With endless mountains, vast national parks, and scenic reserves surrounding Montreal, there is an abundance of hiking opportunities within driving distance from the city.
However, if you’re just in town for a short period or are without transport, don’t worry. You can explore several lovely hiking trails close to the city center instead.
So, to bring some more nature into your Montreal city break, check out the six best places to go hiking in Montreal for all levels.
Mount Royal Park
- Distance: 5.2 miles (8.4 km)
- Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours
Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal) is the most central green space with hiking trails in Montreal and one of the best spots for an afternoon walk. Here, you can make a loop of the park, which will take you around 2 hours.
Although this park is mountainous terrain, there is only a 214-meter elevation gain on the trail as the park itself sits high above sea level. Therefore, it makes for one of the best easy hikes in Montreal, giving incredible city vistas without too much effort.
You’ll pass several lookouts that give different yet equally beautiful views of the city. You can also follow several short off-trails from the main loop, leading to other landmarks.
Some sights you’ll come across are Beaver Lake, Mount Royal Cross, and Mount Royal Observatory.
Morgan Arboretum
- Distance: 2.8 mile (4.5 km)
- Duration: 20 – 30 minutes
Morgan Arboretum, 37km west of the city center, is full of tranquil forested terrain and a peaceful ambiance. The 4.5 km Arboretum Morgan Yellow Trail loops through the protected semi-wild reserve, passing the Bellevue Observatory.
The forested park is also home to Senneville Migratory Bird Sanctuary, so expect to see various bird species here. The walk is entirely flat and gentle. If you prefer shorter hikes in Montreal, you can opt for the 1-mile red trail instead, which still passes by the observatory.
Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park
- Distance: 3.5 miles (5.6 km)
- Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
You’ll find Montreal’s largest city park, Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park, slightly north of Morgan Arboretum. The picturesque Rivière des Prairies surrounds this park, and the trails here offer lovely river views.
There is around 12 km of hiking terrain here, but the most popular trail is the 5.6 km loop that covers the right and central parts of the park. About half of the route follows the riverside, whereas the other half takes you through the forest.
You’ll find the trailhead in the south east corner of the park along Boul Gouin. If you want to extend your walk further, follow the off-trail in the northwest corner to Château Gohier and the nearby small cove.
Among the 330 hectares, you’ll also find an organic farm, a sugar shack, and two heated chalets. Aside from hiking, Cap-Saint-Jacques is a popular spot for cycling in the summer and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Pointe Ouest, St Bernard Island
- Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4 km)
- Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
St Bernard Island (Île Saint-Bernard) is a small, picturesque island less than 30 minutes south of Montreal’s city center. You’ll find it by heading west from downtown, crossing Honoré Mercier Bridge, and passing Kahnawake and Wigan Beach.
Although there are a few short trails here, the best hike is the 7.4 km Pointe Ouest route that loops around the entire island, following the waterfront. The course is flat, making it a gentle nature walk that you can complete in around 90 minutes.
Much of the trail follows a boardwalk through forested terrain. Still, there are several openings where you’ll get excellent views of the city center across the St Lawrence River.
You’ll also see tons of wildlife, from deer to raccoons to squirrels and many bird species. You’ll find the trailhead on Chem. Vinet by the small museum.
Îles-de-Boucherville national park
- Distance: 16.5 miles (26.6 km) (shorter trails available)
- Duration: 4 – 5 hours
Îles-de-Boucherville national park is about the same distance from Montreal city center as St Bernard Island. However, to reach it, you’ll head east and cross Jacques Cartier Bridge into Longueuil.
The national park is located in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, and consists of 5 small islands.
The national park is extremely peaceful and an excellent place to watch the sunset over the river. There are many short trails to choose from, but if you’re looking for day hikes in Montreal, you can do the 26.6 km loop trail around the islands, starting from Charron Island.
Although this long trail is flat and not strenuous, it will take you between 4 and 5 hours, so go prepared with plenty of water and snacks. As the majority of the trail hugs the waterfront, you’ll enjoy untouched nature on one side and gorgeous scenic views on the other.
Lachine Canal
- Distance: 8.4 miles (13.5 km)
- Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Although it’s not a specific trail, the Lachine Canal is still one of the best places to go hiking in Montreal city center.
The iconic canal stretches for 13.5 km from the Old Port to René Lévesque Park in Lake Saint-Louis, and you can follow it from start to end via the path. At René Lévesque Park, the route unfolds as a trail through the park to the Arboretum.
Of course, you can walk just a section of this route if you are traveling by car and don’t want to catch transport back to your starting point. The Canal pathway is beautiful all year round. Still, it is exceptionally stunning in the fall as the trees change color and the leaves fall.
This is also one of the best hikes in Montreal for sightseeing. It passes by historic buildings like the old trading center and Leber-LeMoyne House, the oldest building in the city, and the well-known Atwater Market.
Final Thoughts On Hiking In Montreal
While Quebec is full of world-class nature destinations, Montreal has its fair share of scenic parks and hiking trails.
So if you don’t have time to explore the surrounding areas like Mont-Tremblant Park, fear not. You can still connect to mother nature right in the city with these six easy hikes in Montreal.
If you prefer to hike outside Montreal, make sure to read our list of the best hikes near Montreal too.
