Fall is the most beautiful season in Quebec. The region is vast, and the colors of the leaves—ranging from yellow to red, from gold to nearly black brown—change depending on the weather, the rain, the wind, and the ground cooling down at night.
The season runs from late September to late October, and here are our favorite hikes for collecting red leaves, breathing in the crisp fall air, and getting your socks wet.
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MONT-ORFORD NATIONAL PARK AND ÉTANG-DES-CERISES
Mont Orford National Park is one of the 26 national parks managed by Sépaq, which makes access to preserved and protected nature—an increasingly rare find—extremely easy.
It’s a national park known for its white-tailed deer, great blue herons, and walks during which you might come across turtles that look like dinosaurs (and which you shouldn’t approach, because theysnap! fasterthan their shadows).
Our favorite hikes start at the Étang-des-Cerises visitor center, head up into the forest, and follow the very charming—and slightly marshy—Lake Stukely.
For the most adventurous hikers, you can hike up to Mont-Chauve—a 4-hour loop offering the best view in the area of the orange-hued mountains of the Eastern Townships.
PRACTICAL INFO
Where? Mont Orford National Park, Étang-aux-Cerises, Chemin du Camping, Orford
How? The trails start at Étang-aux-Cerises, in Mont-Orford National Park (a SEPAC park)
Hike distance?
- Trois-Étangs Loop; 5.5 km loop (2-hour hike), easy, elevation gain 50 m
- Le Pékan; 9.4 km round trip (3 hrs 15 mins), intermediate, 95 m elevation gain <- this is our favorite trail!
How? Daily admission is $10.10 for adults and free for children;online purchase recommended here!
* Dogs are allowed on both of these trails!
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