Gatineau Park

Established in 1938 under the National Capital Commission, Gatineau Park stretches across more than 361 square kilometres of forests, lakes and Appalachian hills, creating an exceptional green space in close proximity to the urban centres of Gatineau and Ottawa. The park stands out for its extensive and diverse year-round recreational offerings: in winter, its 250 kilometres of trails make it North America's largest cross-country skiing destination, while summer brings visitors in great numbers for hiking, cycling and swimming, particularly at five public beaches located at Meech, La Pêche and Philippe lakes. The territory is also home to the historic Mackenzie King Estate, the former summer residence of Canada's tenth prime minister, now open to the public and surrounded by English-style landscaped gardens that reflect this statesman's passion for horticulture and picturesque architecture. The park's rich biodiversity, representative of southern Quebec's Appalachian ecosystems, also makes it a prime destination for bird watching, while its cycling network connects seamlessly with the Trans Canada Trail, linking the park to an even more extensive system of trails spanning the entire national capital region.