Meech Creek Valley is nestled between the charming villages of Chelsea and Wakefield, in Gatineau Park. With its bucolic landscapes and trails leadings to stunning vistas, Meech Creek Valley is the perfect place to recharge in nature.
The landscape has slowly evolved over many decades, but a visit to Meech Creek Valley still feels like a trip to another time and place. You can discover more about the communities that once lived in the valley through interpretive panels, remains of old buildings and the only cemetery within the park’s boundaries.
Here is our recommended itinerary to discover the hidden gem that is Meech Creek Valley.
Itinerary for a day in Meech Creek Valley
Your day starts at P16. This large parking lot is easily accessible by car, but we recommend taking the free Philippe Lake shuttle. The shuttle is available Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays until October 27, 2024, with stops in Hull, Chelsea and Wakefield.
Stop 1: Cross Loop Road interpretation panels
Walk or bike along Cross Loop Road, a 2.8-km stretch of mostly flat gravel road. You’ll find several interpretation panels presenting information about the people who once lived and farmed this land. Unlike other sectors of the park with rocky soil, the fertile land here supported successful agriculture.
As you look out over the rolling hills, try to picture a patchwork of farmers’ fields. You’ll see the foundations of old buildings and the remains of a silo.
Why only foundations? In 1975, the Société d’aménagement de l’Outaouais expropriated most of the land in Meech Creek Valley for a zoo that was never built. Over the years, most of the buildings were destroyed or removed. In the early 1990s, the NCC acquired Meech Creek Valley and added it to Gatineau Park for conservation and recreation.
To this day, we protect the cultural heritage of this landscape by haying the field to maintain its open, pastoral character. We manage haying carefully to avoid impacting nesting birds and protected species. Listen closely and you will be treated to the songs of the many birds who call the Meech Creek Valley home.
Stop 2: Meech Creek covered bridge
At about 1.6 km in, you will find Meech Creek Valley’s iconic covered bridge — a historical landmark and the logo of the Municipality of Chelsea.
This bridge was built in 1932 as a Depression-era public works project. Imagine, this bridge was fully built and painted in just over two weeks! It’s a perfect spot for photos and a reminder of the community’s resilience during tough times.
Stop 3: Baldwin Cemetery
About 450 m after the bridge, you will see a path on your right. It leads to the Baldwin Cemetery, a small family burial plot that has been used by the Baldwins and their descendants since the 1860s. It offers a glimpse into the lives and hardships of the valley’s inhabitants. It is the only cemetery within the park boundaries.
Stop 4: The last of the interpretation panels
Head back onto Cross Loop Road and keep going about 550 m. You’ll find interpretation panels about the Healey House (now the Healey Shelter, see below) and former homes for children and seniors.
Once you’ve completed your walk through history, turn around to head back to P16. You can also extend your outing by biking, hiking or running (spring, summer and fall only) to Healey Shelter.
Stop 5: Healey Shelter
The entrance of the trail to Healey Shelter (Trail 70) is located beside panel 7. About 3.6 km in, you’ll see the Healey Shelter, an example of an early settler home that was extensively restored by the NCC.
Irish immigrants Edward and Bridget Healey established this 81-hectare (200-acre) homestead around 1863. Three generations of Healeys lived here, including Stanley Healey, the first government caretaker of Harrington Lake, the prime minister’s country residence in the park.
Today, this rustic cottage is a day shelter. Like others in Gatineau Park, it is equipped with basic amenities: a wood stove and essentials for a fire (during winter only), picnic tables, clothing and equipment racks, and outhouses. Bring a snack and take a break! Overnight stays are not permitted.
To get back to P16, continue onto Trail 50 for 4.8 km.
Meech Creek Valley is more than just a place to visit: it’s an experience that connects you to history and nature. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful escape, Meech Creek Valley offers something for everyone.