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One of Montreal's beautiful nature parks, the park is located at the northwestern tip of the island in Pierrefonds/Senneville. The park is situated on a peninsula that juts out into the waters of the Lake of Two Mountains and the Riviere des Prairies. Three quarters of the park is bordered by water. You'll find a variety of programs and facilities here, including the ecological farm, where you can purchase organic produce and observe the activities of a working farm. There is also a cabane a sucre (sugar shack), where you can watch the collection and reduction of the sap if you visit in season, during March and April. In addition, you'll find two interesting historic buildings in the park, the Chateau Gohier (circa 1916) and the Maison Brunet (circa 1835). The key outdoor activities are canoeing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, cross country skiing and nature observation. One of the parks most popular attractions is the beach, which over flows with sun bathers and swimmers during the hotter months. |
Hiking The park has 26km of hiking trails. The trails are suitable for novices, having no real climbs along their route. You'll pass through mixed forest and fields, as well as swampy areas in the centre of the park. In the winter there are 5.5km of trails open to snow hikers. Dogs are permitted on a leash, along 5.5km of the trail system. Inquire with the park for details.
This is an excellent park for cycling, the trails are wide and have hard packed surfaces (hybrids are recommended) making for easy peddling. There are 7km of the overall trail system open to cyclists.
The park has 32km of trails, with loops through out the park and a number of interconnections, so you don't have to retrace you tracks. The trails are suitable for novices and beyond.
You can launch a canoe or kayak from beside the beach or the boat launch beside the park's office. There are a number of bays, particularly on the parks west side (beach launch) to offer some protection (but not from those west winds) and provide a little more interest. When the wind is up a sea kayak will serve you far better than an canoe.
The park is good area for nature observation, with many nesting bird species. The park has a pamphlet, which lists the parks birds, pick one up at the office. The shoreline and the swamp areas are your best bets for spotting a variety of our avian friends. Muskrats are often seen on the parks shorelines and keep a look out for the long nose gar, along with a variety of turtles. |
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Access From the Trans Canada west, take the Ste-Marie exit west of St-Charles and head west to the tiny mall, where you head north (turn right) on L'Anse-a-L'Orme. At the "T" intersection at the end, head east (turn right) and continue for a short distance to the park's main entrance. Cap-Saint-Jacques
Nature Park |
STCUM - Montreal's Urban Transit
Other Parks
- Bois-de-l'lle-Bizard - Nature Park
- Bois-de-Liesse - Nature Park
- Ile de Boucherville Park - Provincial Park
- Parc
Jean Drapeau - Urban Park
