Back to School Blues, Be Gone! Five Hikes To Squeeze In Less Than Two Hours Away From The City

Back to school means tearing ourselves away from the freedom of summer and settling back into the daily grind. Sometimes, we feel like we didn’t “do much” with our summer: didn’t get out of the city, didn’t see as much of who we wanted to, didn’t do as many activities as we had hoped. A good way to beat the back to school blues is to squeeze in some last minute outdoor activities. Here, we propose a short list of hikes less than two hours away from the city of Montreal! Try one on for size this Labor Day weekend.

 

Les Sentiers de la Presqu’Île (Lanaudière)

Situated in Le Gardeur, this network of paths is a 30-minute drive away from the city. Here, you’ll find five dog-friendly trails, along with numerous ponds and picnic areas. There is even a garden hose available at the entrance so you can rinse off your dog before heading home. Some cautionary advice: these paths are very dense and some are even swampy; we urge you to bring bring bug spray around this time of the year! There is a small fee to walk the paths, payable to the groundskeeper at the entrance.

 

Réseau de sentier Au Diable Vert (Eastern Townships)

Located in Sutton, Au Diable Vert is a dog friendly hiking network ranging from plateaus to winding trails encrusted in the mountain side. With six different trails, all of varying levels of difficulty, a mountain and a lake, your dog will be stimulated by all the new scents and sceneries and so will you!

 

Parc régional de la Forêt Ouareau (Lanaudière)

Boasting over 100 km of trails, this regional parc is roughly two hours away from Montreal. Meandering through this territory is the mighty Ouareau River. You’ll find on site a range of activities to do, including several hikes of varying levels of intensity and overnight lodgings for the more adventurous souls.

Parc-nature du Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard (City of Montreal)

Around 50 minutes away from the city, here you can enjoy a scenic boardwalk path for bird observation, a stroll through forests of giant trees and a wonderful beach accessible to the public: a stimulation oasis for your dog!

Parc Régional de Val-David-Val-Morin (Laurentides)

The good folks at this regional park appreciate just how great it can be to have your dog accompany you on a hike. For this reason, the park is open to canine friends. We recommend the Dufresne sector for a hike with your pooch.

So, there you have it, five hikes that can help you quickly recharge. Please remember to read up on the different rules and regulations proper to each park before you set off on a mini-adventure.

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