Top 7 things you must do in Gatineau Park

You’ve decided to spend a day in Gatineau Park, Quebec, but you don’t know where to start? Gatineau Park is a 361 square kilometers wedge of land extending north and west from the city of Gatineau. With over 165 kilometers of hiking trails, there is a lot of ground to cover. Here are the top 7 places you must see before you leave.

#7 SugarBush Trail

This trail near Chelsea is perfect during any season and is even more popular as a winter trail. This short trek takes you into the classic Gatineau wilderness. The trail starts right beside the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre and has two areas for parking.

Hike Length: 1.6-km loop

Amount of Time to do: 25 mins.

#6 Pink Lake

Pink Lake is a small meromitic lake in the middle of Gatineau Park with a well maintained walking trail which goes completely around it. The hike around the lake takes 1 hour, and loops at around 2.1 km.The surface of the waters are a deep green (not pink) during the month of August and September due to the abundance of algae in the water.

There is an abandoned mica mine about half way around the left hand side. Take the time to read the signs regarding the special nature of the area.

Hike Length: 2.1-km loop

Amount of Time to do: 1 hour

#5 Champlain Lookout

You don’t need to drive far to have an incredible view. The Champlain Lookout is at the top of the Eardley Escarpment on the Champlain Parkway. The lookout offers one of the best-known and most popular view in Gatineau Park. There is no hiking required to enjoy the view of Aylmer, Gatineau and Ottawa. Just drive up and enjoy.

#4 Mackenzie King Estate

Mackenzie King Estate was the summer home of former Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. Located in the heart of Gatineau Park, the estate is a popular place for hikers. 

Surrounding activities include visiting the restored cottages, strolling through the gardens, eating at at the Mackenzie King Tearoom and exploring the ruins.

#3 Lusk Cave

Lusk Cave is one of those things you should do if you visit gatineau park. This hidden gem is a marble cave which is thousands of years old.

How did it form? There was a large glacier that melted and its water got trapped under it, making cracks in the rocks.

Hike Length: 10-km Out & Back

Amount of Time to do: 2.5 hours

#2 Carbide Wilson Ruins

The Carbide Wilson Ruins is a beautiful gem in Gatineau Park. It’s a sight to see because everything around it, the architecture and the way it collides with nature, just doesn’t make sense but it all works.

The Ruins was once an experimental facility that was built in 1911 by Thomas Willson. He used it to support his chemical fertilizer research and it has since then been abandoned. 

Hike Length: 4.4-km Out & Back

Amount of Time to do: 1.5 hours

#1 King Mountain Trail

King Mountain is the most popular trail in Gatineau Park and appropriately so. The view is breathtaking, and well worth the effort. 

It takes about 1 hour to hike the 2 km loop around that starts from the parking lot and back. The trail has interpretive signs along the way describing local wildlife & plant life; and finishes by giving you an outstanding view of the cities of Ottawa, Gatineau and the Ottawa River flowing for miles.

Hike Length: 2.2-km loop

Amount of Time to do: 1 hour

. . .

Maybe you’d like to learn the Top 10 places to visit in Ottawa for free