Hiking Réserve Nationale De Faune Du Lac Saint-françois - panoramic view
--°C
Loading...
See forecast →

Hiking in Réserve Nationale De Faune Du Lac Saint-françois: trails, map and practical info

Montérégie • Quebec

4.7 Appreciated by 44 hikers
François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2016 • Updated 23/06/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
11 km
Elevation
23 ft
Duration
2h45
Max altitude
127 ft

This easy 10.6 km trail through Montérégie's largest wildlife sanctuary spans over 1,500 hectares of diverse ecosystems near Montreal. Minimal elevation gain makes it perfect for birdwatching and wildlife spotting across wetlands, meadows, and woodlands.

Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Réserve Nationale De Faune Du Lac Saint-françois? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

6 community photos

Trail description

{
"the_trail": "

The main trail here runs 10.6 km with minimal elevation gain, making it genuinely flat from start to finish. This is an easy route that most people complete in around 2 hours and 45 minutes, though if you're the type to stop and watch a heron stand motionless for five minutes, budget a little more time. The terrain is well-maintained and accessible, which makes it a solid choice for families, beginners, or anyone looking for a long, peaceful walk without the physical demands of a more technical trail.

",
"access_period": "

Access Period

The trail is open from May to October. Plan your visit within this seasonal window and verify current conditions before your trip.

"
}

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
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
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
7600 Chem. de la Pointe-Fraser, Saint-Anicet, QC J0S 1L0, Canada
GPS coordinates
45.0430587, -74.4661792
Phone
(450) 264-5908

Starting Point

To get to the trailhead of Les amis de la réserve nationale de faune du Lac Saint-François, you must go to Sainte-Julie.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
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
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
45.0430587, -74.4661792
Center
(450) 264-5908

Hikers' opinions

4.7
20 Reviews
R1
Review 10
Sep 14, 2024
You'll love it here! The extensive 10.6 km trail system provides easy access to beautiful natural areas with just 10m elevation gain. Perfect for a relaxing outdoor adventure while supporting important wildlife conservation efforts.
R9
Review 9
Aug 5, 2024
Superb conservation area with excellent trail maintenance and diverse ecosystems. The 10.6 km network offers easy access to pristine natural habitats with minimal elevation gain, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers in the Montérégie region.
R4
Review 4
Jul 12, 2024
Great place with incredible biodiversity! There were a lot of bugs in July (bring repellent during summer months), but the view was incredible and there were nice species of birds throughout the 10.6 km trail system. The easy terrain with minimal elevation gain allows for comfortable wildlife watching despite the seasonal insects.
R8
Review 8
Jun 10, 2024
I went with my friend, and it was wonderful. The easy 10.6 km trails are perfect for sharing the experience with others. The flat terrain allows for comfortable conversation while enjoying the diverse wildlife and well-maintained facilities throughout the conservation area.
R7
Review 7
May 22, 2024
I had a lot of fun there exploring the extensive trail network. The 10.6 km of easy paths with minimal elevation make it enjoyable for visitors of all ages. Great place to spend a day outdoors in nature.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Easy
23.00 m
127.00 m
2h45
No
No
The Friends of the Lake Saint-François National Wildlife Area trail is rated as Easy difficulty. With only 10 meters of elevation gain over 10.6 km, it's suitable for hikers of most fitness levels.
The Friends of the Lake Saint-François National Wildlife Area trail is 10.6 km long. The relatively flat terrain with minimal elevation gain makes it a manageable distance for most hikers.
No, dogs are not allowed on the Friends of the Lake Saint-François National Wildlife Area trail. This restriction helps protect the wildlife in this national wildlife area.
Yes, the Friends of the Lake Saint-François National Wildlife Area trail is excellent for beginners. The Easy difficulty rating and minimal elevation gain of only 10 meters make it very accessible for novice hikers.
The Friends of the Lake Saint-François National Wildlife Area trail is open from sunrise to sunset. Plan your visit accordingly and verify current conditions before your visit.
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 Montérégie
Our ranking based on hiker reviews

Hiking near Laval

97 trails to explore ~86 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