Hiking in Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies: trails, map and practical info

The park

Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies is divided into three sectors: Marais and Rivière-des-Prairies, Bois-de-l'Héritage and Fleuve. According to the City of Montreal, people come in summer for hiking (8.4 km) or cycling, and to see a great diversity of rare birds and mammals, including white-tailed deer.

Walking trails

In summer, the City of Montreal lists one 4.7 km walking trail, then four named trails: Le Lapin (4.9 km), L'Écureuil (3.3 km), La Grenouille (1.7 km) and La Tortue (1.4 km). It rates all of them “easy.”

According to the “Prêt à partir” sheet from Balise Québec (2022), published on baliseqc.ca, the Lapin loop, in the Marais et Rivière-des-Prairies sector, crosses different ecosystems: a beginner-level loop with negligible elevation gain that starts at the Pavillon des Marais. That sheet gives 4.4 km and about 1 h 30, while the City's page lists the Lapin trail at 4.9 km. Both figures are published; neither says how it was measured. The map point on this page is the Chalet Héritage, about 1.6 km from the Pavillon des Marais, where the loop starts. The sheet recommends early June to late October and mid-December to mid-March.

Lookout, Pavillon des Marais and Chalet Héritage

The observation lookout (12300 boulevard Gouin Est), in the marsh sector, makes it easier to watch the birds that frequent the marsh, according to the City.

The Pavillon des Marais, at the same address, is the starting point for the hiking and cycling trails of the marsh and Rivière-des-Prairies sector. It has a permanent exhibition on the birdlife of eastern Montreal, with interactive modules inside and an outdoor educational trail on bird ecology; a naturalist from the organization GUEPE greets visitors. According to the City's page, it is open from April 1 to September 30, on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Chalet Héritage (14905 rue Sherbrooke Est), in the central Bois-de-l'Héritage sector, is the starting point for the hiking trails of the Bois-de-l'Héritage and Fleuve sectors. It has parking, it can be reached by public transit, and it is open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Parking and fees

Parking is paid. According to the “Prêt à partir” sheet from Balise Québec (2022), the Pavillon des Marais lot has 34 spaces. For the nature parks, the City of Montreal sets the ticket at $8.60 for 2 hours and $11 for the day, taxes included (page updated July 27, 2026). You pay at the pay station by Visa or Mastercard, or with the Secunik mobile payment app. The City also sells an annual permit ($69.70) and a seasonal permit ($27.80, September 1 to December 31). Parking lots are generally open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and may close earlier.

Accessibility

The City's page says the park is stroller-friendly and has accessible washrooms. The Pavillon des Marais and the Chalet Héritage are wheelchair accessible with assistance and have reserved parking spaces (permit).

In winter

According to the City, you can go sledding on the hill, snowshoeing (6.7 km), cross-country skiing (12.4 km) or fatbiking (4.2 km). At the Pavillon des Marais, the multi-use trail is shared in winter by hikers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and fatbikers. At the Chalet Héritage, a snowshoe loop explores the Fleuve sector. The City's page shows the status of each facility.