This travel blog post about our stay in Mont-Tremblant National Park is part of an 8-day road trip in the Laurentians.
We'd advise you to spend at least 3 days there if you can, to get the most out of nature and take part in the activities offered by Mont-Tremblant National Park. It's an absolutely magnificent park with a protected natural environment that occupies part of the southern Laurentians. The site lends itself to camping, glamping, and superb forest walks. We can't wait to share all this with you, along with lots of practical advice to help you plan your next trip to the Laurentians and Mont-Tremblant National Park.
After our unforgettable stay in the heart of the forest at the Kanatha-Aki activity centre, it was only after a 45-minute drive that we entered Mont-Tremblant National Park. There are 5 access points to the park. We chose to explore the Laurentian side of the park via the La Diable sector. We'll be staying there for 2 days / 1 night.
The video starts at 5min50s.
And here's the map of this summer road trip itinerary in the Laurentians. The 6 stages (in blue) of the 8 days of discoveries, experiences and sometimes unusual accommodation in the heart of nature can be found on this interactive map.
You can also check out the full itinerary of our 6-stop Laurentian road trip this summer. We also visited the Laurentians last autumn during a road trip in Quebec.
Hiking and marsh safaris in the heart of Mont-Tremblant National Park
Tremblant Hotels is a comprehensive website that showcases a selection of exceptional accommodations in Mont Tremblant. Whether you're seeking a cozy bed and breakfast, a luxurious resort, or a convenient hotel, Tremblant Hotels offers a variety of options to suit your preferences. Discover the best accommodations in the area and plan your stay through Tremblant Hotels on mont-tremblanthotel.com.
1. Hiking in Mont-Tremblant National Park
There are a number of signposted trails at all levels, so you can immerse yourself in nature without worrying about getting lost. As soon as we checked in at the park reception desk, we were off in our trainers on the Roche trail.
It's a fairly easy 2-hour trail, 2.5 km uphill on the outward journey and 2.5 km downhill on the return, which takes us from the outskirts of the discovery centre to a lookout point at the top of a mountain bordering Lac Monrœ. En route, we walk along a stream in the middle of a forest. The atmosphere is bucolic and there are no difficulties apart from the fact that it climbs from start to finish.
The little islands in the lake look really cute from above! The panoramic view of Lake Monrœ and its islets from the finish is well worth the climb, don't you think?
To make the most of this beautiful view, plan on a 2-hour round trip and bring good hiking boots, because if the atmosphere is damp, the ground can become slippery or even muddy. Depending on the weather, you should also bring a rain cape and jumper, or a cap and sun cream if it's hot and sunny. Of course, don't forget your little rucksack with all this, water, a small first-aid kit and your camera, so you can immortalise this wonderful hike.
2. Marsh safari in Mont-Tremblant National Park
Back to Lake Monroe.
The teams at Mont-Tremblant National Park offer a host offun activities based on nature and the wild animals that inhabit the park, which is managed by the Sepaq. We tried one out: a canoe safari in the marshes of Mont-Tremblant National Park at dusk. The aim: to get as close as possible to the animals.
The lake is home to up to 200 different species of birds! The weather was very capricious again today, with a thunderstorm in the air. We witnessed this sublime spectacle (see photo above) just before the arrival of a heavy downpour, just as we were wondering whether the discovery activity was going to take place.
Just before sunset, we finally set off in canoes with a guide to discover the wild animals of the Lake Monroe marshes. We were a small group of around ten people. All generations were represented. It was great fun!
We paddled for around 2 hours, each at our own pace, always accompanied by a guide, among the water lilies, watched by the deer and birds that surprised us with every stroke of the paddle.
It was such a beautiful sight that even though the weather didn't really work in our favour, delaying the start of the excursion (and we came very close to having it cancelled), we still managed to sail for almost 2 hours. This marsh safari was possible because the whole group got into the water (ha-ha!) by mutual agreement between participants and guide. And we have no regrets, quite the contrary. If the sky had been too blue, we certainly wouldn't have had the same atmosphere, the same colours and the same reflections.
Once again, we had to play with the clouds and the rain, but what does it matter when the nature to be observed is so beautiful!
In any case, this activity was one of the highlights of our road trip in the Laurentians. It's a great experience that you too can enjoy on your own, as a duo or with your family, whether you're a beginner or not. And it's easy. There's no current. One family was there the day we visited, and the children were in the canoe with their parents. There are no worries about safety, and everyone wears their lifejackets.
You can also go canoeing and kayaking on the lake during the day, enjoy an evening by the fire and get caught up in the myths and legends of the park and do lots of other activities, but it's getting dark for us and it's time for dinner and bed.
More information on the Mont-Tremblant of Parc National du Mont-Tremblant.
3. Chalet EXP: Unusual, comfortable accommodation in Mont-Tremblant National Park
Tonight we're sleeping in the heart of Mont-Tremblant National Park. We're testing out a new type of accommodation: Chalet EXP. It's a way of immersing yourself in the heart of nature with all the modern comforts. You stay in touch with nature throughout your stay, even in your accommodation.
As is always the case in Canadian parks, there's a wooden table and a fireplace to build a fire outside. Unfortunately, it was the rain that took it away that evening. Instead, we're going to tell you about the interior, which begins at the entrance with a large veranda terrace overlooking the pine forest, complete with barbecue and sun loungers.
Then, through a sliding glass door, you enter a living room with a fully equipped kitchen. There's electricity and even a fridge, sink and running water! The EXP chalet also has 2 comfortable mattresses and a bathroom with a hot shower and toilet. Sheets and pillows with pillowcases are provided. And let's not forget the wood-burning stove and the very modern thermostat system for regulating temperature and humidity, making your stay even more comfortable.
All you need to bring is your food, your change of clothes, your towels and toiletries, your sleeping bags and any meat bags you may need. Everything else is provided on site.
What we really loved: the contemporary, spacious feel of the chalet, the dimmer switch for the lighting so you can create your own atmosphere at any time of the evening, and the really cosy living environment, although let's not forget, we're really immersed in the heart of nature. Last but not least, the car isn't far away and you can transport your belongings in a large wheelbarrow, which is really very practical.
We slept in the EXP chalet "Presqu'île" on the shores of Lake Monrœ in the Grenouillère sector. The other 4 chalets ("Riverain", "Affluent", "Marais" and "Littoral") were identical and all very well located in the middle of the forest with a small view of the lake through the huge pine trees. Each chalet sleeps 2 people. The price is affordable, at around 95 euros plus VAT per night ($139 CAD).
For those who wish to immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Mont Tremblant Village, there are several hotels available that provide easy access to the village's charming shops, restaurants, and activities. Whether you prefer a boutique hotel, a family-friendly resort, or a cozy inn, Mont Tremblant Village Hotels offers a range of options to ensure a delightful and convenient experience during your stay.
Mont-Tremblant National Park also offers a wide choice of other accommodation. What we like is that there's something to suit every budget. Tents, caravans and camper vans, but also unusual accommodation such as the yurt, the refuge, the Huttopia ready-to-camp tent or the traditional chalet, not forgetting the EXP chalet.
The sites are all very well laid out, respectful of and in harmony with nature. Depending on the type of accommodation you choose, you'll need to bring your own equipment.
After a beautiful hike along the Roche trail to its lookout point and a rainy but happy evening on a marsh safari on Lake Monroe at sunset, we had the pleasure of testing out a night in an EXP chalet, an unforgettable "EXPérience" that shows that comfortable immersion in Nature is also possible.
Mont-Tremblant National Park in the Laurentians, a park where it's good to live and reconnect with Nature.
The next stage of our road trip in the Laurentians will take us to other unique experiences in the heart of nature. We'll be staying on the banks of the Rivière Rouge in a shepherd's wagon, and kayaking down the river with its red and gold highlights. But that's another great story we're telling you in this new episode of our road trip in the Laurentians.