The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Parc National Des Îles-De-Boucherville

The surface is paved the whole way, so you can walk, jog or cycle without worrying about mud or rough ground. You will pass riverside parks, old neighbourhoods with historic streets and shops, and heritage sites that are worth a stop.

The Sanctuary of Saint Marguerite d’Youville honors the founder of the Grey Nuns and Canada’s first native-born saint. Born on this site in 1701, Marguerite d’Youville devoted her life to helping the poor and marginalized, leading to her canonization in 1990. The complex features a permanent exhibition housing historical artifacts, archival documents, and stained-glass displays detailing her inspirational legacy.

The park's name comes from local landowners who ceded their land so the town could turn it into a municipal park, according to the Quebec government's toponymy register. It stretches over a kilometre along the riverfront and covers roughly 35 hectares. You'll find a boat launch ramp, play structures, picnic tables, a kite-flying area, a tourist welcome office, and an outdoor skating surface in winter.

The Lupine Field is a seasonal natural attraction located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. You can see it at its most beautiful when the lupins are in bloom, typically from late May to early July. Tall spikes of purple, blue, and pink flowers rise above distinctive palm-shaped leaves, making the plants easy to recognize. Although lupins are now a familiar sight in the region, they are not native to eastern Canada and were introduced from other parts of the world.

The wetlands of Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies are among the park’s most important natural features, providing habitat for a wide variety of plants and wildlife. There are boardwalks and trails that pass through marshes and the edges of forest, and it’s a beautiful area of the park where you’ll spot lots of birds, amphibians, and the park’s resident white-tailed deer.

Bois de la Réparation is a protected woodland section within the more expansive Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies. Historically, it was one of several separate regional parks in Montréal’s east end before being incorporated into the larger nature park, helping to preserve the mature forest habitat and ecological diversity. Its peaceful wooded trails are perfect for a quiet walk to appreciate nature, watch for deer, marmots, and other wildlife and immerse yourself in one of the city’s last remaining natural forests.

Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies is a beautiful 261-hectare urban nature park nestled at the eastern tip of Montréal Island, and is the second largest in the city. The park protects forests, marshes, meadows, and shoreline habitats, and is a popular place for wildlife observation and outdoor recreation. There is an extensive trail network throughout the grounds that offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling, birdwatching, or simply enjoying nature year-round.

All along the Parc de la Promenade-Bellerive are fantastic views of the St. Lawrence River, a lively hub for recreation and commerce. The river connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean and is lined with waterfront parks, rapids, and ferries.