Gatineau Park

Check out the Mackenzie King Estate

drove up to King Mountain yesterday afternoon (oct 1), one of the trails i have not done before. lots of climbing up and down but definitely worth it for the views and all the little discoveries.

i went with another photo buddy and we spent at least 3 hours on the trail! i think this means it would take the average hiker about 1.5 hrs. (cameras always slow us down!)

fall colours are a bit late this year, but there was certainly enough vibrant foliage to make it interesting.

saw lots of chipmunks, red squirrel, a red-tailed hawk soaring on thermals, and at sunset when we got back to the lake at the start of the loop, a family of beavers was swimming out of the lodge!

at the top there’s lots of bedrock and great views of the ottawa valley, best on a clear day (yesterday was hazy). very exposed and windy so dress warm on cool days.

trail is very rough in parts, wear good shoes and take it slow if you’re not an experienced hiker.

i’ll definitely do it again!

We are so lucky living in the greater Ottawa area. Just 10 miles from downtown Ottawa, north across the Ottawa River, lies a very beautiful nature preserve, Gatineau Park, Québec. The park is maintained by the National Capital Commission and is approximately 361 square miles in size. The park has nature trails, scenic lookouts and all kinds of other ways to celebrate nature and our eastern deciduous wood forest.

http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/ncc_web_content_page.asp?cid=16297-16299-10170&lang=1

There is also a ski resort smack dab in the middle of the park, Camp Fortune. Gatineau Park represents a very wonderful part of the all the greenery and nature that surrounds our nation’s capital. Ottawa has so many bike paths, walking trails and things to do outside and Gatineau Park is one of our show pieces.

So nice in the Summer time

Huge park with lakes, lots of trails and lots of road. Watch for cyclists!