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To take the bus to Gatineau Park, use the OC Transpo, STO and Transcollines travel planners.

Public transit options to the Park

Yellow school bus

If you plan on visiting popular areas in Gatineau Park on a weekend this fall, we strongly recommend taking the free NCC shuttle to access some of the Park’s sites. Due to the high volume of visitors, the shuttle is the best way to get to popular destinations in the parkways area. 

Board the shuttle from one of several stops and get ready to enjoy the beautiful views near Pink Lake, Mackenzie King Estate and Champlain Lookout! 

NCC shuttle service will be operated by local school bus providers. Our regular partner, the Société de Transport de l’Outaouais (STO), is unable to provide services due to ongoing staffing shortages.

Fortune Lake Parkway: One-way toward Dunlop on weekends

When the shuttle is in service, between 10 am and 5 pm on weekends and Thanksgiving Monday, from September 30 to October 22, all traffic (active mobility and private vehicles) on the southbound Fortune Lake parkway towards the lookouts will be prohibited. This will ensure the safety of the shuttle and of people travelling towards Dunlop.

Schedule and stops

September 30 to October 22, 2023
Weekends and Thanksgiving Monday

Ottawa–Gatineau route

Pīndigen Park ↔ Champlain Lookout
Every 15 to 20 minutes

First departureLast departure
Ottawa–Gatineau to Champlain Lookout9 am1 pm
Champlain Lookout to Ottawa–Gatineau10 am4 pm

Visitor Centre route

Gatineau Park Visitor Centre ↔ Champlain Lookout
Every 30 minutes

First departureLast departure
Visitor Centre to Champlain Lookout 10 am1 pm
Champlain Lookout to Visitor Centre 10:30 am4 pm

NCC paratransit services for Fall Rhapsody weekends

The school buses that provide shuttle services have stairs and narrow aisles and are therefore not accessible. Because of this, Transcollines is partnering with the NCC to offer paratransit services for people with reduced mobility.

Services will be provided on the same days and routes as the regular shuttle, with two routes per day. The first route departs at approximately 9:30 am and the second at approximately 1:30 pm, from the following stops: 

  • Ottawa: Pīndigen Park
  • Gatineau: Canadian Museum of History and South Entrance (P3) 
  • Chelsea: Visitor Centre and Camp Fortune 

Other routes are flexible depending on destinations passengers would like to see. 

Stops

You can board and disembark at any of the following stops. Click on the stop of your choice to learn more about the nearby services and attractions.

Pīndigen Park stop location 

Parking on nearby streets. Pimisi Station (O-Train) is a ten-minute walk from the shuttle stop. Parking ($) at the Canadian War Museum.
Canadian Museum of History stop location 

There is parking on nearby streets, at the museum, and at the Jacques-Cartier Park marina.
Outhouse, water fountain, picnic area and interpretation panels. Leashed dogs allowed.
This stop is at the south entrance of the Park, at the edge of the forest, just steps away from the city. It’s a popular starting point for hiking and biking on the 200 km paved multi-use pathway that winds through the Capital.

South entrance (P3) stop location

What to do and see
Take a few minutes to learn about the Park’s history, geography and ecosystems by viewing the giant map in the reception area. Take a stroll on the Pioneers Trail, with interpretation panels that highlight the history of settlers in the Outaouais region and the Park’s forest diversity.

A little further down
You can get to Lac-des-Fées Pathway via the paved pathway, which is great for bird watching along the lakeshore. Trail 5, also called the Capital Pathway, leads to the Asticou Centre, Relais plein air, and further beyond.

Information officers, outhouse, interpretation panels, lookout. No swimming and no dogs allowed.
Pink Lake is the most exceptional lake in Gatineau Park. Due to its meromictic properties (the bottom and top layers of water never mix), it is turquoise. The lake was named after the Pink family, who settled here in 1826.

Pink Lake Lookout stop location 

What to do and see

Take time to admire the stunning view of the lake from the accessible lookout and read the interpretive panels. Or, go down the stairs to follow the Pink Lake Trail, which circles the lake and offers several viewpoints near the water.

A little further down

Although it is quite a walk, you can also access the Mackenzie King Estate via trails 35 and 15. If you have enough time, the cottages converted into museums, the historic ruins, and the flowering gardens are worth the trip.
Information officers, outhouse, water fountain, picnic area, interpretation panels, historical site. No swimming allowed. Dogs on leash allowed.
The Mackenzie King Estate is the former summer residence of Canada’s tenth prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, who bequeathed it to Canadians. This 2.31 hectare country estate offers the perfect combination of history and nature.

Mackenzie King Estate stop location

What to do and see
Take a walk around the Kingswood and Moorside cottages, stroll through the gardens, and discover the ruins assembled by King to landscape and beautify the surroundings. Learn more about the history of the site from our interpretive guides and through the interactive exhibits.

A little further down

The Lauriault and Waterfall trails, which run along a stream, will lead you to the Bridal Veil Falls and a stone lookout. Although it is a fairly lengthy walk, you can also access Pink Lake via trails 15 and 35.
Outhouse, picnic area, lookout, waterfall. No swimming. Leashed dogs allowed.
Mulvihill Lake is a quiet little lake where wildlife can be observed near the shore. The stream that runs along the Waterfall Trail flows from this lake. The names Mulvihill and Lauriault refer to families who once lived in the area.

Lauriault/Mulvihill stop location

What to do and see
Mulvihill Lake is a jewel to discover. It has an accessible lookout with a view of the lake, as well as a picnic area. The Lauriault and Waterfall trails, which run along a stream, will lead you to the Bridal Veil Falls and a stone lookout.

A little further down

The Mackenzie King Estate, with its magnificent historic ruins, are only 1 km from the stop, if you take the Lauriault Trail on the Mulvihill side. Extend your hike by visiting the cottages (museums) and admiring the gardens.
Outhouse, picnic area, interpretation panels, lookout. No dogs allowed.
This stop is at the base of King Mountain, on the Canadian Shield. Various types of forest grow here. The sudden transitions between the types of trees growing here are due to variations in soil, water and the amount of light.

King Mountain stop location

What to do and see
King Mountain Trail is a challenging loop featuring interpretive panels. Follow it counter-clockwise and stop on the rock overlooking the Eardley Escarpment. You will also pass by Canada’s first geodetic survey station.

A little further down

Start your hike on King Mountain Trail going clockwise. Turn left onto Trail 37 and, after a short distance, you will cross Champlain Parkway. Here you will join trail 30 toward Wattsford Lookout, where you can see the city of Ottawa in the background beyond the hills.
Information officers, outhouse, lookout, interpretation panels. Leashed dogs allowed.
The Champlain Lookout is on the Eardley Escarpment. It rises 270 metres from the floor of the Ottawa Valley and is the best-known viewpoint in the Park. The Escarpment forms a dividing line between the Canadian Shield and the St. Lawrence Lowlands.

Champlain Lookout stop location

What to do and see

Take time to admire the view from the accessible lookout with its iconic wall, or go down the stairs to follow Champlain Trail, and read the interpretive panels. The unique microclimate hosts many rare species.

A little further down

Just a few kilometres away are two day shelters and a lookout with a view over the city. Follow Trail 1 east to the Étienne Brûlé Lookout and Huron Shelter, or head west toward the Western Shelter.
Outhouse, picnic area, restaurant, aerial experience, luge, mountain biking.
Camp Fortune is a destination of choice for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking for fun and excitement. Well known for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, it also offers many activities in the summer.

Camp Fortune stop location

What to do and see

Get out for a ride on the mountain biking trails or test your balance in the aerial park between the trees. You can also try the Mountain Coaster, an exciting new ride on a monorail track through the forest.

A little further down

From Trail 4, starting beyond the aerial park, continue on Trail 1 to the Keogan Shelter or Wattsford Lookout on the other side of Camp Fortune. This trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail, which stretches across Canada, from coast to coast.
Information officers, outhouse, water fountain, picnic area, restaurant, interpretation panels, wi-fi. Leashed dogs allowed.
Our staff at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre will help you plan your visit. Enjoy the free Wi-Fi to download a trail map. Visit the interactive exhibition describing the Park’s ecosystems, and learn about its intriguing history and the conservation efforts being made to protect and preserve it.

Visitor Centre stop location

What to do and see

Near the large grassy area, picnic tables and the Sugarbush Shelter are available in case of rain. Cross the small bridge to reach the Sugarbush Trail, one of four walking trails open year-round.

A little further down

This stop is in the heart of the charming village of Old Chelsea. Cross Scott Road to discover shops, cafés and art galleries. At the end of the road, you will find a small bridge spanning a beautiful waterfall and leading to a picnic area.

Know before you go

  • Safety: Engaging in outdoor activities involves certain risks. Plan a safe and enjoyable outing by following our safety tips.
  • In-line skating: In-line skates and roller skis are not permitted on the parkways when the shuttle is running.
  • Bikes: Buses are not equipped with bike racks and bicycles are not permitted inside the bus.
  • Strollers: Only strollers that can be folded and safely stored in a bus seat are allowed on the shuttle.
  • Dogs: Only guide dogs and service dogs are allowed on board. In Gatineau Park, dogs must be leashed at all times, and are not allowed in picnic areas, or on the Pink Lake or King Mountain trails.
  • Cellphone reception: Cellphone signal reception varies depending on the telephone service provider and the location in the Park (including the parkways sector).
  • Drinking water: Drinking fountains are available at three locations in the Park: South Entrance (P3), the Mackenzie King Estate and the Visitor Centre. Bring your own water bottle.

The free NCC shuttle aims to promote alternative transportation to gradually reduce the number of private vehicles on the Park.

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