Montcalm: Nature Trails and Active Discovery

Montcalm offers plenty of reasons to spend time outdoors: interpretive trails wind through nature, the Corridor aérobique invites you to enjoy a range of activities, and a climbing site adds to the mix. When planning your vacation, you can choose whether you’d rather explore the trails, go cross-country skiing in winter, climb, or include a cultural activity.

Trails, Wildlife and Lookouts

The municipal network of interpretive trails includes three trails with a total length of more than 8.4 km. Signs highlight the local wildlife and give the trails a special connection to nature. The network was renewed in 2014 and includes new lookouts. If you enjoy noticing more than just the route itself on a walk, you’ll find both exercise and information about wildlife here. The three trails offer different ways to spend time outdoors in Montcalm; together, they extend for more than 8.4 km.

The Jackrabbit Ecological Reserve is also located in Montcalm. Covering 750 hectares, it adds a designated protected area to the destination’s natural character. Along with the wildlife signs and lookouts, it puts the landscape at the heart of your trip. The reserve is another point of interest for anyone who would like to explore Montcalm with a focus on its natural environment.

The Corridor aérobique: Exploring a Former Railway Line

The Corridor aérobique is a 58 km multi-use recreation trail on a former railway line. It is designed for cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing. Its range of uses appeals to travelers who want to spend time outdoors in different ways. Along with Huberdeau and Amherst, Montcalm helped establish three cycling tourism stations along the Corridor.

In Montcalm, the Corridor aérobique has two access points near kilometre 30. Access point 2 offers parking, restrooms, drinking water and food services. These amenities may be useful when planning your outing and choosing where to start in Montcalm. The Corridor is an option for travelers who want to explore a longer route by bike, on foot or on cross-country skis; which activity takes center stage depends on when you travel and what you enjoy.

Winter Cross-Country Skiing and Climbing

Montcalm’s cross-country ski trail is open for free every winter for both skate and classic skiing. It runs from kilometre 29.8 in Montcalm to kilometre 22.9 in Lac-des-Seize-Îles. These two points give you specific reference points for the route. If you’d like to include cross-country skiing in your winter vacation, consider this trail when choosing your activities, and decide between skate and classic techniques.

The Mont Larose–Weir climbing site has long, technical climbing routes. From the parking lot, it’s just a short walk to the site. You must be an FQME member or purchase a day membership to climb. This requirement is part of planning a climbing outing, so check in advance which membership option is right for you. The routes make this site especially appealing if climbing is a major focus of your trip.

A Cultural Touch in Montcalm

The Montcalm art group meets on Monday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the community centre at 33 rue du Lac-Rond Nord. Activities include painting, watercolour painting, drawing and wood carving; participation is free. It offers a different way to spend time in Montcalm than on the trails or at the climbing site. If you’d like to include creative group activities alongside outdoor pursuits, this regular meeting is a specific option to consider when planning your trip.

Tailor your search for a vacation rental in Montcalm to the kind of holiday you want, without having to fit all the activities into a single day’s itinerary.

You can also discover Saint-Jacques as another destination. Other places to explore include Avignon, Beauharnois-Salaberry, Les Îles-De-La-Madeleine, La Jacques-Cartier, Témiscouata, Les Pays-D'en-Haut and Deux-Montagnes.

For the broader travel overview: Quebec.