10 Places Around Gatineau & Ottawa to See the Fall Colours

The Outaouais region of Quebec is known for being an amazing destination to enjoy the fall colours. With its warmer climate and type of foliage, the falls colours usually last a little longer in the region. Usually, fall colours can be appreciated by the end of September until the end of October. The best time to take in the colours is during the first two weeks of October. With such a vast region, where are the best places to spot the fall colours? Here, I present my list of 10 best places around Gatineau & Ottawa to see the fall colours:

1. Mont Morissette Regional Park

The park’s observation tower offers 360 degrees views of the surround area. The tower can be reached by car or on foot thanks to a 1 km trail. The trail itself is easy to hike and takes around 30 minutes to reach the observation tower. Parking and access to the park is free all year round. Washrooms are available at the tower as well as near the parking area and dogs are permitted at this location. When there, why not explore its 13 km trail network?

Location:  104 Chem. du Lac Long, Blue Sea, QC J0X 1C0

2. Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon

Like Mont Morissette, the Montagnes Noires also offers an awesome observation tower at over 400 feet of elevation. The tower is surrounded by lush forest. The tower can be reached by car or on foot. On foot, I recommend taking the trail #7 (3.4 km loop) which leads you to the tower from the parking lot #2. There is an access fee to the park that must be paid in cash ($8 per adult). Washrooms available at multiple locations and dogs are permitted.

Location: 39 Chem. de la Montagne Noire, Ripon, QC J0V 1V0

3. Mont Cayamant

Sitting on top of the Mont Cayamant is a cool observation tower looking onto the beautiful Lake Cayamant and the surrounding area. While you cannot reach the tower by car, you may hike to it by taking a 1.5 km round-trip trail. This trail is considered moderate in difficulty with over 500 wooden steps that must be climbed to reach the top of the mountain. The trail is well indicated. Toilets are located at the summit and near the parking area. Dogs are permitted. Access to the park is free year-round.

Location: Chemin du Mont Cayamant, Cayamant, QC J0X 1YO

4.  Luskville Falls

This is one of the most popular destinations in the Gatineau Park to enjoy the fall colours. Here, you can hike up the mountain and take in the views thanks to multiple viewpoints. The trail itself is 4 km long. The Eardley Escarpment can be appreciated from some of the lookouts. Dogs are not permitted on this trail. Toilets available in the parking area. Parking and access are free.

Location:  Chem. de l’Hôtel de Ville, Luskville, QC J0X 2G0

5. Pink Lake

The Pink Lake gets its name from the Pink family who settled there in the first half of the 19th century. The lake itself is actually a green-turquoise colour. While this is an absolute beautiful destination all year round, the fall colours really do accentuate the green colour of the lake. The trail itself is a 2.3 km long loop around the lake. When the Gatineau Parkway is closed (only open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.), you can reach the Pink Lake by parking at parking lot P6 and taking trails 15 and 35 (7.2 km). Dogs are not permitted on this trail. Toilets available in the parking area. Access to this trail is free.

Location:  Gatineau Pkwy, Gatineau, Quebec

6. Mont King

The Mont King trail offers some of the best views of the Gatineau Park without having to venture off on a long hike. This trail has multiple lookout points that allow you to enjoy not only views of the Gatineau Park, but also of Gatineau and Ottawa, the Hollow Glen area, etc. When the Gatineau Parkway is closed (only open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.), you can reach the Mont King by parking at parking lot P7 and taking trails 30, 8, and 37 (5.5 km). On this trail, dogs are not permitted. Parking and access are free.

Location: Champlain Pkwy, Chelsea, Quebec J9B 1A3

7. Trail 72 (Gatineau Park)

Trail 72 of the Gatineau Park is not as well known as other trails mentioned in this post, but it offers an incredible viewpoint which looks out onto Lake Carman and the Gatineau Park. Parking is available at parking lot P17 of the Gatineau Park in Wakefield. In regards to the trail, it is 12 km long and dogs are permitted. Parking and access to this trail is free.

Location: Rte Principale E, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, QC J0X 3G0

8. Wolf Trail

The Wolf Trail offers a fantastic lookout point with views onto the Ottawa River Valley. It also has a few viewpoints that look out onto the Gatineau Park. The trail itself is an 8.3 km long loop that is considered moderate in difficulty. Parking is available at parking lot P13 (parking fee during the summer swimming season). Dogs are permitted on this trail during the fall season. Toilets available in the parking area.

Location: 905 Chem. du Lac Meech, Chelsea, QC J9B 1H9

9. Kenauk Nature

Kenauk Nature is one of the largest privately owned nature reserves in North America with over 65 000 acres of land and over 60 lakes. This nature reserve offers a multitude of hiking trails that will allow you to fully appreciate the fall colours without the big crowds of the Gatineau Park. There is an entrance fee of $20 per person. I recommend completing the Baldy Trail which is an 8.5 km loop which has a fire tower you can climb (at your own risk).

Location: 1000 Chem. Kenauk, Montebello, QC J0V 1L0

10. Mont Sainte-Marie

Mont Sainte-Marie is one of the tallest mountains in the Outaouais region. By hiking up an 8.9 km loop, you can take in the beauty of the surrounding region and of the fall colours with its multiple lookout points. The trail itself is considered difficult in difficulty with over 400 m of elevation gain.  Access and parking are free. Parking available in the main parking lot of the Mont Sainte-Marie Ski Resort. Dogs are permitted but must always be kept on a leash. Toilets not available at this location when the resort is closed.

Location: 76 Chem. de la Montagne, Lac-Sainte-Marie, QC J0X 1Z0

These trails should allow you to take in the beauty of the fall season in the National Capital Region of Canada. For more information on these trails and to locate them, I recommend visiting my custom hiking trails locator where you will find a map of all the trails to do in the Outaouais region.