Advisory

Please take note of the following before your visit.

Hike up Gatineau Park’s King Mountain Trail, and take in the spectacular view of the Ottawa River Valley. The 1.9-kilometre King Mountain Trail has interpretation panels and 10 lookouts.

The hilly landscape around King Mountain is part of the Canadian Shield, one of the oldest and hardest rock formations in the world. King Mountain is on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, which in this area is marked by the cliffs of the Eardley Escarpment.

The First Geodetic Survey Station National Historic Site is on King Mountain at an elevation of 344 metres (1,129 feet). It was the first geodetic station, or triangulation point, established in Canada for land surveys.

Important

  • King Mountain is very fragile, and it is important that visitors follow the principles of outdoor ethics.
  • Dogs and other pets are not allowed at King Mountain.

Visiting King Mountain

Hours and how to get there

The most direct access point to King Mountain is the starting point of the trail located next to the King Mountain parking lot.

From May until the end of October, King Mountain is accessible to vehicle traffic via Gatineau Parkway, following the Gatineau Park Parkway schedule. The free Gatineau Park shuttle stops at King Mountain everyday except Wednesdays. Let the Park drive you!

King Mountain is closed during the winter, and the trail is reserved for cross-country skiing. 

Summer-Fall: Getting there from another trailhead or parking lot

King Mountain parking lot is not accessible from the parkway and you’re up for a challenge? Here is another option to get there by foot or bike from other official parking lots. 

Start at parking lot P7, and take Trail 30. Turn left on Trail 8, cross the Champlain Parkway and then take Trail 37 until you reach the King Mountain loop. This adds approximately 4.2 km (round trip) to your hike.

Facilities

  • Washrooms: There are universally accessible dry toilets by the trail.
  • Parking: Free parking is available.
  • Picnic Areas: There are picnic tables by the King Mountain Trail.
  • Universal Accessibility: The picnic area and dry toilets are universally accessible, but the trail is not.

A diversity of Forests

As you walk along the King Mountain Trail, you will encounter a series of different forest types. The rapid changes between types of trees are due to the variations in soil, water and light. The result is landscape ranging from dark evergreen forest, to rich deciduous forest, to a windswept plain with stunted oak trees.

Most of the evergreen trees on King Mountain are eastern hemlock. The north-facing slope of King Mountain is steep and rocky with poor soil. Few plants other than moss can adapt to such growing conditions, but it is perfect for hemlock, which can live for 500 to 600 years.