Best time to visit Montreal

Winter Forest Treks in Montreal

A great winter activity for nature lovers

Best time: January–February

Winter Forest Treks
Winter Forest Treks
Winter Forest Treks
Winter Forest Treks

Montréal is a great place for winter outdoor activities that take place on foot, snowshoes, or cross country skis. Montréal forest treks are a unique experience—a guided evening tour through the city's parks providing plenty of great views, knowledge about local nature as well as some outdoor romance. It's a good activity for families, couples or solo nature fans who get bored of being indoors during the long Canadian winters. If you prefer to not be accompanied by a guide, you can choose to complete this hike by yourself as the chances of getting lost in Montréal urban parks are not that high.

Forest tours start in the evening with the route winding through virgin snow and semi-secret paths selected by a naturalist who shares information on surrounding flora and fauna. Some treks end with après-ski live music, roasting marshmallows over a bonfire, and hot beverages.

One of the most popular evening treks takes place in Mount Royal Park. It provides some of the best views of Montréal from Mount Royal and snowshoes are the preferred way to get to the top!

Parc Jean-Drapeau is located on two picturesque islands and can be traversed by snowshoes. Bois de l'Île Bizard is a mysterious and gorgeous forest that provides a great setting for a snowshoe hike. Bois-de-Liesse is great for cross-country skiers or snowshoers and is known as the home of red foxes. Cap St. Jacques is Montréal's largest park with the most extensive cross-country ski tracks in the city stretching 32km.

Most of the evening tours run in January and February but sometimes extend to early March. Be sure to check the dates in advance, book your tour, and dress warm to experience the magic of Montréal winter parks.

Practical info

What are some great winter forest trek parks in Montreal?

Numerous parks in Montreal offer fantastic opportunities for winter forest treks. Mount Royal Park is popular among visitors, while Parc Jean-Drapeau can be snowshoed across. Bois de l'Île Bizard is excellent for trekking, and Bois-de-Liesse is known for its red fox populations. Cap St. Jacques is the most extensive park and has the city's most extensive skiing tracks. Show more

Are the forest treks in Montreal guided or self-guided?

The forest treks can be completed with a naturalist guide or individually. Guided tours are ideal for people interested in learning about the local flora and fauna. Self-guided treks are great for the more independent traveler. The trails within Montreal's parks are well-marked and relatively safe to navigate alone. Tours typically commence after sunset and run between January and early March. Show more

What kind of animals can be observed during the winter forest treks?

Wildlife present in the parks varies, but animals such as foxes, rabbits, and birds may be encountered during winter forest treks. Mount Royal Park is home to several uncommon bird species like the Northern Saw-whet Owl. Bois-de-Liesse is a habitat for red foxes. A naturalist guide can provide additional details about the parks' flora and fauna. Feeding animals should always be avoided when trekking without a guide to maintain ecological balance. Show more

Can cross-country skiing be done in all the forest trek routes in Montreal?

Cross-country skiing may not be feasible in all of the forest trek routes. Cap St. Jacques is Montreal's most significant park, providing 32km of skiing tracks. While Bois-de-Liesse and Mont Royal are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing may pose difficulties following the terrain. Parc Jean-Drapeau may be snowshoed across, but the trees can make the route difficult for skiers. Skiing and snowshoeing are not feasible at Bois de l'Île Bizard. Show more

Are music and bonfires included in the forest trek tours?

Evening tours sometimes include live music, bonfires, and warm drinks as part of après-ski activities. Not all of the guided tours have these amenities on their itineraries, though. Some tours only offer naturalist-guided tours and the opportunity to explore parks after dark. When booking a trek, make sure to confirm the inclusion of après-ski musical entertainment and bonfires in your travel itinerary. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin