Oka National Park

Known as Paul-Sauvé Park until June 21, 1990, in tribute to this former Quebec premier well-remembered in the Deux-Montagnes region, Oka National Park stands out for the exceptional richness of its historical heritage combined with remarkable biodiversity for a territory located just 35 minutes from Montreal. The Calvary of Oka, the historical centerpiece of the park, constitutes a unique infrastructure in North America: this Way of the Cross, erected beginning in 1742 and composed of four oratories and three chapels arranged on the hill of the same name, was first a pilgrimage site frequented by Indigenous communities before being abandoned by them from 1877 onwards, then becoming a place of non-Indigenous Catholic devotion until the 1970s, after which it gradually fell into obscurity. From the summit of the Calvary trail, an exceptional view opens onto Lake of Two Mountains and the Adirondack Mountains in the distance, rewarding visitors who have climbed the hill in both summer and winter. On the natural side, the park is home to one of Quebec's most important heron colonies, as well as exceptional wetlands in the Grand Bay and Serpent River sectors, where land and water meet to create ecosystems of great ecological richness. The park also offers over 35 kilometres of mechanically groomed cross-country skiing trails and a cycling corridor of more than 40 kilometres called La Vagabonde, connecting the protected territory to surrounding municipalities.