Montreal is an electric city surrounded by many incredible outdoor places where you can breathe pure air! Because we know that you don’t always have time for a super long drive, here’s our list of the 18 spots you have to discover before summer ends!
1. Mont St-Grégoire
Mont St-Grégoire is a 45 minute drive from the city. You can hike, bike or try Arbraska, an hebertism experience up in the trees! You can also fish, if you’re more of an “outdoor and chill” type of person.
2. Mont-Royal
Mont-Royal is renowned for its wonderful view of the city, BUT It’s also the perfect place to get in shape while being downtown. Challenge yourself to a mountain bike ride, or a run up the mountain…
3. Mont-St-Hilaire
Now here is a nice hike to do with friends or family. You can do the 25km hike and end up with a well-deserved picnic right next to the Hertel Lake.
4. Jarry Park
This park is sooo huge! You can play Tennis, Beach Volley, Frisbee, you can rollerblade, skate or swim, and there’s also an outdoor gym! Check it out!
5. Mont St-Bruno
Mont St-Bruno is definitely not the highest mountain near the city but its National Park is without hesitation, one of the most beautiful place less than 30 minutes away from Montreal. It’s basically a runner’s paradise.
6. Laurier Park
Let’s be honest here, Laurier Park is more of a “very chill” type of outdoor. Bring a frisbee, a soccer ball and roll with a bunch of friends. There’s also a baseball court and ping pong tables, in case you like to ball without sweating too much.
7. Bromont
Bromont is a renowned skiing destination, but you can also have some serious biking fun during summer. Head over to to Le Centre national de cyclisme de Bromont where you can mountain bike, road bike or do some BMX.
8. Lachine Canal
Lachine Canal is your go-to spot in Montreal if you like biking or running. A thing people don’t know is that you can rent a kayak, a pedalo or an electric boat! (for the “lazy outdoor” out of us)
9. Parc des Îles de Boucherville
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Boucherville is : suburbs. Nothing really exciting you’d say. Wrong! The Parc national des Îles de Boucherville is the perfect place to push yourself. There’s an 8km marked water trail that takes 3 hours to complete, but you can for sure make it in 2h30 😉
10. Maisonneuve Park
Head over to the East Side of town to discover this park you can basically get lost in. If you golf, there’s a 9 holes, if not, watch out if you hear “foreeee”!
11. Lasalle
Real outdoor lovers live there. Why? Lasalle is only a 30 minute drive from downtown that feels like a safe haven where you can bike, water ski, kayak or any other sports you can think of. It’s worth the drive!
12. Île-Ste-Hélène
On Île Sainte-Hélène, there’s Parc Jean Drapeau. You’ll find a huge Olympic Bassin where you can do everything with something that look like a kayak. You can bike, rollerblade, or if you’re feeling “extreme”, you can go to the beach and try wakeboarding by teletraction!
13. La Fontaine park
If you’d like to run in nature, but you’re in the city and have no time for a long drive, La Fontaine Park if perfect for you. It’s full of trees, there’s a lake, and after 4 or 5 laps, you’ll might wanna rest and picnic with everyone else!
14. Rivière des Milles-Îles
Wanna see the wetlands from another perspective? You can paddle on the river for hours and discover the beauty of a completely different landscape. If you want to push the experience to an “epic level”, there’s a 155km water trail, starting from l’Outaouais to Lanaudière.
15. Parc d’Oka
If you’re really pumped and ready to drive 50 minutes to get to a natural heaven, go straight to Parc national d’Oka! You can literally practice any outdoor sports: Kayak, Dinghy, SUP, pedalo, sail, bike and hike. If you’re with friends, why not rent a shack for a night!
16. Promenade Bellerive
Promenade Bellerive is a good spot for bike riders who are tired of their usual rides. Feeling a bit wild? Try the outdoor zumba! You have until August 25th to get yourself up there, and it’s free. Ps. no one will judge you!
17. Baldwin Park
The smallest, but also the cutest. There’s a nice public pool (not as crowded as Laurier’s), tennis courts and the outdoor yoga is a local’s rendez-vous!
18. Bois de Belle-Rivière
If you want to experience old school outdoor, go to Le Bois de Belle-Rivière and try horseback riding. If you are more conservative, try some trails ;).