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Summary

This Hidden Waterfall Runs Through Beautiful Old Ruins & It's Just 30 Minutes From Ottawa

You'll also see a bright blue lake. 😍

Staff Writer

Lace up your sneakers, as there are unbelievable ruins with a waterfall through them only 30-minutes from Ottawa.

There is no shortage of incredible sights within Gatineau Park, but one you'll want to see for yourself is the hauntingly beautiful Carbide Willson Ruins.

To see it for yourself, head to the P11 O'Brien parking lot near O'Brien Beach, and follow Trail 36.

The easy 3.25-kilometre roundtrip path will take you through the forest and over the blue water of Meech Lake.

Then you'll reach the ruins of an old fertilizer plant built by inventor Thomas Leopold Willson.

Today you can still see the remains of the dam and plant next to the falls, making for a photo-worthy spot.

Carbide Willson Ruins

Price: $13 per vehicle (half price after 3 p.m.)

Address: Chelsea, QC

Why You Need To Go: If you visit in the summer, make sure to bring your swimsuit, as the parking lot is only a few minutes away from O'Brien Beach.

Website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

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  • Stephanie White was an Ottawa-based Associate Editor for Narcity Canada. She has been writing mouthwatering food and wanderlust-inspiring articles for Canadians since 2012. She has a B.A. and B.Ed. from Ottawa University. When she isn't writing, you can find her travelling the globe and trying new restaurants. Stephanie has previously been published on Insider, Flight Network, Apartment Therapy, Faces Magazine, Daily Hive, Dished and The Spruce.

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