15 Dog-Friendly Trails Near Montreal, Quebec
Dogs are our best friends. They wait to greet us with wagging tails as soon as we walk through the door. They’re by our sides through thick and thin. A great way for us to give back to our furry sidekicks is to get them outdoors for a run.
Whether you live in Montreal or you’re just visiting, here are 15 of the best dog-friendly trails and parks to explore.
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Angell Woods,
Beaconsfield
Length: Varies
Off-Leash: No
Choose one of the many paths in this old growth forest and take your pooch for a jaunt. Note that part of the woods trails are on private property, so be sure to respect the off-limits signs. After hiking, let your pup run and socialize with the other dogs in the nearby Beaconsfield Dog Park.
Voie Camillien-Houde,
Mont Royal
Length: Varies
Off-Leash: No
Right in Montreal, the summit of Mont Royal is a great place to sit on one of the park benches and lookout over the city–after you’ve taken your best friend for a long walk around the trails, that is. There are lots of historical sites, picnic spots, cafes and even a lake to explore. Then stop for a bite at the snack bar to share with Rover.
Le Sommet,
Oka National Park
Length: 6.7 km loop
Off-leash: No
Drive for an hour from Montreal through fertile farmlands and you’ll arrive at a national park just outside Oka, a small historical village on the north bank of the Ottawa River. Le Sommet is a challenging trail, likely better for bigger breeds, unless your little guy is really energetic.
Calvarie d’Oka,
Oka National Park
Length: 4.4 km return
Off-leash: No
This is a great trail to share some history with your pooch. The Sulpicians created a Stations of the Cross here hundreds of years ago. At the top is a panoramic viewpoint that features three chapels built in the 1740s.
L’Erabliere,
Oka National Park
Length: 1.3 km loop
Off-leash: No
A nice, easy trail to wander through the magnificent maple forest. In the fall, this is a stunning outing. But first, pick up a picnic lunch in Oka, famous for its cheese, originally made by Trappist monks here over 100 years ago. What dog doesn’t love cheese?
Le Sous-Bois,
Frontenac National Park
Length: 3.2 km return
Off-leash: No
Frontenac National Park is located in the Eastern Townships about 250 kilometres from Montreal. Here you will find 40 kilometres of trails varying in difficulty from easy to moderate, but not all are dog friendly, so be sure to follow the trail signs. Put your pooch on a leash and walk him on Le Sous-Bois trail, which weaves its way across the Riviere-aux-Bluets delta.
Le Littoral,
Frontenac National Park
Length: 16 km return
Off-leash: No
Another of the trails in Frontenac that allows dogs, Le Littoral is a long easy trail which has you and Rover winding closely along the shores of Grand Lac St. Francois. If your dog is a water-lover, this is a good one.
Parc Doncaster
Length: 10 km of trails
Off-leash: No
Drive about an hour from Montreal to this park located near Sainte-Adele in the Laurentian Mountains. The Doncaster River runs through the park, creating waterfalls in places. Interpretive signs are scattered throughout.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Length: Varies
Off-leash: No
Only 5 minutes from downtown Montreal, this park is on Ile Sainte-Helene, a little island in the St. Lawrence River. There are ponds, boardwalks, flower gardens with art displays and lots of water vistas—the perfect place for your pooch to stretch her legs. Note: dogs are not allowed at the Jean-Dore Beach area.
Parc du Domaine Vert
Length: Varies
Off-leash: Yes
An hour drive from the city brings you to this multi-purpose park in Mirabel. Dogs are only allowed in the “canine corridor,” a 2-km section on trails 3 and 4 (see the map when you arrive) and only during the summer months. The trails wander through a lovely forest, making them worth the effort.
Bois de Belle-Riviere
Length: Varies
Off-leash: Yes and no
Another regional park in Mirabel, Bois de Belle-Riviere is considered one of Quebec’s most beautiful parks. Here, you will find a grassy dog park, where your furry friend can socialize or rest in the shaded areas. There’s also an extensive trail network where your dog must remain on leash.
Au Diable Vert,
Sutton
Length: Varies
Off-leash: Yes, but must be controlled
Pack your weekend bag and Fido’s bowl of kibbles and drive 1.5 hours to the Eastern Townships where you can stay in one of the rustic cabins (dogs stay for free, but you must register them; maximum of two per lodging). This alpine mountain pasture paradise is perched at an altitude over 300 metres and offers views of the Missisquoi River valley and Vermont’s Green Mountains. There are 12 kilometres of private trails which allows for easy wanders with your pet, or you can access the extensive network of trails at nearby Sentier de L’Estrie.
Notre Dame de Grace Dog Run
Length: A special purpose park
Off-leash: Yes
This large run is right in the city and is the perfect place for your pup to socialize with other dogs and burn off some energy. There’s a separate enclosure for small dogs, a water fountain at the entrance and some shade so your dog can stay hydrated and cool. There’s even a composting program for dog waste to minimize plastic waste. This park gets busy, so if your dog enjoys socializing, it’s an ideal choice.
Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures Dog Park
Length: A special purpose park
Off-leash: Yes
When you’re visiting Quebec City with your pup, this is a must-go-to dog park. There are two fenced spaces, one for big dogs and the other for smaller dogs and puppies. Doggy doo-doo bags are provided to make pick-up easy.
William Bowie Park
Length: A special purpose park
Off-leash: Yes
A fenced-in dog run in Montreal West, close to the Loyola Campus of Concordia University, provides your dog a safe place to run and play with other dogs.
Have you explored Montreal with your dog?
What’s your favourite area?
Comment below!
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