If you need some inspiration for things to do near Ottawa, look no further! The National Capital Region is also known as the Ottawa-Gatineau Metropolitan Area. Gatineau Park in Quebec, Canada is a wonderful day trip from Ottawa, across the provincial border. Just across the Ottawa River in the Outaouais region, and about a 15 minute drive from the Byward Market to the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, Gatineau Park is a fantastic year-round outdoor recreational destination. You’ll find a variety of trails, from easy walks to difficult hikes with beautiful lookouts and great picnic areas. The trails are free to visit in the summer, or for a daily/season price in the winter (to pay for maintenance of the trails). Read on for more inspiration to visit Gatineau Park and stop in beautiful Chelsea.
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Why Visit Gatineau Park?
Located only about a 15-minute drive from Ottawa’s ByWard Market to the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre in Chelsea, this natural gem offers:
- Scenic Trails: From easy walks to challenging hikes with stunning views.
- Year-Round Activities: Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, paddleboarding, swimming, Fall Rhapsody, and more.
- Family-Friendly Options: Picnic areas and serene lookouts.
- Accessibility: Trails are free in summer, with affordable passes in winter to support trail maintenance.
Chelsea Day Trip: Top Spots to Explore
The quaint town of Chelsea, just outside Gatineau Park, has blossomed over the years into a charming destination of it’s own. The Gatineau Park Visitor Centre is in Chelsea, so it’s a great stop before or after a hike. Some of the ways to fill your day in this charming town include:
- Pub Chelsea: a charming pub with fantastic food and local craft beer. I’ve never had food there that I didn’t love!
- Biscotti & Cie: the most aesthetic café. Enjoy wood-fired pizza, lattes and sandwiches! Make sure to check out the loft upstairs for the coziest vibes.
- la Cigale: sells amazing, freshly made ice cream in all varieties of flavours and decadence. It’s a perfect stop to cool down after a hot summer hike.
- L’Oree du Bois: a delicious authentic French cuisine restaurant. A perfect spot for a foodie!
- Le Nordik: a wonderful world-class spa. Visit the hot pools, cold pools, infinity pool, saltwater pool, saunas, a restaurant on site, and more! Perfect for a luxurious self-care day.
- Play a round of mini golf at Dunn D’s Mini Golf! I hadn’t been mini golfing in ages and I forgot what a blast it was!
- Pop into the new Distillerie du Square. They have a variety of delicious spirits and a beautiful cocktail bar above the distillery. Make sure to also check out the small museum in the cocktail bar for a history of the area, and the role women have played in the area!
- Stay at the Lofts du Village to treat yourself to an overnight staycation. They have a modern aesthetic, with a perfect home away from home feel.
How to Find Trails in Gatineau Park
Start your adventure at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre located at 33 Scott Road, Chelsea, QC (open daily). The friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you on trail options, parking, and trail maps. In winter, you can also rent snowshoes or cross-country skis here.
For detailed trail maps and updates on trail conditions, check out the National Capital Commission’s website or browse through the Girl Gone Good Hiking Guide for expert reviews and trail reports in Gatineau Park and beyond.
How to get to Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park is easily accessible by car, bike, or even by taking the free Fall Rhapsody Shuttle from downtown Ottawa during the fall. Once you arrive, you’ll find both free and paid parking lots—parking is free during winter months.
Gatineau Park Summer Activities
Summer in Gatineau Park offers a plethora of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lake kayaking and canoeing ($) to cycling and mountain biking, there’s something for everyone. Popular activities include:
- Hiking: With trails ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes
- Kayaking & Canoeing: Head to one of the beaches that rents kayaks, canoes, or standup paddleboards!
- Horseback Riding: head out on an equestrian trail in the summer
- Swimming: Cool off in the park’s refreshing lakes
- Camping & Geocaching
- Stunning Lookouts for breathtaking views
Make sure to check out the official website for more information on the full list of summer activities!
Gatineau Park Winter Activities
There’s another list of activities such as hiking, snowshoeing ($), cross-country skiing ($), snow biking ($) and skating to do during the winter. You can rent snowshoes and cross country skis at the Visitor Centre; however, you can purchase a pair of snowshoes for about $100-$150, which is the equivalent of renting a pair of snowshoes for the day 5 times ever. I’ve owned my snowshoes for a few years now so it’s a worthy investment if you plan to go a few times! Cross country skis are a bit more of an investment so I do recommend testing out whether you like cross country skiing by renting the equipment first.
Read more: Your Ultimate Guide: Ottawa and Gatineau Snowshoeing Trails
Hiking/Snowshoeing Trails
Carbide Willson Ruins Hike: A short in-out 3 km hike from Meech Lake to impressive ruins of an industrial plant. The parking lot is a paid lot and it’s one of the busiest trails in Gatineau Park. This would be an easy to intermediate hike, with a large hill at the very beginning. It is closed in the winter.
Lac Philippe Trail 74: From P19, follow the trail from #73 and 74 for either hiking in the spring/summer/fall or snowshoeing during the winter (day passes available at the trail head). This is an intermediate hike, with a number of hills and approximately 8 km total. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Ottawa so it’s typically a less busy trail than those closer to the city. It is a year round trail.
Lusk Cave Trail: Starting at the Lac Phillipe trail, a total 10 km hike takes you to the Lusk Caves. Bring an extra pair of shoes and a headlight to go through the caves!
Lauriault Waterfall Trail (and Mackenzie King Estate): A beginner hike through forest, a lookout to the Lauriault Falls, a picnic area and a short detour will take you to the Mackenzie King Estate and Ruins (William Lyon Mackenzie King was Canada’s 10th Prime Minister). It is an easy hike but about 4.5 km total in length. Mackenzie King Estate has a tea room and museum that is definitely worth the stop. It is a year round trail.
Luskville Falls Trail: Not to be mistaken with the Luskville Caves trail, this is a 4.5 km difficult hike and picnic area. A 290-metre climb up the Eardley Escarpment with a stunning view of the Ottawa Valley. Along the trail learn about plants and trees on the Escarpment. Open in the spring/summer/fall.
Wolf Trail: my favourite trail in Gatineau Park is the Wolf Trail. It’s a difficult hike with a rewarding scenic view of the Gatineau and beyond. Open year round with free (but limited) parking. It is just past Meech Lake, which is a fantastic place to watch sunrise.
King Mountain: A hilly difficult hike, King Mountain has a wonderful lookout. Dogs are not permitted. It is open in the spring/summer fall but the parkway is closed to vehicles in the winter when it becomes a cross country ski trail.
Wakefield Trail: There are a few loops you can do. I snowshoed trail 70 and 71 for 12.5 km. A long, difficult hike though forest with lots of steep hills. If you’re looking for a workout, this trail is great!
Pink Lake: One of the most popular trails in Gatineau Park is Pink Lake. An intermediate 2.3 km loop (1 hour hike) with a few lookouts, it’s one of the most impressive hikes to visit during the fall!
3 replies on “Gatineau Park and Chelsea: A Quick Fun Day Trip from Ottawa”
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Phenomenal list
Thank you! It’s such a great spot to visit!!