This beautiful park near Ottawa has a breathtaking lookout and hidden waterfall trail
If you're looking for a quick escape from the city, you can visit this gorgeous park near Ottawa that offers scenic nature and breathtaking views.
Just 20 minutes from Ottawa, you can visit a stunning park with trails that lead to incredible lookout points and impressive natural wonders.
In Gatineau Park, you can embark on the Waterfall and Lauriault Trail, a scenic hike that packs a ton of beauty into just a few kilometres.
The moderately challenging loop trail can be found near the Mackenzie King Estate, a popular attraction near the city.
The trail offers a mix of forest walks, historic ruins, and stunning viewpoints, and is said to have been former prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King’s favourite trail on his estate.
The trail begins at the Mackenzie King Estate, a place that will make you feel as though you've been transported to the early 1900s.
The 231-hectare country estate belonged to Canada’s 10th and longest-serving prime minister, King. After spending almost 50 years beautifying and expanding his property, King bequeathed his estate to all Canadians so that they could enjoy it too.
Here you'll find English and French gardens, museums, a gift shop and more. From late spring until mid-fall, you can explore two 1940s cottages and see exhibits about the former prime minister's life and times.
Throughout the year, you can also admire the picturesque architectural ruins that King collected and reconstructed here.
The Mackenzie King Estate and the Lauriault and Waterfall Trail both connect to the P6 parking lot in Gatineau Park.
From the estate, hike the 4.5-kilometre loop trail to see beautiful forest paths and scenic streams winding through the forest.
Stay on the trail to reach the famous waterfall. Bridal Veil Falls, also known as Laurialut Falls, was named by King, who is said to have loved its rushing waters.
The pretty falls tumble over the side of a steep hill and are definitely worth stopping at for a while. After you've had your fill of the waterfall, simply head back on the loop to return to the Mackenzie King Estate.
The trail is rated "difficult" by the National Capital Commission, taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. It's a lovely spot to visit in the late summer, but would also be perfect in the fall, when the leaves start changing colour.
You can even bring your furry friend along for the hike, though they must be on a leash. Leashed pets are allowed on trails except for Pink Lake, King Mountain or Luskville Falls from April 15 to November 30, according to the NCC.
In Gatineau Park, you'll find a number of other scenic trails to explore, including the popular King Mountain trail, which leads to the top of the Eardley Escarpment, 300 metres above the Ottawa Valley, and the Pink Lake trail, which loops around a beautiful meromictic lake with turquoise waters.
Gatineau Park Waterfall and Lauriault Trail
Price: Free admission; parking fee
Address: Mackenzie King Estate Parking Lot P6, MacKenzie King Road, Chelsea, QC
Why You Need To Go: You can explore this scenic route in Gatineau Park, which leads to a beautiful lookout and stunning waterfall.
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.
