The Vallée-de-la-Gatineau region of the Outaouais is truly an outdoor adventurer’s paradise! With dozens of amazing hiking trails, some of the most beautiful lakes in the entire Outaouais, beautiful waterfalls, and much more, you can surely spend and awesome time in this corner of the Outaouais. Here’s my short list of the 12 things to do in the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau region of the Outaouais that will allow you to appreciate the natural beauty of this area and have a good time with the family.
1. Mont Morissette Regional Park
This Park offers not only an awesome observation which provides breathtaking 360° views of the Blue Sea Lake area and of a sunrise and sunset, but also over 13 km of hiking trails to explore. While you can hike up to the observation tower (trail #1), you may also drive up to the tower during the warmer seasons. Access to the park is free and washrooms are available in the parking areas and on the trail. Dogs are permitted at this location with a leash at all times.
Location: 104 Chem. du Lac Long, Blue Sea, QC J0X 1C0
2. Lake Edja
Located in Blue Sea (Quebec), at a 20-minute drive from the Mont Morissete Regional Park, Lake Edja is one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire Outaouais. With its turquoise-green water, underwater rock formation, and shallow areas, this is a paradise for paddlers. You must wash your equipment before accessing the lake by stopping at a washing station in Blue Sea (Quebec). For information on this lake and how to get there, read my latest blog post on this location.
Location: Chemin du Lac Edja Ouest, Blue Sea, QC JOX 1C0
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. There is also a public campsite located at the bottom of the mountain.
Location: Chemin du Mont Cayamant, Cayamant, QC J0X 1YO
4. 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. You can also mountain bike on this mountain with multiple trails to explore.
Location: 76 Chem. de la Montagne, Lac-Sainte-Marie, QC J0X 1Z0
5. Stone Bridge Waterfall and Trail
While this is one of the smallest waterfalls in the region, this one is probably the most fun. Why? Because you can swim in it. Over time, a natural bowl has formed where you can sit in it and enjoy the waterfall. Near the waterfall, there is a hiking trail, a cavern you can explore, and the 31 Mile Lake. A great destination for a nice summer day of fun in the sun. There is no entrance fee or parking fee. The waterfall is at an 800m hike from the parking lot. For more information and for a downloadable map of the site, visit PeroOutaouais’ website.
Location: Chemin de la Baie Noire, Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau, Québec
6. Quinn Creek Falls
Situated in the town of Montcerf-Lytton, this waterfall is really beautiful, especially at night when it is lighted up with a bunch of different colours. Thanks to a wooden walkway, you can explore the waterfall close-up from top to bottom. Access to this waterfall is free and it is situated very close to the parking area. There’s also a dozen kilometres of hiking trails nearby that will lead you to the Baskatong Reservoir.
Location: Rte 117, Montcerf-Lytton, Québec
7. Lac Vert
This lake is probably the most beautiful lake in the entire Outaouais region to paddle on and to explore. With majestic turquoise-green water, beautiful underwater rock formations, tranquility, and areas to freedom camping, this lake truly is a piece of paradise in the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau region of the Outaouais. This is not an easy lake to access. For more information on this lake and how to reach it, check out my latest blog post on this destination.
Location: Lac Sainte-Marie, Qc JOX 1Z0
8. Lake Pemichangan
Much bigger in size than Lac Vert and Lake Edja, Lake Pemichangan is a beautiful lake to explore with amazing rock formations and turquoise-green water in many sections of the lake. You can easily spend a full weekend exploring this lake. Like most lakes in the region, information on their access is not always readily available. For more information on this lake and how to get there, check out my latest blog post on this awesome lake.
Location: Gracefield, Qc JOX 1WO
9. Chutes de la Montagne Trail
While this is not the closest trail to get to, it’s probably the most underrated trail in the entire region. I must admit, I was blown away by the beauty of the environment, the views, and the tranquility this place offers. Here, you get it all: mountain views, lake side picnic, waterfalls, and much more. Access to this park is free and open year-round. Its 3 trails each form loops which interconnect to create an 8.1 km long trail which should take 3-4 hours to complete. Picnic tables and toilets are available on the trail. Check out PeroOutaouais’ website for a downloadable map of the trail. Watch the video bellow for more details.
Location: 79 Chemin Lamoureux, Grand-Remous, Qc J0W 1E0
10. Carpe Diem Aventures River Descent & Campground
Carpe Diem Aventures is an ecotouristic business located in the town of Gracefield which offers not only river descents of the Picanoc River (kayak, paddle board, or canoe), but also a campground near the beautiful Lake Edja. For the river descent, enjoy an amazing day in the sun while exploring the beautiful Picanoc River. You can choose between a 5 km and a 10 km journey. More information on this activity is provided in a recent blog post. For their campground, you can stay in some of the most unique travel accommodations in the entire Outaouais thanks to their suspended tents and micro-chalets. Such a great location for a weekend getaway! For more information on their campground and things to do around it, check out my latest travel episode:
11. Chute Rouge
I consider this 22 km trail network as a true hidden gem of the Outaouais region. With a beautiful waterfall and a few lakes, it truly is a hiker’s paradise all year round. The waterfall can be accessed without having to complete a long hike by driving to a nearby parking lot. Dogs are permitted on these trails and access is free. For a complete map of the trails and of the waterfall, check out PeroOutaouais’ website.
Location: Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau, Qc J0X 2X0
12. Village Majopial Trails and Restaurant
This Park offers around 5.6 km of beautiful hiking trails in a tranquil environment. Once there, I recommend you complete the big loop composed of trails ‘du marais’, ‘de la sucrerie’, ‘l’épineuse’, ‘Montée de la tour’, and ‘du cèdre’, which form a 3.1 km loop. During this forest walk, you will be able to walk on a wooded boardwalk, check out a sugar shack, some marshland, and tones of moss. Dogs are always permitted with a leash. Toilets available on the trail. Access is free. Once you are done your hike, why not stop by the Resto L’Huile d’Olive for some delicious food with an awesome view of the 31 Mile Lake. For more information on this trail, visit PeroOutaouais’ website.
