Refresh and recharge with an autumn walk in Montréal 🍂
When Montréal changes wardrobes into her fall colours, the city turns unforgettably aflame in red, yellow and orange. There’s no better time to go tree-watching – like the Japanese have their hanami cherry blossom season, Montréal has its awe-inspiring autumns. Here are three unique, locally beloved spots perfect to contemplate the changing of the seasons.
The wide-open spaces of Frédéric-Back Park
One of Montréal’s newest epic green spaces, Frédéric-Back Park is the city’s largest environmental rehabilitation project in its history, completely transformed from its earlier lifetimes as an industrial quarry and waste facility. Nestled in the Saint-Michel quartier, Frédéric-Back Park is rimmed by soaring trees and punctuated by sporting fields perfect for the active set. But just as intriguing as the picturesque flora and fauna are the glow-in-the-dark spheres scattered throughout the park. They may look like landed UFOs, but they’re actually bio-gas wells, an integral part of a massive renewal energy system, and sure to make any photograph stick out in your followers’ feeds.
Head to the woods at Bois-de-Liesse
Every visit to the Parc-nature du Bois-de-Liesse is different – it’s a place that reveals its secrets slowly, with a surprise vista around every corner, set against the soothing rush of the Rivière des Prairies. Don’t miss the Sentier des Attraits for an interactive look at woodlands life, and it’s worth seeking out the series of raised platforms giving a whole new view of the forest floor. There are even comfy resting spots scattered throughout the park, perfect for stretching out with a book beneath the falling leaves. A prime location for birdwatching and nature-spotting under its canopy of sky-high trees, the Bois-de-Liesse is sure to make you quickly forget the hustle bustle of the city.
Walk amongst art on the banks of the St. Lawrence
A finger of land pointing out into the St. Lawrence River, Parc René-Lévesque and its Jardin de sculptures du Musée plain air de Lachine make for an unforgettable fall walk surrounded by flowing water. An exclamation point at the end of the Lachine Canal multipurpose path, the Parc René-Lévesque features an arboretum stuffed with tree life from around the world and eye-popping sculptures dating from the 1960s to today. The benches at the furthest point of the park offer breathtaking views of the fleuve and the stately town of Lachine, a fine spot for a recharging rest taking in an autumn sunset.
Mark Hamilton
Mark Hamilton is the community director for QueerMTL, an internationally-touring musician with his projects Woodpigeon and Frontperson and a graduate studies student of history researching LGBTQ+ activism in the city. He’s lived in Montréal since 2015, during which time he’s most often spotted atop a BIXI bike usally running a few minutes late.