A Beginner's Guide to Hiking in Gatineau Park

Carbide Ruins

So, you want to take advantage of the wonderful green space, gorgeous hiking trails and fresh out-doorsy-ness of Gatineau Park.  But - you don't know where to begin. Sure, you love being outdoors, the park is not really far from the city (of Ottawa), and hiking seems like a great way to be active and healthy at any age.

Hiking can be as intense or as leisurely as you like it.

First of all, know that Gatineau Park is quite big, but certainly not as large or as wild as some larger national parks (like Algonquin park, for example). and is great for all levels of outdoor seekers.

Next, know that YES, YOU CAN GET LOST in the park. It's happened before, especially in winter when eager-beaver snow-shoers or skiiers decide to wander off the trails. So, the moral of this story is: don't go off the marked trails.


Ok, enough blah-blah-blah, right?

Get started hiking in the Park. 

1. Go to the Visitor Centre in Chelsea, at 33 Scott Road, and purchase (yes, purchase) a summer trail map. Later, when you get more experienced, or if you decide to ski in winter, you'll want a winter trail map. And why pay for the map? Don't they have free maps? Yep, there is a free map, but it is NOT a trail map, and will not really help you on the trails at all.

2. Be prepared. Make sure you have:

• your map
• good hiking shoes or boots (not sandals!)
• water. And more water. There are no fountains or stores, and you'll want to stay hydrated to fully enjoy your outing
• appropriate clothing for the weather
• bug spray and sun screen. Trust me, Deep Woods Off or something like it will be required to keep the starving mosquitoes at bay
• bear spray if you want - there ARE black bears in the park, I've seen them more than a few times. They tend to run away, and are not looking for a fight, but still, exercise caution

3. Next, plan your first hike. Choose a gentler trail, of shorter duration, and one that is popular so you will not be totally alone for long - this will help you not get lost, will ensure help is available if you sprain an ankle, and will also ensure that bears won't be a problem.

4. Some good first trails are: (click the title link to see my original posts and maps)

P7 to Keogan
Park at  P7 (on Kingsmere Rd) and hike trail #33 & #1 up to Keogan. Keogan is a cabin. There is one little scenic lookout along the way. And there are clear signs - follow the sign to Keogan, then on return, follow the sign for P Kingsmere. This is about 8 km.


P10 to Carbide Ruins
Park at P10 (from Ch. de lac Meech/ Ch. Dunlop), near Camp Fortune. Walk up the Fortune Parkway about 1km or so, then go right on trail #36. Stay on #36 to the O'Brien parking lot. You have the
option here of going to O'Brien Beach, or continuing on #36 to the Carbide Ruins. This is only about 6 km.

Chemin de La Mine to Pink Lake
Park at on Rue Quartz, just off of Chemin de la Mine in Hull. Cross the road, and walk on the bicycle path (#5) for about 1.5 km or so. Then go right, onto trail #15. Follow #15 to #35 following signs for Pink Lake. You can walk around the lake if you like, which would add 2 km to your route.  Be very careful to pay attention to your trails and your turns so you don't go off course especially upon return. This is about 10 km without the lake loop.

As you get to know the park and the trails, as you meet more people, you will learn more trails and test yourself.

If you want to get into a hiking group, there is a great, very active Meetup Group (of which yours truly is a hike leader) called the Ottawa-Gatineau Adventurers.

Happy Hiking!