Gault Nature Reserve of McGill University

mont saint Hilaire is amazing, especially at this time of the year. access fees are well used and the place is well maintained. having such a nice spot so close to Montreal is amazing. highly recommend going during the week as else it gets crowded. they rent crampons if you forget yours, as did my friend. you can even get a hot chocolate when the hike is over.

Good place for exercise in nature! Need to buy ticket online before the hiking. $8 for adult (as st 19.4.2024).
There are 4 trails you can choose.
Nice path all along with a breathtaking scenery when you reached the top (Red route) at 4km. Discouvered creatures like squirrel, deer and black-capped chickadees.

Went for a hike for our friends birthday. Beautiful views. Would def do it again.

Serene , amazing staff , if you are a nature lover , the trails are worth it.

Mont Saint-Hilaire is a serene mountain with an easy route and well-maintained trails. It offers a refreshing and relaxing experience amidst beautiful natural surroundings. With its captivating vistas and tranquil ambiance, it’s an ideal destination for nature lovers seeking a rejuvenating escape.

From Andrew Hamilton Gault: the mountain of St. Hilaire is my most treasured possession, and in offering it to McGill it is with the hope that its beauties and amenities may be preserved for all time to come, not only in the immediate interests of the university itself, but, through its corridors of learning, as a great heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the youth of Canada. wow! who knew you could own a mountain!? 🤷🏽‍♂😂 anywho, it’s a great collection of trails!

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.

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).
The park is very well managed and it’s the perfect location for hiking on hot days because there is a lot of shade from the trees and a nice breeze.
The lake is also great (you can’t swim or fish) to look at or picnic next to.
The views from the viewpoints aren’t very raw or natural but it’s interesting to see Montreal all the way from the peaks.
Overall, definitely worth the trip.

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

Its was such an amazing experience gorgeous view fairly easy to climb in my experience and the staff was pretty friendly.
Highly recommend this place to anyone trying to get away from the city and get some fresh air.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

Very beautiful and an authentic Montreal autumn season experience! Plenty of apple farms/markets within a five minute driving radius to explore after the comfortable hike!

Excellent place for hike with family. We took the orange trail and got to the Burned view point. It was only 2km which was perfect for the kid. We then went back toward the lake for lunch time. 8$ for adult and kids under 17 is free. Parking is free.

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.

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.