Shanti Loiselle

Free activities in the parks to make the most of nature this fall

Last updated September 11, 2023
Reading time: 2 min

Hundreds of activities, most of them free, await you in Montréal’s parks. The cooler weather is the perfect time to explore the forest on foot or by bike, picnic with friends or family, or re-energize through contact with nature.

Lovely nature walks you won’t want to miss

Shinrin Yoku meditative walks are back on Sundays in September and October in selected nature parks. 

Walks reserved for people aged 65 and over will be held in September in the Pointe-aux-Prairies and Bois-de-Liesse nature parks. 

Other hikes are scheduled in Parc Mont-Royal and Parc Frédéric-Back. The evening visit to Parc Frédéric-Back is a very special experience.
If you prefer to go at your own pace, maps are available to help you explore theparks’ many walking trails.

Water activities

If you have your own equipment, paddleboarding, kayaking and kitesurfing are great options. You can also watch the talented surfers on Lac des Deux Montagnes from the shores of the Anse-à-l’Orme or Cap-Saint-Jacques nature parks.

On weekends in September, you can rent a rowboat for some romantic moments on Beaver Lake in Parc Mont-Royal. Once there, why not try your hand at Finnish bowling or Spikeball ($).  

With proper gear, surfers can take on the eternal wave, better known as “Vague à Guy”(Guy’s Wave), until mid-October.

The 3 nature park beaches are closed for the season.

Other not-to-be-missed activities

  • Until the end of October, take advantage of Frédéric-Back Park to enjoy your favorite outdoor activities: running, biking, birdwatching, insect watching, stargazing and more. You can even fly your own kite. A great place to have fun.
  • On September 9 and 16, discover Explor’Insectes in Parc Frédéric-Back, an activity offered in collaboration with the Montréal Insectarium.
  • A series of shows featuring birds of prey presented in several nature parks.
  • Lectures, workshops and guided walks in the nature parks on a range of subjects: Birds, fruit and vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, squash, root vegetables) and zero waste.
  • New dates have been added for a guided walk on Île Lapierre, an area of the Ruisseau-De Montigny nature park not yet open to the public.
View the program

Accessibles parks

Guided walks for people with physical limitations are offered on September 23 at Parc-Nature Cap-Saint-Jacques and on October 14 at Parc-nature du Bois-de-L’île-Bizard. 

The nature parks, Parc du Mont-Royal and Parc Frédéric-Back offer dozens of kilometres of flat, wheelchair-accessible trails. More experienced users can borrow all-terrain wheelchairs free of charge for use on trails with slopes.  

To reserve an adapted wheelchair, call 514-280-6778, 24 hours in advance. No reservations needed for Parc du Mont-Royal and Parc Frédéric-Back. First-come, first-served.

Free shuttle service

Until early October, a shuttle service runs from downtown (Berri-UQAM bus station) to three nature parks: 

  • Parc-nature du Bois-de-Liesse: Saturday, September 16 and October 7
  • Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies: September 30 and October 8

 

Please make a reservation with Navette Nature.

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