiking trails that are accessible in both winter and summer. Some amenities are available, including a reception pavilion, picnic tables, and restrooms.
The Marguerite-d’Youville Wildlife Refuge is a pleasant place to visit in all seasons. So, do not hesitate to come and take a look!
Address: 480 boul. D’Youville, Châteauguay, QC J6J 5T9
Website: https://ilesaintbernard.com/ilerefuge/
Phone: (450) 698-3133
To consult the pricing table, please click on the following link:
https://ilesaintbernard.com/tarification/
Specific information: please note that dogs and other domestic animals are not allowed on the trails.
Fernand-Seguin Ecological Centre
The Fernand-Seguin Ecological Centre is a site located in Châteauguay that offers various outdoor activities. One of these is hiking, which is very popular among nature lovers. Moreover, it is accessible for free throughout the year.
During the winter, walking can be practiced over a distance of two kilometres, and from spring to autumn, families can enjoy a five-kilometre hike.
What makes this centre even more interesting is that it provides its visitors with a modern reception chalet, making it a very pleasant place to visit in any season.
Address: 257 Rue Fernand-Seguin, Châteauguay, QC J6K 0K3
Website: https://cefseguin.com/
Phone: (450) 698-3133
Access pricing: The Fernand-Seguin Ecological Centre is a municipal park of the City of Châteauguay. For this reason, access to the trails is free.
Specific information: Please note that dogs and other domestic animals are not allowed on the trails.
Parc de la Cité
Parc de la Cité is located in the Saint-Hubert borough of Longueuil. It offers about 8 km of hiking trails accessible in all seasons. There is a very modern-looking chalet and a lake frequented by Canada geese.
The place is charming and ideal for bird watching. The site is very well laid out and well maintained. It is very pleasant to go hiking there, no matter the season.
Address: 6201 boul. Davis, Saint-Hubert, QC J3Y 8Y4
Website: https://www.longueuil.quebec/fr/parc-de-la-cite
Phone: (450) 463-7100 ext. 4022
Access pricing: Admission to the site is free
Specific information: Dogs on a leash are allowed
In conclusion, if you enjoy taking walks in a relaxing environment, there are many winter hiking trails on the South Shore that are accessible to everyone. It’s up to you to discover them and have a most enjoyable experience.
*Please note that the information is provided for informational purposes only. We suggest you contact the businesses either by phone or by visiting their website to obtain current information.
* Prices are subject to change without notice. To obtain up-to-date information, you must contact the locations directly.
