Lac Hertel in the Gault Nature Reserve, with a sandy shore in the foreground and forested summits of Mont Saint-Hilaire rising across the still water under a clear sky

Day escape / Mont-Saint-Hilaire (Montérégie)

Réserve naturelle Gault (Mont Saint-Hilaire)

THE FALL COLOURS DETOUR

McGill's nature reserve: four summits over Lac Hertel and the best leaf-peeping day trip from the city.

From home: 50 min drive; 45.1 km. Walk 591 min
Spend: $$$$; est. $8.96 per person
Our dates: Open all 4 days; Give it half day (Pain de Sucre is about 1h45 per official page, plus travel)

The verdict

If the weather is dry, this is the one excursion worth leaving Montréal for in mid-October: a real climb to a lake lookout, for about nine dollars. Go on Tuesday to Thursday if you can, because Monday is a holiday and the trails are likely crowded. Buy the ticket online before you go, since there is no on-site sale for adults. You need a car or a ride, and I could not source a transit option, so budget half a day or more.

Open every day of the year per the official site
Pain de Sucre summit is a sourced 5.4 km loop with Lac Hertel views
Cheap: 8.96 CAD adult daily access

Why maybeStrong fit for fall colours, but needs transport out of the city, online ticket, and decent weather; transit and drive time not verified.

Vibe check

low key/chill

Best forfall colours, a half-day hike

What it costs

$$$$Est. $8.96 / person

Adult daily access 8.96 CAD before taxes, online only; 17 and under free. Parking/food not priced.

From a published source. Québec purchases carry the 5% federal GST plus the 9.975% Québec Sales Tax (QST, TVQ in French): 14.975% combined on taxable items. Tourisme Montréal: it is customary to tip restaurant servers, taxi drivers and hairdressers 15% of the bill, before taxes. Bellhops, porters and doormen generally get at least $2 per bag or service; coffee and food counters often have a tip cup by the register.

On our dates

Daily, trails 8am-6pm (March to November); reception pavilion 9am-4pm

Mon 12Open8am to 6pm
Tue 13Open8am to 6pm
Wed 14Open8am to 6pm
Thu 15Open8am to 6pm

Thanksgiving MondayOfficial pages state the reserve is open every day of the year; no Action de grâce-specific notice found. Standing statement only, confirm with info.gault@mcgill.ca.

Full week

Mon	8am to 6pm
Tue	8am to 6pm
Wed	8am to 6pm
Thu	8am to 6pm
Fri	8am to 6pm
Sat	8am to 6pm
Sun	8am to 6pm

Trail hours 8-18 apply in the March-November period. Early or late arrivals relative to the ticket are refused.

Hours from the venue's own listing, checked Oct 8, 2026.

Is it worth it?

Yes for fall colours if you have a car and a dry day; otherwise skip in favour of Mont Royal.

Best time: Weekday morning after 8am
Time needed: Half day including travel; Pain de Sucre about 1h45 on trail
Cost: 8.96 CAD adult before taxes, online only; 17 and under free
Trail: 5.4 km
Climb: 281 m
Weather: Outdoor only; no sourced rain policy. Tickets are non-refundable, so check the forecast first.
This season: October falls in the March-November 8am-6pm trail hours; 25 km trail network, four summits.