Around North Hatley, there are four great spots for fall hiking: the private forest trails at Station Chêne Rouge, Scowen Park—within walking distance of the village—the Massawippi Trail and its beach, and the Tomifobia Nature Trail along the old railroad tracks. Here’s how to choose, just 1 hour and 30 minutes from Montreal.
It starts right at your doorstep: 4 km of private trails
At Station Chêne Rouge, the trails start right at the lodgings: 4 km through the forest, on a 35-acre property reserved for guests and members. In October, a morning walk through the mist, when the maple trees are ablaze with color, requires neither a car nor a parking spot. It’s also the ideal setting for forest bathing, the slower version of hiking.
Scowen Park: The Village Classic
On Capelton Road, within walking distance of downtown North Hatley, the Massawippi Trail in Scowen Park offers about 2 km of family-friendly loops through a beautiful forest. It’s perfect for a one-hour outing between a coffee stop and a visit to the pier.
Massawippi Trail: The Secret Beach
In Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, on the other side of the lake, the trail developed by the Massawippi Foundation stretches 14 km through the forest. The George Loop (3 km) is family-friendly, and a long wooden staircase leads down to a beach on Lake Massawippi. In the fall, the view of the water through the colorful foliage is worth the trip on its own.
Tomifobia Nature Trail: A Gentle Long-Distance Hike
From Ayer’s Cliff to Stanstead, 19 km along the old Canadian Pacific Railway line: a gravel surface with almost no elevation gain—perfect for walking or biking. This is the ideal outing for days when you want to cover a long distance without any climbing.
And for legs that want more
Mont-Orford National Park is 25 minutes away, with its mountain peaks and scenic views of the region. Our fall foliage calendar helps you pick the right weekend, andthe 48-hour itinerary for North Hatley packs it all into a full weekend.
After the hike: a heated pool open until at least mid-October, a private campfire, and dinner in the village. Members of the country club come for day hikes thanks to free Dayclub access—as often as the leaves change color. Chêne Rouge Station, North Hatley: 4.9 out of 5 based on over 1,200 reviews.
Scowen Park (2 km, within walking distance of the village), the 4 km of private trails at Station Chêne Rouge, the Massawippi Trail operated by the Massawippi Foundation (14 km, with a beach), and the Tomifobia Nature Trail (19 km, flat).
Generally from late September to mid-October, with a peak in the first half of October, depending on the year.
Scowen Park, the Massawippi Trail, and Tomifobia are open to the public. The 4 km of trails at Station Chêne Rouge are reserved for guests and members.
Yes, on most public trails, on a leash. At Station Chêne Rouge, dogs are welcome in several units.
