Hiking in Mont Saint-Grégoire: trails, map and practical info

Mont Saint-Grégoire is one of the Monteregian hills. CIME Haut-Richelieu (Centre d'interprétation du milieu écologique du Haut-Richelieu), which looks after its protection, describes it as the smallest of the Monteregian hills, yet its summit, at 251 metres, is higher than Mount Royal and Mont Saint-Bruno. The mountain is an almost perfectly cylindrical intrusion 680 m in diameter, and its 200-metre drop over a small area makes the topography sharply pronounced.

A Protected Area

CIME protects 69 hectares in perpetuity, 25% of the forested massif, summit included. The Government of Quebec officially recognizes part of these lands as a private nature reserve. The site is reserved for hiking and for educational activities supervised by CIME staff; visitors must stay on the marked trails at all times.

The Trails

CIME describes its trails as very steep and rocky and suggests allowing 1 to 2 hours, depending on your physical ability and whether young children are with you. Its trail map gives the length of each trail, one way only:

• Le Panorama: 1.0 km
• La Carrière: 1.4 km
• La Friche: 0.7 km
• Les Arènes: 0.5 km
• Le Raccourci: 0.2 km
• Le Petit Sommet: 0.2 km

The elevation change of each trail is not published; the 200 m figure is that of the mountain.

Natural Environment

The mountain carries two types of forest stands: maple–hickory forest and boreal oak forest. At the summit, the vegetation is shrubby. CIME reports white-tailed deer, raccoon, groundhog and red fox among the mammals, and wood thrush, black-throated blue warbler and scarlet tanager among the birds. The cliffs provide suitable nesting habitat for the peregrine falcon.

Access, Tickets and Rules

The trails are open every day. The hours CIME publishes for November 2026 to March 2027 run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (3:30 p.m. from January 23 to March 7, 2027), with closures on December 24, 25 and 31, 2026 and January 1, 2027. You must have left the parking area no later than one hour after closing time. Tickets are sold at the reception only, with no reservation, in cash or by debit card; credit cards are not accepted. A reservation is required for any group of 15 people or more.

Pets, including dogs on a leash, are not allowed. Hunting, fires, camping, climbing, cycling, ATVs, hang gliding, paragliding and operating a drone or remote-controlled vehicle are also prohibited. Take all your garbage with you and do not pick or remove any natural element.

Crampon, Pole and Baby Carrier Rentals

CIME rents crampons (adult $10.25, child aged 5 to 17 $7.25), poles (adult $9.25) and baby carriers (adult $13.50), taxes included. The rate covers 2 hours, plus $5 for each additional hour, with a reduced rate for members.