Hiking Sentier Écologique « Le Petit Castor » - panoramic view
--°C
Loading...
See forecast →

Hiking in Sentier Écologique « Le Petit Castor »: trails, map and practical info

Laurentides • Quebec

4.7 Appreciated by 27 hikers
François Dumaine
By François DumaineContributor since 2016Updated 26/05/2026
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
4 km
Elevation
40 m
Duration
1h15
Max altitude
40 m
Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Sentier Écologique « Le Petit Castor »? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

3 community photos

Available trails

Trails Distance Elevation Duration Difficulty GPX
0.1 km 0 m 15min Beginner
0.1 km 0 m 15min Beginner
2.4 km 158 m 47min Beginner
1 km 47 m 18min Beginner
Click a trail to see it on the map

Trail description

Désolé, nous n'avons pas de description pour cet endroit.

Soyez le premier à partager plus d'informations sur cet endroit.

Services and amenities

Parking Icon Parking
Toilet Icon Toilet
Belvedere Icon Belvedere
Bridge Icon Bridge
Interpretation Center Icon Interpretation Center
Picnic table Icon Picnic table
Swim Icon Swim

This information may vary by season.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Not available
GPS coordinates
46.2886397, -75.4683629
Phone
Not available

When?

Opening hours
No information
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
Loading

How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
What to bring?
Gear
  • Hiking shoes Essential
  • Layered clothing Essential
  • Rain jacket Essential
  • Trekking poles
  • Headlamp
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
46.2886397, -75.4683629
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.7
19 Reviews
D
David
Jan 18, 2026
Visited during early morning and the experience was magical! The light filtering through the old-growth hemlock forest created a serene atmosphere. The sound of cascading waterfalls combined with vibrant greenery made for excellent photography opportunities. I particularly enjoyed the wildflowers and diverse flora along the trail. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and beginners alike.
M
Michael
Nov 22, 2025
Fantastic family-friendly trail! The interpretation center was very informative about the local ecosystem and logging history. My children loved spotting wildlife and playing near the waterfalls. The picnic tables by the bridge made for a perfect lunch spot. The trail is easy enough for kids to navigate while still offering beautiful scenery and educational value.
M
Michael
Nov 22, 2025
Great little trail that takes about an hour to complete, though it can be a bit technical when wet so watch your footing. The path winds through beautiful maple trees and offers wonderful views of waterfalls along the way. We were a bit tired so we skipped the viewpoint climb, but the main trail itself was well-maintained and enjoyable for a quick nature escape.
M
Marcus
Nov 3, 2025
A solid choice for families seeking an accessible outdoor experience. The 3.6 km route proved manageable for children, and the interpretation center provided valuable insights into local ecology. The bridge crossing and picnic areas made it convenient for a full day outing. While not particularly challenging, it offers a pleasant introduction to hiking in the Laurentides region.
L
Lisa
Oct 18, 2025
Beautiful ecological trail featuring an impressive old-growth hemlock forest and several lovely waterfalls throughout the route. The stream is particularly charming and we were fortunate to see small fish and ducks during our visit. The trail offers a nice mix of easy riverside walking and more challenging sections leading to the lookouts, making it suitable for different fitness levels.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Easy
40.00 M
40.00 M
1h15
No
Yes
Yes, the Sentier Écologique « Le Petit Castor » is well-suited for families with young children. Its easy difficulty rating, minimal elevation gain of 40 meters, and short 3.6-kilometer distance make it accessible for beginners and children. The trail also features family-friendly amenities including picnic tables, an interpretation center, and swimming opportunities.
The Sentier Écologique « Le Petit Castor » offers diverse activities and features including an interpretation center to learn about the local ecosystem, scenic views from a belvedere, bridges for wildlife observation, picnic areas, and swimming opportunities. The trail's ecological focus provides opportunities to observe the natural environment and wildlife in the Laurentides region.
Didn't find your answer?
Free 1 pages

The Essential Hiking Checklist

Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

Download the free checklist
Top 10 best hiking in Laurentides
Our ranking based on hiker reviews

Hiking near Gatineau

48 trails to explore ~92 km away

View trails
Did you spot an error?

We work hard to provide the most up-to-date and error-free data possible. If something seems incorrect, let us know!

Update : June 2026