Hiking in Parc De La Cité: trails, map and practical info

The park at a glance

According to the City of Longueuil, Parc de la Cité covers 960,000 square metres and can be visited 365 days a year. It has a lawn plain and a retention basin 1 km long, ringed by woodlots and peatlands, with a hill that looks out over Montréal and the Montérégiennes. The 2022 park map also places picnic areas, play areas, water play, a skating rink and a sliding hill in the park.

The trails

The City announces eight kilometres of trails, one of them linked to the Raymond-Lévesque library. That is the total length of the network: the City describes no 8 km loop and no named circuit, and publishes no elevation gain or duration. A multi-use paved path runs around the basin. The map legend distinguishes walking, a multi-purpose trail, a bike lane and a fitness circuit; snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are marked "winter only". The Montée du chemin de Chambly path, part of the Route verte, runs alongside the park.

Dogs and park rules

Dogs are allowed on a leash at all times; the park map sets a leash shorter than 2 metres. The City bans them from the conservation areas of Parc de la Cité, from play areas and play structures, and from bike paths. The map also prohibits swimming, fires and barbecues, camping, drinking alcohol, motor vehicles, leaving the marked trails and feeding animals; the City's page names Canada geese and deer.

Reception pavilion and parking

The reception pavilion, at 6201 boulevard Davis, covers 550 m². According to the City, it includes washrooms, first aid, the café de la Cité, a rental shop and free parking. The City does not say how many other car parks there are or where. Two water-resistant wheelchairs, for the water play area, are lent free of charge at the rental shop.

Hours and seasons

The park map gives opening hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The City's page shows 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. instead (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1), without saying whether that applies to the park or the pavilion: the schedule is unconfirmed. The City lists walking, cycling, inline skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. No entry fee is mentioned on the City pages that were checked.