Estimated time to read: 5 minutes

Last updated: September 29, 2023

Each fall, hundreds of thousands of visitors from Ottawa, Gatineau and elsewhere make a trip to Gatineau Park. A favourite among local residents and visitors — and for good reason — Gatineau Park often reaches visitor capacity during Fall Rhapsody.

Here are a few tips for the best and safest experience.

Visit the Park on a weekday

Those who frequent the Park on a regular basis stay away from the parkway sector on Fall Rhapsody weekends. They know that, with the high volume of traffic and number of visitors, they will not get the experience they are looking for.

If you can, it’s better to visit Pink Lake, the Mackenzie King Estate or King Mountain during the week. It’s also important to note that, during Fall Rhapsody, Gatineau Park parkways are open only for active users every day until noon. Motor vehicles can access the parkways daily from noon until 30 minutes after sunset.

Explore lesser-known destinations

The areas on the Park periphery are less busy — but are just as scenic. They also have the added benefit of offering a more peaceful experience for visitors. 

A drive east or west of the Park will provide a full view of the landscape from a distance, and allow you to discover Chelsea, La Pêche and Pontiac. Whether travelling by bike or by car, exercise caution, share the road and follow the Quebec Highway Safety Code.

North-east of the Park: Chelsea, Wakefield and La Pêche

From Gatineau, by car, take Highway 5 north. You will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Park’s forests and a panorama of the Gatineau Hills. By bike, take Highway 105.

The Meech Creek Valley area is accessible from Cross Loop Road, at exit 24, or from Pine Road, off Highway 105. The Wakefield area is accessed via exit 28. And, for the Philippe Lake area, take Highway 366 west from exit 28.

This route offers cultural and natural attractions within the Park and on the outskirts of the Park.


Meech Creek Valley
, Municipality of Chelsea

This beautiful valley winds through farmland and includes a covered bridge, as well as a route, on Cross Loop Road, with interpretation panels on the history of settlement in the area. From parking lot P16, you can access Trail 50, which is open for both hiking and biking.

View of Meech Creek Valley in the fall. Scene of a covered bridge and haybales, with ochre- and orange-coloured trees in the background.

Wakefield, Municipality of La Pêche

The tourist village of Wakefield is a destination in itself. It boasts the Wakefield Mill and an iconic covered bridge. Parking lot P17 connects with trails 53 and 72, and provides access to a network of shared trails for hiking and mountain biking.

Philippe Lake sector, Municipality of La Pêche

This area provides access to picnic spots and a network of hiking and mountain biking trails. In this area, you’ll find Trail 51 (starting at P19), Trail 55 (starting at Breton Beach) and Trail 50 (starting at Parent Beach). Those with a taste for adventure will enjoy a hike to the Lusk Cave (start at Parent Beach and follow the signs to Lusk Cave).

Philippe Lake in the fall, with ochre- and orange-coloured trees in the background.

In the fall, this area is underused and, since it has large parking lots for people who come to use the beaches, it can accommodate a lot of vehicles. It also offers captivating views of scenic landscapes from the lakeshore. If you have a weakness for scenic fall landscapes reflecting on the water, you absolutely must check out Philippe Lake during Fall Rhapsody.

West of the Park: Pontiac

From Gatineau, by car or by bike, take Highway 148 west. This route offers magnificent views of the Eardley Escarpment.

Luskville Falls, Municipality of Pontiac

This area provides access to the Luskville Falls and Church Hill picnic areas, as well as to the Luskville Falls Trail. The trail has two lookouts, a fire tower and interpretation panels. It boasts magnificent views from the Eardley Escarpment, looking toward the Ottawa River.

Luskville Falls in the fall, with red and orange foliage and fields in the background.

Can’t decide? Do a loop around the Park!

It is possible to do a loop around the Park (approximately 70 km), by car. This route provides magnificent views of the countryside around the municipalities of Chelsea, La Pêche and Pontiac, all in the same outing

Cyclists with a taste for adventure can also do a similar loop around the Park, taking municipal roads instead of Highway 5, which is not bikeable.

Note:

  • An eight-kilometre section of the Eardley-Masham Road, which links the municipalities of La Pêche and Pontiac, is a gravel road.
  • The La Pêche Lake sector of the Park, which is accessible in the summer via the Eardley-Masham Road, is closed after Thanksgiving. This seasonal closure has no impact on the loop, which is accessible year-round.

Always have a Plan B

Don’t be taken by surprise! Even if you follow our first two tips, it could happen that you might have to revise the plans for your outing.

The Park is a very popular destination in the fall. It can easily happen at some point or another that all the parking lots will be full. And sometimes the parkways have to be closed temporarily during periods of heavy traffic.

Take the free NCC shuttle

The free NCC shuttle service will be offered again this year. Hop on the shuttle at one of the pick-up locations in Ottawa, Gatineau or Chelsea. Other than active transportation, the shuttle is the only way you can be sure to get to the popular destinations in the parkway sector, such as Pink Lake, the Mackenzie King Estate and Champlain Lookout!

Discover hidden gems outside of Gatineau Park

From the downtown heart of the Capital to the peaceful Greenbelt and beyond, there are many unique and fascinating places just waiting to be discovered. The Capital Region has plenty of hidden gems tucked away from the crowds.

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