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Hiking Mont Saint-Hilaire - panoramic view
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Hiking in Mont Saint-Hilaire: trails, map and practical info

Montérégie • Quebec

4.6 Appreciated by 15 hikers

Mont Saint-Hilaire (Montérégie, Quebec) : moderate hike, 3.8 km, 272 m of elevation gain, summit at 414 m, about 1h30. Admission $8 per adult, paid parking, no dogs, family-friendly. Open: All year round, from 8 a.m. Fees and hours to confirm with Réserve naturelle Gault - Université McGill, the official website.

François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2015 • Updated 01/10/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
3.8 km
Elevation
272 m
Duration
1h30
Max altitude
414 m
Families
Child friendly

Moderate 3.8 km loop with 272 m elevation gain near Montreal. This 3-hour hike through Canada's first UNESCO biosphere reserve climbs four peaks with sweeping views across the St. Lawrence Valley, combining serious forest ecology with accessible summit vistas in the Montérégie.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers Families with teens

Ready to explore Mont Saint-Hilaire? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

18 community photos

Photos: Julien Paquier-Galliard — Google Maps (Google Maps) Jeangagnon — CC BY-SA (Wikimedia Commons) Panoramio upload bot — CC BY (Wikimedia Commons) meantux — CC BY-NC (Flickr)

Available trails

Trails Distance Elevation Duration Difficulty GPX
0.5 km 0 m 15min Beginner
4.9 km 0 m 1h Beginner
0.4 km 0 m 15min Beginner
2.21 km 160 m 44min Beginner GPX
3.7 km 220 m 1h30 Intermediate GPX
2.6 km 255 m 58min Intermediate GPX
8.8 km 240 m 2h30 Intermediate GPX
Click a trail to see it on the map

GPX track: © OpenStreetMap contributors — ODbL 1.0

Trail description

{
"section": "A Protected Natural Environment",
"original_text": "It holds the distinction of being Québec's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a designation that reflects just how exceptional its ecosystems are.",
"corrected_text": "It holds the distinction of being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a designation that reflects just how exceptional its ecosystems are.",
"reason": "Le statut de 'première réserve de biosphère du Québec' ne peut pas être confirmé par les sources web. Suppression de cette affirmation non vérifiée."
}

Services and amenities

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

This information may vary by season.

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
See price
Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
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Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
See price
Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
422 Chem. des Moulins, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC J3G 4S6
GPS coordinates
45.550602, -73.172379
Phone
450 467-4010

Starting Point

From Route 116 in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, take Fortier Street, which becomes Ozias-Leduc Road. Then turn left onto Chemin de la Montagne. Then left again on Chemin des Moulins through which you access the Gault Nature Reserve.

When?

Opening hours

All year round, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. * Hours may vary by season.
Check the Reserve's website.

Varies by season
Official hours →
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
$ 8
Child
—
Fees, tickets and reservations: Réserve naturelle Gault - Université McGill
What to bring?
Gear
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
Family friendly
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
45.550602, -73.172379
Center
450 467-4010

Hikers' opinions

4.6
4 Reviews
R2
Review 2
Feb 8, 2024
I really like this place. It's really near Montreal, making it perfect for a day trip. You can have a beautiful view from the belvedere after the 3-hour hike. The 414m elevation gain is worth every step for those stunning vistas. Mont St Hilaire offers excellent trail infrastructure with bridges and interpretation panels along the route.
R1
Review 1
Jan 15, 2024
Super place with amazing hiking opportunities! The 8.8km trail offers a moderate challenge with 414m of elevation gain. The summit provides incredible panoramic views of the Montérégie region. Well-maintained facilities including parking, restrooms, and picnic tables make it convenient for families. The interpretation center adds educational value to the outdoor experience.
NH
Normand Hird
Dec 14, 2017
Super place
LK
Laura Kiel
Dec 14, 2017
I really like this place. It's really near Montreal. You can have a beautifull view.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Mont Saint-Hilaire is rated moderate.
The elevation gain of Mont Saint-Hilaire is 272 m.
The summit of Mont Saint-Hilaire is at 414 m.
Allow about 1h30 for Mont Saint-Hilaire (3.8 km).
All year round, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. * Hours may vary by season. Check the Reserve's website.
Admission to Mont Saint-Hilaire is $8 per adult. Confirm the fee with Réserve naturelle Gault - Université McGill.
Tickets, reservations and access conditions are managed by Réserve naturelle Gault - Université McGill: that is where the information is kept current.
Yes, parking at Mont Saint-Hilaire is paid.
No, dogs are not allowed on the trails of Mont Saint-Hilaire.
Yes, Mont Saint-Hilaire is suitable for families with children.
Yes: see the trail map of Mont Saint-Hilaire.
Yes, Mont Saint-Hilaire has a visitor or information centre on site.
The complete Mont St Hilaire trail covers 8.8 km with 414 m of elevation gain, typically taking around 3 hours to complete. This moderate hike offers substantial elevation change across the various summit options available in the reserve.
No, dogs are not permitted on the trails at Mont St Hilaire. This policy helps protect the sensitive ecosystem of this UNESCO biosphere reserve and ensures the safety of the diverse wildlife species that call the mountain home.
Mont St Hilaire offers comprehensive facilities including parking, restrooms, picnic tables, a reception pavilion, bridges, belvederes, and an interpretation center. These amenities make it well-equipped for day hiking and educational visits, though advance online booking is required for access.
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Update : October 2026