Reviews of Gault Nature Reserve of McGill University (University)

N G

Lovely tranquil park. Easy family hikes, lovely scenery. You have to book in advance. Keep an eye out for one of the many deer.

Yuzhou Yan

Scenic trails with absolutely breathtaking scenery by the lake and at the summit (see pics). The hike isn't hard, but it's probably a long one depending on which route you opt for. I recommend the route "Pain de sucre" for a bird's-eye view of the small town Mont-Saint-Hilaire - you can even see Montreal afar if the weather is pleasant! $9 entrance fee per person. Don't worry if you arrive a little later than the time designated for the ticket. The lady at the entrance will be lenient. (Photos taken on October 13, 2021)

shanay penner

Beautiful beautiful hike. Trails are very accessible and clearly marked. Range of grades for all ages and difficulties. Several different viewpoints with 180° gaze. Would highly recommend. Don't forget to book online ahead of time though!

Laura D

I've been twice now, and every time, I leave with a different experience! For non-residents, remember to book your visit by buying your tickets online in advance. A park employee scans the ticket barcodes before letting you through to the free on-premise parking. The park is well maintained and offers a variety of trails towards different view points, so every visit can feel different. There are bathrooms on-site at the base of the mountain as well as park benches and random seating areas. The trees provide generous shade so that you're not left baking out in the sun. Make sure the path intensity is something you're okay with... I'm not exactly sure if there are easy paths available to hikers.

Kevin Yo

This was the most satisfying hike I've done. Walking up the mountain was a pain but it is so rewarding. Path I took was Pain de Sucre.

David

Nice place to hike , wonderful views from the peak mountain, I went first to the wrong address given by google if you use the French name of the reserve « Mont Saint Hilaire » The address (Plus code J3G 4S6 given by google gives you 2 …

Michael Ryan

What a nice site, clean, easy access. Even had deer pass by me 10 feet away!

Huvie Joe

It was a lil bit spicy! We took the Rocky Rouge trail 8.3km up and down???????????? but very much worth it that view on top was so Great!!!!!!????⛰

Richard Williams

Great place to go hiking...Alone or with friends and family...Many different Trails to follow....It feel like such an Accomplishement when you get to the TOP any of the Summits ???? …

A P

Beautiful.

Education AOE

A little bit of hiking and effort to climb the montain but worth it when you arrived at the top

Jimmy A

Trails are well indicated and we'll maintained. You do need to reserve ahead of time now and plan ahead, we needed to reserve almost a week before our planned visit to get the entrance time slot we wanted (10am). Great hike, great views! Really enjoyable morning!

Kendra Sugerman

Beautiful and peaceful hiking spot.

Roop Kaur

Beautiful, well maintained trails based on the difficulty you prefer. And what a view. ???? ???? ???? Will be coming back soon

Rozanne DH

Very beautiful view, long distance hiking, make sure to bring water with you, also some light snacks if you want to make a little stops for break. I really enjoyed the hiking. The view is amazing from the top of the mountain. I recommend it so much for people who loves hiking and able to walk long distance.

cain Kuri

Very nice place. There is a lake and places to sit there and eat. The view at the top is amazing. Quiet and calm. Very friendly staff.

Luying Yang

Beautiful view!! The construction of the city is very new, and it feels like a land of idyllic beauty. Hiking is also fun, just right for someone like me who wants to adequately exercise but isn't very skillful in climbing.

Ria V Koch

Spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon hiking in this gem of a nature reserve. Hike is relatively easy and the view on the top is rewarding! We will definitely be back!

Chris O'Regan

The paths are clearly marked and are a good hike. It is an intermediate incline just getting from the parking lot to the welcome centre. I climbed Sugarloaf yesterday and the peak seemed like a kilometre of stairs. Very well kept, though. Stones were placed to make the steps manageable. It is a lovely hike if you can keep your breath up.

Claire Lu

One of my favorite hikes near Montreal! The view was breathtaking, the hike was slightly challenging but very rewarding. I took the Pain de Sucre trail and was speechless by how beautiful the scenery was. We spotted deers up close as well!! Definitely worth it! 10/10!!

Melinda Rahmayanti

Nice hike, not too hard, we took the Rocky Rouge trail, continue to Dieppe, then returned through the Rocky Blue path, it was about 4 hours in total. The view from the top: surrounding towns and cities, the river, we could even see Montreal skyscrapers and its olympic stadium far away (yes zoomed in). We went to see Lac Hertel as well, pretty nice to have picnic by the water, but no swimming allowed. Daily pass is $8, must buy online in advance, better come early otherwise there's too many people and traffic.

Saranaz Mohammadi

Wonderful hiking trails accessible by all ages. Long or short walks through the mountains, sliding down the paths at your own desire when its too slippery to walk down, beautiful view at the top and great directions to finding your way back down to the parking. Given covid everyone seems to be mindful of social distancing, not sure if bathrooms are available during confinement. To revel in the beauty of nature as it is, is to allow the beauty of life to bless you with new insights and reconnect through the power of natures elements. Sure to find some wisdom through the contemplative introspection it can awaken within. Surrender to the beauty and feel the shining vibration of your heart balance itself out

CAI GAN XIAN Lucas

Great place to hike the whole year. Winter summer spring fall. You name it. Not far from Montreal. The park is very well preserved. My only negative point is that it is too crowded. And a lot of people does not follow the simple rules.

Adventlust20 Vaylen

Trail tracks well defined. Two nice elevated view points. Also one track for a family light trail activity

Eric Hebert

Will always be one of my favorite kicking spots in the world. Nice easy paths with killers views at the end.

Rolando Medina

Amazing view. A bit of a challenging hike but so worth it. Will definitely come back here.

Nicoleta Isac

I was there recently. The view is breathtaking. I highly recommend it as a active family or friends outing ????

Calin Giurgiu

Gorgeous. Too bad that during the foliage season it gets crazy crowded.

SJ Lee

Mature and beautiful forest! Lookout from the summit is breath taking. Many different trails to choose from but I find it confusing ????. Still love every bit of my time there. You can buy day pass online before going. Looking forward to go back when I can.

Julien

Nice park, well maintained. Nothing negative to note, it's just that for us even the hardest trail was too easy. Nice place overall but not much of a challenge.

SONA LAKHOYAN

The Gault Nature Reserve of McGill University protects 1,000 hectares of primeval forest in the St. Lawrence Valley. Situated at Mont-Saint- Hilaire ! Nature , mountain,lake ! All levels . Not dangerous ! You can just go for a pick nick on the lake! Reserve in advance !

Danielle Birchstream

Amazing place for easy hiking or trail running (you can do 4 summits, distance will be approximately 11-12km and you’ll get over 500m elevation gain). There’s an option also to do shorter trails if preferred. Toilets in the beginning of trail. Necessary to buy a ticket beforehand ~$6.

Marjolaine G

Really close to Montreal. The trails are quite accessible for all and there are a variety of trails which can be done (ranging from short loops of 20 mins to 4 hour loops). …

van cohance

Visited last summer. Not too far from Montreal, ideal place for hiking, have a nice trip with friends there. Staffs there were very kind.

Hassan Rezaee

Great place for a 2-3 hour hike near Montreal. The view on top is just great.

Richard Keith Lebon

Amazing place to relax and enjoy nature.

Andreanne B

Beautiful hike, most of it under tree cover. It is a nature reserve, so you aren't allowed to go in the water.

Winncie

Fantastic place for hiking, not too far from Montreal. Great views at the top. Some spots are rocky, muddy and even slippery but it's all part of the hiking experience. I thoroughly appreciate the one-way direction for the trails, and I hope they keep this even after the pandemic.

Viki Chen

Great place for family! It’s better bring a garbage bag because no place for waste in the trails.

Jean-luc Lafond

Nice place, terrain is a bit on the easy side to climb. A lot of people on the trail.