The best trail running near Montréal

Whether you’re looking for a 45-minute run after work or a big weekend adventure with plenty of elevation gain, this guide highlights the best trail running spots near Montréal. For each trail, we’ll tell you the distance from the city, the type of terrain, the elevation gain, the required skill level, and what makes it a must-try. If trail running is brand new to you, start by reading our tips for getting started before you head out.

Trail running right in the city: Montréal’s options

You don’t need a car to hit the trails. The Island of Montréal is home to several networks of wooded trails that are perfect for getting started or staying in shape during the week.

Mont-Royal: the mountain in the city

You can’t talk about trail running in Montréal without starting with the mountain. Behind the paved trails that everyone knows lies a network of wooded paths, single tracks, and dirt trails that climb, descend, and wind through the trees. It’s the ideal spot for your very first trail run.

• Distance from Montréal: You’re already there—accessible on foot, by bike, or by public transit
• Terrain: wooded trails, dirt paths, some roots and rocks, paved sections
• Elevation gain: moderate; you can rack up elevation gain by stringing together the climbs toward the lookout
• Level: beginner to intermediate
• Highlights: no travel required, shade in the summer, perfect for hill intervals or an easy run

Mont-Royal remains a popular spot, so keep an eye out for hikers and cyclists. Stay on the official trails: this protects the mountain and prevents erosion. For more ideas on city runs, our guide to where to run in Montréal complements this one well.

Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park

Located at the western tip of the island, this large nature park offers kilometres of trails through the forest and along the water’s edge. The terrain is fairly rolling, making it an excellent place to increase your distance without straining your legs on steep inclines.

• Distance from Montréal: about a 30-minute drive from downtown, in the Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough
• Terrain: wide dirt and gravel trails, wooded sections, along the river
• Elevation change: low, rolling terrain
• Level: beginner
• Highlights: option for a long loop, beach in the summer, a refreshing natural setting despite the city’s proximity

Other nature parks: Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard and Pointe-aux-Prairies

Montréal’s network of nature parks is full of hidden gems. The Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard Nature Park features forest trails and a marsh with a boardwalk on stilts, while the Pointe-aux-Prairies Nature Park, on the eastern part of the island, alternates between wooded areas, fields, and wetlands.

• Distance from Montréal: 25 to 40 minutes, depending on the park
• Terrain: dirt and gravel trails, wooden boardwalks, mixed forest
• Elevation gain: low
• Level: beginner
• Highlights: tranquility, abundant wildlife, perfect for a family outing or a gentle return to hiking

Mountains less than an hour away

When it’s time to tackle some real elevation gain and feel the mountains in your thighs, a few peaks in the Montérégie and Laurentides regions are just a short drive away.

Mont Saint-Hilaire: the Montérégie classic

The Gault Nature Reserve, on Mont Saint-Hilaire, is probably the most popular mountain destination for Montréalers. Its peaks, including Pain de Sucre and Dieppe, offer splendid views of the plain and the river. It’s a serious playground for tackling elevation gain.

• Distance from Montréal: about 40 minutes by car
• Terrain: rocky trails, roots, technical sections on the climbs to the summits
• Elevation gain: significant, with sustained climbs to the lookouts
• Level: intermediate to advanced
• Highlights: true peaks, memorable panoramic views, exceptional protected natural environment

Note: The reserve enforces strict rules to protect the environment, so you must stay on marked trails and check access conditions before setting out. Visitor numbers may be limited on busy weekends.

Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park

Less challenging than its neighbour, Saint-Hilaire, Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park offers a network of wide, well-maintained trails around several lakes. The rolling terrain makes it an excellent choice for trail running without having to tackle intimidating technical sections.

• Distance from Montréal: about 30 to 35 minutes by car
• Terrain: wide dirt and gravel trails, wooded, with some gentle undulations
• Elevation gain: moderate and gradual
• Level: beginner to intermediate
• Highlights: lakes, an old orchard, inviting trails, ideal for a first hike

Oka National Park

Located in the western part of the island, Oka National Park combines forest, Calvary Hill, and a large beach on Lake of Two Mountains. Its trails range from flat lakeside paths to climbs up the hill, allowing you to plan hikes of varying difficulty levels.

• Distance from Montréal: about 45 minutes by car
• Terrain: forest trails, sandy in places; the climb up Calvary Hill is steeper
• Elevation gain: low to moderate depending on the section chosen
• Level: beginner to intermediate
• Highlights: variety of landscapes, swimming in the summer, opportunity to combine distance and elevation gain

Mont Rigaud and the Sentiers de l’Escapade

A little further west, the Sentiers de l’Escapade on Mont Rigaud offer a trail network well-known among trail running enthusiasts. It’s a great balance of distance, elevation gain, and technical challenges, set in a peaceful forest that’s less crowded than national parks.

• Distance from Montréal: about 50 minutes to an hour by car
• Terrain: single tracks, roots, rocks, technical and fun sections
• Elevation gain: moderate to significant depending on the loop
• Level: intermediate
• Highlights: authentic trail atmosphere, less crowded, well-marked network maintained by volunteers

Rivière-du-Nord Regional Park

In Saint-Jérôme, at the gateway to the Laurentides, the Rivière-du-Nord Regional Park follows the gorges and waterfalls of the river of the same name. The spectacular scenery of the roaring water alone is worth the trip, and the trails offer a pleasant mix of flat sections and valleys.

• Distance from Montréal: about a 45-minute drive via Highway 15
• Terrain: dirt and rock-dust trails, sections near the waterfalls, forest
• Elevation gain: low to moderate
• Level: beginner to intermediate
• Highlights: magnificent waterfalls and rapids, extensive trail network, a change of scenery in the Laurentides

Tips for making the most of the trails

A little preparation makes all the difference when you go from pavement to the forest. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your runs go smoothly.

Get off to a good start

• Start with rolling terrain like Cap-Saint-Jacques or Mont-Saint-Bruno before tackling the rocky peaks of Saint-Hilaire
• Slow down: on trails, you run for the effort, not the time—especially on climbs, where walking is perfectly normal
• Look a few metres ahead of your feet to anticipate roots and rocks
• Focus on duration rather than distance at first, since trail running works the body differently than road running

The season and conditions

From spring to fall, the trails are at their best. In the spring, watch out for mud and wait for the trails to dry out to avoid damaging them. In summer, set out early to beat the heat and bring plenty of water. Fall offers stunning colours but shorter days. In winter, many parks turn into snowshoe trails, and some groomed trails are suitable for winter trail running with crampons.

Access by public transportation

Even without a car, you’re not stuck. Mont-Royal and several nature parks are accessible by metro and bus. For destinations on the outskirts like Saint-Hilaire, Oka, or Saint-Jérôme, check regional bus routes and commuter trains: some lines will take you very close to the starting point, even if you have to finish the journey on foot or by bike.

Trail safety

• Let someone know where you’re going and what time you plan to return
• Bring water, a snack, your fully charged phone, and an extra layer
• Stay on marked trails, both for your safety and to protect the environment
• Check a map of the trail network before you set out, as it’s easy to lose your way at intersections
• Wear the right footwear: trail shoes with good traction make all the difference on wet surfaces and roots

Want to discover even more places to hit the trails across the province? Explore our trail directory to find your next run.

Conclusion

Montréal is much better equipped for trail running than you might think. Between the city’s forests, rolling nature parks, and the Crown Mountains, there’s plenty to keep you busy all season long without ever having to travel far. Start slow, respect the trails, and let nature teach you to run differently. And when you’re ready to put your newfound stamina to the test, check out the race calendar in Québec: several trail running events await you right near the city.