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10 hiking hot spots to explore with your dog this fall
Published October 2, 2023.
Mondou Team
Pet well-being specialist
This fall, taking your dog for a walk will be nothing ordinary. But be careful: some of these trails are so beautiful, they may literally take your breath away! Here are some of the most beautiful destinations for hiking with your dog.
Bas-Saint-Laurent
Sentier Le Littoral
Just outside Rimouski’s downtown area, you can enjoy 27km of trails that line the river. Access to the trails is free of charge and you can bring your dog along with you — just make sure they’re on a leash! The pedestrian train Le Littoral follows the river, and the salt marsh which continues all the way up to Rocher-Blanc is dotted with interpretive panels.
- More infos : Sentier Le Littoral
- Length : 27 km
- Difficulty : easy
- Price : free
- Main access : rue des Berges, Rimouski
Eastern Townships
Parc d'environnement naturel de Sutton
This network of walking trails surrounding the ski hill is definitely worth checking out! Depending on your fitness level, you may want to try the Spruce lake trail which features a platform for a picnic!
- More infos : Parc d'environnement naturel de Sutton
- Length : Boucle du Vieux Chemin : 3,8 km | Boucle des lacs : 5 km | Mud Pound Loop : 4,5 km | Spruce lake and Mohawk lake : 12,3 km
- Difficulty : Boucle du Vieux Chemin : easy | Boucle des lacs : medium | Mud Pound Loop : medium | Spruce lake and Mohawk lake : hard
- Price : $8, with the possibility of an annual membership for free access to the trails
- Main access : rue des Berges, Rimouski
Charlevoix
Parc municipal de la Baie-des-Rochers
Located in Saint-Siméon, the l’Anse de sable trails also offers a number of lookout points over the river. They’re the perfect spot for checking out the waves and marine mammals amidst abundant nature.
- More infos : Parc municipal de la Baie-des-Rochers
- Length : 4 km
- Difficulty : easy
- Price : free
- Main access : From Saint-Siméon, follow the route 138 east, on 16 km. At Baie-des-Rochers, turn right on rue de la Chapelle and drive on 2,5 km, to the quay.
Chaudière-Appalaches
Parc des Appalaches
The Parc des Appalaches is without a doubt the biggest dog park your pup will ever see. Not only are dogs accepted here, they’re welcome to roam absolutely anywhere! You’ll have no trouble finding a place to patter around with 140km of walking trails, and there’ll be no shortage of spots from which to admire the beauty of the area!
- More infos : Parc des Appalaches
- Length : 140 km of trails
- Difficulty : varies according to the rails
- Price : $7 or free for local residents
- Main access : several access points, but the main entrance is at 105 rue Principale, Sainte-Lucie-de-Beauregard
Gaspésie
Forillon National Park
This magnificent park offers a glorious combination of ocean vistas, staggering cliffs and majestic mountains for you and your dog to discover by foot. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to admire the wildlife of the region, and you may even spot a whale or seal coasting along the shoreline!
- More infos : Forillon National Park
- Length : 11 trails
- Difficulty : varies according to the rails
- Price : $6.25 until October 9th
- Main access : Take Highway 132 East to Forillon National Park. Forillon National Park is 400 km from Rimouski, 700 km from Québec, and 350 km from the New Brunswick border.
Laval
Bois de l'Équerre
Located steps from the frantic pace of the city, this oasis of calm and lush vegetation is the perfect spot for you and your dog. Enjoy the freedom of 225 hectares of luscious flora and stunning fauna!
- More infos : Bois de l'Équerre
- Length : 12.95 km of hiking trails
- Difficulty : easy
- Price : free
- Main access : 49 rang de l'Équerre, Laval
Mauricie
Parc récréoforestier de Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc
As you and your dog continue along your hiking journey, the stunning theater is just one of the many incredible things you will discover. Located in the middle of the forest, this natural auditorium made entirely of stone blends perfectly with its picturesque surroundings.
- More infos : Parc récréoforestier de Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc
- Length : Sentier de la Chute du Diable : 10,5 km | Sentier d'interprétation : 5,5 km | La Paroi : 3,4 km
- Difficulty : Sentier de la Chute du Diable : medium | Sentier d'interprétation : medium | La Paroi : advanced
- Price : free
- Main access : 2001, chemin St-François, Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc
Montreal
Mount Royal Park
For a walking trail with stunning views of the city, look no further than the Mount Royal Park trail. Be sure to check out the Promenade Fleuve-Montagne, a 3.8 km pedestrian circuit linking the mountain to the river, taking you on a tour of some of Montreal's most emblematic landmarks.
- More infos : Mount Royal Park
- Length : Sentier de l'escarpement : 0,8 km | Chemin Olmsted jusqu'au Chalet : 4,6 km | Boucle du sommet vers la croix : 2,2 km | Le Serpentin et le Grand Escalier : 1,4 km
- Difficulty : easy
- Price : free
- Main access : From the east, via Camillien-Houde Road. From the west, by chemin Remembrance
Outaouais
Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park offers over 183 km of trails. Many of these trails are dog-friendly, depending on the time of year (the 3 mentioned below are dog-friendly year-round). Very popular in autumn, we recommend visiting during the week.
- More infos : Gatineau Park
- Length : Sugarbush Trail : 1,9 km | Lauriault Trail : 4,5 km | Pioneers Trail : 1,3 km
- Difficulty : Sugarbush Trail : easy | Lauriault Trail : medium | Pioneers Trail : easy
- Price : free
- Main access : several starting points depending on the trail
Québec
Parc naturel régional de Portneuf
Fan of wide-open spaces? You don’t want to miss out on the 70km of forest trails in this park! Be sure to check out the Trou du Diable (Devil’s Hole), known to be the second-longest accessible grotto in Quebec! Dogs are permitted throughout the park.
- More infos : Parc naturel régional de Portneuf
- Length : several small trails along the gorge: 2.5 km | Ti-Mé trail: 9 km
- Difficulty : easy | Ti-Mé trail: meidum
- Price : $9.13/car parking fee
- Main access : only the Sainte-Anne River Gorge sector is accessible year-round. This is also where the main reception building is located: 423, rue Principale, Saint-Alban.
Whether you are going for a great hike or just for a walk with your dog, make sure you are well equipped. For example, bring a water dispenser for keeping your dog hydrated, a pouch to carry treats to reward them for their efforts or a hand-free waist belt to facilitate your walk with them. When you’re ready, have a good hiking trip!
