Gatineau Park
Parc de la Gatineau
A 361-square-kilometer forest and lake park beside the capital, with hillsides ablaze with autumn foliage and Champlain Lookout overlooking the Ottawa River valley.
The park is about 15 to 20 minutes' drive from downtown, with its entrance in Chelsea, Quebec. Popular activities include driving along Gatineau Park Parkway to Champlain Lookout to see the autumn colors, walking the 2.5 km trail around Pink Lake, swimming and paddling on Philippe Lake and Lac La Pêche in summer, and in winter enjoying 200 km of cross-country ski trails. During peak fall foliage season the parkway is often restricted on weekends, so book parking in advance on the NCC (National Capital Commission) website.
Opening hours
All day (some roads closed in winter)
Nearby sights
- Nordik Spa-Nature
- Mackenzie King Estate
- Canadian Museum of History
- Canadian War Museum
- Rideau Falls
- Kìwekì Point
- Royal Canadian Mint
- Supreme Court of Canada Building