There are so many great places to catch a fantastic sunset view in the Outaouais region because of its flatness and proximity to the Ottawa River. That being said, there is no better place than the Gatineau Park which offers incredible views thanks to the Eardley Escarpment. The Gatineau Park is immense with over 350 km2 of federally protected land and 170 km of hiking trails. With all that space, where should you go to view a great sunset? Here’s my list of 8 places to see the sunset in the Gatineau Park.
1. Lauriault & Waterfall Trail
On this trail, there is a lookout that offers a direct view of the sunset. There is even a bench to sit and relax while you admire the beauty of the sun. This is a 4.5 km loop that starts from the Parking lot P6 (paid parking from June 18th to mid-October (free after 6 p.m.)) at the Mackenzie King Estate. This trail is great for viewing the sunset because it does not take a long time to hike back to your car after the sun has set. It takes between 30 minutes to an hour to reach the lookout. Dogs are permitted on this trail.
2. King Mountain
King Mountain is known for being a great spot for not only sunrises, but also sunsets. From parking lot P7 (free parking), this is a 4.2 km round-trip trail that takes around 2h to complete (take the trail 30, 8, and 37 to reach the Mont King main loop). If you go counterclockwise on the loop around the mountain, the sunset viewpoint will be at the very first lookout point you will reach which faces the Mountains Lake in Hollow Glen.
3. Wolf Trail Lookout
This 8.3 km loop leads you to an amazing viewpoint that looks onto the Ottawa River. The trail is considered moderate in difficulty with 294 m of elevation gain. The Tawadina lookout offers unbelievable views of the sunset. The trail begins at parking lot P13 (paid parking from June 18th to September 6th) (free after 7 p.m.)). It takes between 1h30 to 2h to reach the lookout point if you go clockwise on the trail. Dogs are permitted on this trail.
4. Champlain Lookout
This lookout can be reached by vehicle on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 30 minutes after the sunset (at 9 p.m. usually). This is a great place to relax, bring a bite to eat, and enjoy one of the best views of the sunset in the entire Outaouais region. On other days, this lookout can be reached either by bicycle or on foot by taking the Ridge Road Trail (trail #1) or the Hollow Glen Trail. Dogs are permitted at the lookout and toilets are also present in the parking area.
5. Grandview Loop Trail
Starting from the Eardley-Masham Road, this 6.3 km loop offers a fantastic view of the sunset. Go counterclockwise on the trail and you should reach the best viewpoint after 30 minutes of hiking. This trail considered moderate in difficulty with 183 m of elevation gain. Dogs are not permitted on this trail. Make sure to download a map of the trail on AllTrails before heading out because the return journey can sometimes be confusing.
6. Luskville Falls Trail
The Luskville Falls Trail offers multiple lookout points that will allow you to enjoy the sunset. This 4 km loop is considered moderate to difficult in difficulty with 303 m of elevation gain. On this trail, the best views can be found during the descent when completing the trail counterclockwise. Parking is free and toilets can be found in the parking area. Dogs are not permitted on this trail.
7. Trail 72
Trail 72 of the Gatineau Park is probable the least known trail that probably offers one of the best viewpoints in the park. Looking onto Lake Carman and Lake Brown, you can sit at the lookout and enjoy a beautiful sunset as it sets on the other side of the mountain range. Trail starts at parking lot P17 (free parking). Dogs are permitted on this trail with a leash at all times. The lookout is not indicated on the trail, so you will need to download a map of the trail using AllTrails. This is a 12 km loop, but once you reach the lookout, I recommend walking back on your steps and not completing the loop.
8. Meech Lake (O’Brien Beach)
No hiking involved here! Just need to park your vehicle at the parking lot P11 (paid parking from June 18th to September 6th) (free after 7 p.m.)) and walk a few hundred metres to the beach. You can enjoy a swim and take in the amazing sunset views you will get. You can even take your paddle board out and head onto the water to enjoy the sunset if you would like another vantage point. At this location, you are not permitted to bring your dog along with you. Toilets and changing rooms available at this location.
Hopefully with these 8 locations you can fully appreciate not only the beautify of the Outaouais region, but also of the amazing sunset views they will offer. Make sure to bring a head lamp with because you might need to walk back in the day to your vehicle. Know appropriate bear safety tips and take necessary precautions when on the trails. For more hiking trails, visit my hiking trails locator to find over 60 trails in the entire Outaouais region. Enjoy!
