Nature experiences, Outdoor Activities
By Julie GouletAutumn is a stunning and magical season, when nature is dressed in vibrant colors! Whether you’re a regular hiker or just passing through, Rouyn-Noranda’s many hiking trails offer breathtaking, soothing landscapes that are accessible to all. From urban routes to forest walks, there’s something for everyone. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors while admiring the magnificent autumnal tones. Discover the thousand and one wonders that reveal themselves with each step. Here are a few ideas for trails to explore or rediscover this autumn, in and around the city.
Photo credit: Michel Lessard / Collines Kekeko
CITY TRAILS
Parc botanique À Fleur d’eau et jardin géologique / Botanical Garden and geological garden
Created in 1989 by Julienne Cliche, this park in the heart of Rouyn-Noranda is a veritable haven of peace, evolving before our very eyes. Trails wind around Édouard Lake and through gardens and local biodiversity. The trails are flat and about 2 km long. The area is ideal for a relaxing break, with benches to enjoy the scenery. The park’s footpaths allow you to enjoy soothing natural surroundings just a stone’s throw from the city center. The playground modules are a delight for children, and the petanque and baseball fields are a delight for young and old too! The geological garden inside the park provides information on the geology and mining development of the region. Visitors and residents alike often mention it as a favorite.
Photo credit: André Goulet
Sentier pédestre de l’aire récréative Kiwanis Agnico Eagle / Recreation Area hiking trail
Just a few minutes from downtown, this 1.5 km trail runs alongside Noranda Lake (also called Kiwanis Lake because of the beautiful Kiwanis sandy beach). Looking for a short getaway in the heart of nature? It’s a popular spot for city residents for a quick stroll or an energizing break. Leashed dogs are welcome, and access is free. During construction on rue Gamble, access is via avenue Senator.
Photo credit: Arielle Rochon
Sentier polyvalent Osisko / Osisko multi-use trail
This 7.8 km urban trail circles Osisko Lake. It’s a must for walkers, cyclists, skaters and motorized scooters. If you wish, you can add 10.2 km return trips to the north or 4.2 km to the south to vary the routes. Here you can admire the flora and wildlife, including red-necked grebes and ducks, before they fly away. The Promenade Agnès-Dumulon and Parc des Pionniers have been redeveloped as part of the Lac Osisko project. A stop at Collectif Territoire‘s Laboratoire d’Espace Public (Public Space) is a must to discover artistic elements such as the Machine à Parole (Speech Machine) to encourage dialogue, the Empreintes bathymétriques (Bathymetric imprints) to guide visitors, and the Longues-vues (telescopes) for admiring nature. Also dispersed throughout Parc Trémoy are historical interpretation panels, works of art and play modules for children. All free of charge. Psst! On fall weekends, until the Thanksgiving holiday, you can even borrow a bike from RécréOsisko!
Photo credit: Louis Jalbert/RécréOsisko
Sentiers du lac Rouyn /Lac Rouyn Trails
To remain in the city while surrounded by nature, the Lac Rouyn trails offer 32 km of easy to moderate trails. Five summer trails are suggested by the team of volunteers: the bonhommes trail (2 km), the easy loop to see Osisko Falls (5.3 km), the loop along Osisko Creek (4.8 km), the loop to the falls along part of Lake Rouyn (4.9 km) and the Caribou Trail observatory loop (3 km). The wooden figures on the “bonhommes” trail are sure to delight young and old alike. Access is free, and leashed dogs are allowed. We recommend the main parking lot east of Route Osisko (bypass) at Rue Perreault Est.
Video credit: Louis Jalbert / Photos credits: Émilie Laperrière
TRAILS IN RURAL NEIGHBORHOODS
Sentiers des collines D’Alembert / D’Alembert Hills Trails
Located about 15 minutes from Rouyn-Noranda, seven trails wind through the forest. They take you into D’Alembert Hills for a maximum of 7.7 km. With its panoramic views, this natural halt is an ideal getaway for admiring the autumn colors. The hills are dotted with escarpments and streams. There are beaver habitats, small caves, a quartz vein, a fault and rocky scree. Interpretation panels explain the flora and fauna. Trail difficulty ranges from easy to demanding. It’s free and leashed dogs are allowed.
Photos credits: Geneviève Bolduc
Sentiers pédestres des collines Kekeko et La tour d’observation « Le Nid de l’épervier » (Beaudry) / Kekeko Hills hiking trails and Sparrowhawk’s Nest observation tower
Less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Rouyn-Noranda, the Kekeko Hills are renowned for their variety and beauty. It’s the perfect place to admire the fall colors and diverse panoramas, especially from the “Le Nid de l’épervier” (sparrowhawk’s nest) observation tower. From here, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the surrounding multicolored forests, an unforgettable experience for hikers in search of tranquility and wonder. Some fifteen trails are available, with routes suitable for beginners and experts alike. You’ll admire rock faces, structures and escarpments, a small cave, a large fault, a boreal forest and peat bog setting, streams and more. If you’re looking for a long hike (15.5 km) and are in good physical shape, the TransKekeko is a great choice. Access is free and leashed dogs are welcome!
Photos credits: Alexandra Boulé-Trudel
Sentiers du lac Beauchastel La Randonne-Rit (Beaudry) / Lac Beauchastel trails La Randonne-Rit (the rambler)
This 6 km trail forms a horseshoe shape near Beauchastel Lake. Its flat relief makes it easy to get out and about when you begin hiking with the family. Its central path is very useful, allowing you to adapt the length of your hike. Four parks have been added to enrich your visit, and benches are available along the way. In La Randonne-Rit (the rambler) you can also watch birds and enjoy the calm of the lake. It’s free and leashed dogs are allowed.
Sentier pédestre Opasatica (Montbeillard) / Opasatica hiking trail
Located 28 km from Rouyn-Noranda, in a picturesque natural setting, the Opasatica hiking trail is often a favorite with hikers. It’s called the trail, but in fact, three parallel trails offer different levels of difficulty, as well as several accesses and exits. The total length of the three trails is 12 km, but the length from one end to the other is about 5 km. The site offers some fifteen breathtaking views over the region and is an excellent option for a quiet getaway in the heart of nature. This is one of Abitibi-Témiscamingue’s exceptional old-growth forest ecosystems. The trail lies on a 1.1-billion-year-old geological formation that juts out into Lac Opasatica. There are cliffs and numerous observation points, all of which are secured by ramps. If you’re lucky, you might even bump into the trail’s founder, the friendly José. Access is free, and dogs on leashes are welcome!
Photo credit: Michel Lessard
Sentiers de la Yol (Arnfield) / Yol trails
The many panoramas offered by the La Yol trails are exceptional. From the summit of Mont Lion, you can see the Kekeko Hills and Mont Chaudron, among others. The 8.2 km trail network ranges from easy to very demanding. It is not recommended for use on rainy days, as some areas are slippery. Some passages may require the use of walking sticks. The Mount Kanasuta area carries various Algonquin spiritual meanings, having been a major river traffic corridor for the Algonquins. Access is free and leashed dogs are allowed.
Sentiers de la zone récréotouristique de Rollet / Rollet recreational area trails
This magnificent site allows you to immerse yourself in autumn nature. The easy to moderate trails take you through deciduous and coniferous forests in a striking mix of colors. Lovers of light hiking and leisurely walking will appreciate the beauty of this area, especially in autumn.
Photos credits: Comité des loisirs de Rollet
Parc national d’Aiguebelle (Mont-Brun) / National Park of Aiguebelle
National Park of Aiguebelle is a favorite destination for hiking enthusiasts, thanks to its exceptional panoramas and stunning views of autumn flora and fauna. For families, La Castorière (beaver field) (1 km) and Le Petit-Nomade (2.5 km) offer easy loops, perfect for walking with children or dogs on a leash. Adventurous hikers will be delighted by La Loutre (The Otter) (4 km) or L’Élan (The Moose) (1 km), both intermediate trails offering impressive views of the surrounding countryside. For more experienced hikers, L’Escalade (climbing) and Mont-Dominant offer more demanding challenges, with breathtaking views over the region. The daily access permit is easy to obtain on the SEPAQ website and is free for those aged 17 and under. Until mid-October, the park also offers activities such as camping and watercraft rental. Abijévis camping and Étoile ready-to-camp sites offer comfortable facilities to extend your wilderness experience. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Aiguebelle promises an unforgettable stay.
Photo credit: Stephan Savard | © SEPAQ
Fall is the perfect time to explore the trails in and around Rouyn-Noranda. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a novice, each trail offers enchanting scenery and moments of serenity in the heart of nature. What’s your favorite trail? Which landscapes tempt you? Don’t hesitate to capture unforgettable memories and share your beautiful hiking photos! To find out more about available trails, activities and resources, the Access to Outdoors website is an excellent reference. Put on your hiking boots, breathe in the fresh air and get ready for adventure!
