Montréal tour: Mount Royal Park
Montréal’s mighty jewel—Mount Royal Park—is the perfect place to add to your itinerary. With quiet, tree-covered corners and wide-open stretches of grass, it’ll feel like you’ve truly activated “vacation mode.”
Background
Mount Royal is a symbol of the city’s identity. Inaugurated in 1876, Mount Royal Park was conceptualized by Frederick Law Olmsted—the same guy who designed New York’s Central Park. The marvellous urban green space features over 200 hectares of astonishing biodiversity and natural beauty, as well as some urban wildlife: Montréalers.
What seems like one big hill is actually three distinct hills. In June 2017, during the 375th anniversary of Montréal, the city formally renamed the Outremont peak Tiohtià:ke Otsira’kéhne, Mohawk for "the place of the big fire," reflecting how the hill was used for a fire beacon by First Nations people.
The big attractions
With hundreds of hectares, there is more than enough space for everyone. Named after the above-mentioned landscape architect, the Olmsted Trail is by far the most popular trail in the park. The crushed-gravel pathway offers the width of a two-lane road. The most popular warm-weather activities along this trail are walking, jogging, cycling, and roller skiing. In the winter, you’ll find people cross-country skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing.
The main attraction along the Olmsted Trail is the Kondiaronk Belvedere at the summit of the mountain. This is the perfect place for views over the city, and the requisite selfie. For a longer walk, do the loop that surrounds the Mount Royal Cross, an LED-illuminated, 103-foot-tall steel crucifix that was first erected in 1924—now over 100 years old!
In the heart of the park, the Smith House provides a variety of visitor services. Find out about what to see and do in the park, pick up a trail map, purchase a souvenir at the gift shop, or visit the exhibition entitled The thousand faces of Mount Royal.
On Sundays, the ever-popular weekly Tam Tams—Montréal’s preeminent drumming experience—takes place on the east side of the park at the Sir George-Étienne-Cartier monument (also known as “the angel statue”) along Parc Avenue.
How to reach the top of Mount Royal
By public transit
From Metro Mont-Royal: Bus 11 (west), stop at Remembrance/Chemin du Chalet or Lac-aux-Castors.
From Metro Côte-des-Neiges: Bus 165 (south), stop at Forest Hill. Then transfer to Bus 11 (east) and stop at Remembrance/Chemin du Chalet or Lac-aux-Castors.
On foot
South of Mount Royal: Take entrance at the corner of Rue Peel and Avenue des Pins (W). Climb up stairs to Kondiaronk lookout.
East: Walk Chemin Olmsted until the summit or take the stairs (mid-route) to Kondiaronk lookout.
West: Take Rue Hill Park Circle via Chemin Côte-des-Neiges and follow it to Beaver Lake Pavilion.
By car
If you’re accessing the park via vehicle, search “Mont Royal Parking” on Google. Additional parking is available behind the “Pavillon du Lac-aux-Castors” (also on Google). Rates are currently $4/hour.
Additional activity ideas for Mount Royal Park
Look for birds. This list of 100+ bird species that visit Mount Royal—including the pileated woodpecker, the indigo bunting, the house wren, and the cedar waxwing—will give you plenty to tweet about.
Meditate in the forest. With 280 hectares to explore, there are plenty of quiet corners to sit and enjoy the stillness of nature. For a guided meditation, download a free meditation app, such as Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer.
Play badminton. BYO birdies and rackets.
Take a guided tour. Guided tours help you learn more about the city (and in this case, more about Mount Royal). You’ll also be supporting a local business. Win-win. Book a private tour with Spade & Palacio Tours or with Les Amis de la Montagne.
Skate. When the weather turns icy, Montréalers slide into their skates. You can join them by renting ice skates at the Beaver Lake Pavilion.
Ski. Skiers can depart from Maison Smith, Beaver Lake, or at the base of the hill near the Sir George-Étienne Cartier monument, if you come equipped with your own skis. Along the way, you’ll have access to both wooded and wide-open landscapes. Rentals available at the Beaver Lake Pavilion. Here’s a map of the ski routes.
Tube. Glide down the hill on an inner tube! You’ll find the tube hill beside Beaver Lake.
Eat. That brings us to the next point…
Eat!
Visitors wanting some nibbles (think sandwiches and salads) have access to the Café des Amis in the Beaver Lake Pavilion and Mount Royal Chalet. A variety of drinks and cold dishes are available for take-out. On hot days, frozen treats are on sale from kiosks located next to Beaver Lake, Smith House, and the Mount Royal Chalet. On cold days, opt for soup and hot chocolate!
When picnicking in the park, be sure to take out any of your trash. Leave no trace.
Freshen up!
One of the biggest questions for many of us: where can I pee? Currently there are three options for public washrooms. Visitors can enter the back of Mount Royal Chalet (at the Kondiaronk Belvedere) to use the facilities located in the basement. Washrooms are also located in the Beaver Lake Pavilion and in Parc Jeanne-Mance (search ‘Place Fletcher's Field’ on Google Maps for the exact GPS location).
It’s always helpful to carry your own hand sanitizer.
Après-park option
After you’ve explored the mountain, one of the closest points for a stroll and a meal is along Laurier Street West.
Here are a few of our favourite restaurants (some offering dine-in, some offering takeout):
Here are a few of our favourite boutiques:
Daniel Baylis
Daniel Baylis is a writer, poet, and musician. Several years ago he moved to Montréal to chase silly bohemian dreams. And he’s still at it.
Facebook / Instagram / Twitter