Gatineau Park’s Wolf Trail (Trail 62) is very popular. However, several sections of the trail are prone to erosion, which poses public and environmental risks, and maintenance problems as well.
The trail rehabilitation project, planned from spring to fall 2024, aims to remedy these problems by rerouting certain sections of the trail.
Impact of work
Preparatory work
In preparation for the work, the NCC will cut down about 60 trees and pull out bushes and small trees growing along the sections of the future trail corridor. The existing trail will still be accessible; however, trail users may hear more noise than usual.
Rehabilitation work
The majority of the work is planned from spring to fall 2024. Some closures will be required during that period.
About the project
The goal of the project is to provide better protection for the environment and the public, ensure sustainability and improve the recreational experience of the trail.
Current trail issues
The trail currently has watercourses running across it and is surrounded by wetland. This means it is often wet or muddy, conditions that promote both natural erosion and erosion caused by humans. Consequently, the trail has been getting wider, causing the ecosystem to become more fragile and negatively affecting trail usage.
These conditions, and steep slopes on the trail, encourage walkers to venture off the main trail and create alternate and unofficial trails. This affects the ecosystem, fragments habitats and complicates search and rescue operations.
New section
Certain sections of the existing trail will be improved and others will be rerouted. Mahingan and Tawadina lookouts will be part of the new alignment.
In total, approximately:
- 4 km of the existing trail will be rehabilitated;
- 3 km of the existing trail will be closed and renaturalized;
- 4.8 km of the new trail will replace the sections being closed.
The total trail length will go from 8.3 km to approximately 10.1 km, which adds about 1.8 km to the trail.
Tree compensation plan
As part of this project, the NCC will plant two trees for every living tree cut down that is at least 10 cm in diameter, and one tree for every dead tree cut down that is at least 10 cm in diameter. The new trees will be planted in the sections of the trail that will be closed and renaturalized.
Process and timeline
More details to follow.