• Connections Program
• Private local transportation
• 3 nights of accommodation 
• 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners
• Local professional guides & all other entry fees and passes 
• Services of an active DeNure Tours tour director

Prices are in Canadian dollars, are per person, and include HST.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS 

• 7 walks/hikes
• Brock Railway Tunnel
• Guided tour of Rideau Hall (if possible)
• Haunted Walking Tour of Ottawa
• Tour of the Mackenzie King Estate

Hiking & History

Talk about hidden gems!  Nestled in the forest are historic ruins tied to an inventor and pioneer in the electrochemical industry and historic sites related to Canada’s 10th Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. Discover the interesting nuggets of Canadian history behind the landmarks while hiking and enjoying the natural beauty the of Outaouais region.

A Fun Active Getaway

Enjoy fun, interesting things to do with the company of like-minded travellers. Walk Canada’s first railway tunnel. Originally constructed between 1854 and 1860, it is beautifully restored into a walkable, living gallery that captures the spirit of Brockville’s history and innovation. Enjoy a haunted walking tour of Ottawa, with lanterns to light the way, and ghostly tales adding mystery and intrigue to the city’s historic buildings.

Stress-Free Travel 

With every detail expertly handled, you’ll be free to focus on what matters most: exploring beautiful scenic forest trails, connecting with fellow travellers, and having a fun, short departure from the ordinary.

Day 1: Travel to Gatineau, Brock Railway Tunnel, and Rideau Hall

Relax aboard the coach as you travel eastward. After stopping for lunch, visit the historic Brock Railway Tunnel, Canada’s first railway tunnel. Now beautifully restored, it offers a fascinating opportunity to step back in time and experience the history and innovative spirit that shaped Brockville. Continue to Rideau Hall to stroll through the gardens and enjoy a guided tour (if available) of the residence. From there, it’s a short drive to the hotel. After check-in, the evening is yours to relax and explore at your leisure.

August Stay: Hilton Lac Leamy, Gatineau, QC (3 nights)

October Stay: Holiday Inn, Gatineau, QC (3 nights)

Day 2: Hiking in Gatineau Park, Haunted Walking Tour of Ottawa (Hikes #1 to #4)

After breakfast, depart for Gatineau Park and hike to the Wattsford Lookout.  After enjoying the view, hike to the town of Chelsea, where several options for lunch await.  In the afternoon, enjoy a beautiful hike to the Carbide Willson Ruins and waterfall.  Arrive back at the hotel to freshen up.  Be sure to have comfortable walking shoes, as after dinner, you’ll set out on an evening haunted walking tour of Ottawa.

Meals: B, D

Day 3: Pink Lake & Wakefield Hiking (Hikes #5, #6 & #7)

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then we’ll get an early start to some lovely hikes in Gatineau Park.  Begin with Pink Lake, an exquisite turquoise lake with a lookout that offers beautiful views, especially in autumn. Then on to Wakefield, to walk an easy loop that crosses the Gatineau River over the historic Gendron Bridge.  After lunch in Wakefield, continue to the Mackenzie King Estate Falls Trail, former Prime Minister Mackenzie King's favorite nature walk, and enjoy the view from the Lauriault lookout. Arrive back at the hotel in time to freshen up for a well-deserved dinner.

Meals: B, D

Day 4: Mackenzie King Estate, Homeward

After breakfast, check out of the hotel, and visit the estate of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s 10th and longest-serving Prime Minister. Enjoy a guided tour and explore the grounds and trails of this special place in the heart of Gatineau Park. We’ll head back to Ottawa’s Byward Market for lunch, and then begin the journey homeward, relaxing on the coach after a full, interesting getaway, enjoying nuggets of Canadian history and the seasonal, natural beauty of Gatineau. 

Meals: B

DAY 2

1.  Gatineau Park:  Wattsford's Lookout

(A1+ to A2/Easy to Moderate - 3.8km) 

The trail provides a perfect forest nature walk, that climbs gradually to the lookout.  The reward is a beautiful view of the south of the park.

2.  Gatineau Park:  Hike to Chelsea

(A1+ to A2/Easy to moderate – 4.8km) 

After taking in the views at the lookout, follow the forest trail (#1), that descends to the nearby town of Chelsea.

3.  Gatineau Park:  Carbide Willson Ruins & Falls

(A1/Easy – 3.5km/130m)

Winding through thick forest, this pleasant and easy trail takes hikers along the shores of the Meech Lake and then, nestled in the woods, find the ruins of Carbide Wilson and small, pretty waterfalls.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/quebec/ruines-et-chutes-de-carbide-willson

4.  Original Haunted Walking Tour of Ottawa

(A1/Easy) 

This fun evening walking tour will reveal some of the hidden secrets and tales from Ottawa’s past.

DAY 3

5. Pink Lake Loop via Trail 35

(A1/Easy – 4.2km/133m)

Don’t let the name fool you, this lake is actually a stunning turquoise green. Pink Lake is a meromictic lake, which means that the layers of water don't mix, thus it has an amazing colour and an interesting ecosystem. The trail is a loop with some stairs and boardwalks, offering great views the whole way around.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/quebec/pink-lake-via-trail-35

6. Gatineau River Covered Bridge Loop

(A1/Easy – 4.3km/104m)

This quick loop passes along a pretty pedestrian path, then joins Chemin Edelweiss and crosses to the other side of the shore. On the other side is a park for children, then, following Wakefield Heights Road, you will go to Pont Gendron, a beautiful, historic covered bridge which will take you across the river again and back to Wakefield.

https://www.alltrails.com/fr/randonnee/canada/quebec/boucle-du-pont-couvert-de-la-riviere-gatineau 

7. Mackenzie King Estate:  Lauriault Loop & Waterfall 

(A1/Easy – 3.7km/89m)

The Mackenzie King Estate Falls Trail was former Prime Minister Mackenzie King's favorite nature walk. Sights include Bridal Veil Falls at the end of the Waterfall Trail and a lookout on the Lauriault Trail.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/quebec/boucle-lauriault 

Hiking shoes/boots are recommended. While most of the hiking is easy, there are some steep trail sections of moderate difficulty for which poles might be helpful.

Gatineau Park official trail maps are now georeferenced and available for free through the mobile app Avenza Maps. Using your phone, you can now track your position in the park at any time, even if there is no cellular signal:

1. If you don't already have it, download the Avenza Maps on your device (via the App Store® or Google Play StoreTM) and set up your free account.
2. While logged into the app, import from the Avenza store, the free map of Gatineau Park, Summer.

Hiking Difficulty & Alternatives 

Hikes may involve uneven terrain, inclines, and extended walking. While we walk at a leisurely pace (3 to 3.5 km an hour based on terrain), it is important that the group stays together. Depending on the weather and trail conditions, hikes may be changed or abbreviated. Participation is at your discretion, and travellers are encouraged to assess their own abilities. In consultation with the tour director, guests may choose to not join a hike or amend a hike.  In some cases, alternative self-guided options may be taken, though this option is not always available.