Arrival in the Laurentians
The Laurentians unfold like a painted canvas as you drive north from Montreal. Hills rise and fall in gentle rhythm, lakes glimmer between stands of pine, and the air sharpens with altitude. It is here, between Mont‑Blanc and Sainte‑Agathe‑des‑Monts, that the Sentier des Cimes Laurentides has taken root, one of the most extraordinary attractions in Quebec City.
Built on the grounds of a historic fish farm, the site carries the memory of water and landscape into its new life as an ecotourism destination. The transformation feels poetic: a place once devoted to life beneath the surface now invites visitors to ascend into the trees.
The Elevated Boardwalk
This list of offbeat attractions is a mix of tour, places you might stumble into and want to linger for a while. The walkway stretches for 1.35 kilometres, a ribbon of timber and steel that rises gradually to 18 metres above the forest floor. Its slope never exceeds 5.9%, which makes it accessible to strollers, wheelchairs, and anyone who prefers a gentle climb.
As you move along the path, interpretive panels tell stories of the forest, its wildlife, and the heritage of the site. Balance stations invite playful pauses, while the bird house platform offers a moment of intimacy with nature — chickadees sometimes land on open hands, a fleeting connection that lingers long after.
The Observation Tower
At the centre of the experience stands the 39‑metre tower, a spiral ascent that lifts you 12 storeys into the air. The climb is steady, each turn revealing more of the Laurentian landscape until the horizon opens wide. Mont‑Tremblant appears in silhouette, lakes glint like coins scattered in valleys, and the wind reminds you that altitude is never still. The tower is both destination and journey, a place where the forest falls away and the sky becomes part of the experience.
The Suspended Net
Inside the tower, a vast suspended net hangs open at full height. It is daring and contemplative at once. Some visitors run across it, bouncing with laughter, while others lie back, staring down through the mesh at the canopy below. Fear and exhilaration mingle here, the forest reframed as something both fragile and immense. To step onto the net is to surrender to vertigo, to feel the scale of the forest in a way that standing on solid ground never allows.
The Slide
For those who prefer speed to stillness, the 59‑metre treetop slide offers a swift descent. The ride is fast, fun, and filled with spontaneous laughter — a playful counterpoint to the quiet vertigo of the net. Children squeal, adults rediscover joy, and the forest echoes with sound. The slide is not just an exit; it is a punctuation mark, a burst of exhilaration that completes the circuit.
Winter Silence
In winter, the walkway becomes a path through silence. Snow muffles every sound, branches bow under white weight, and the forest feels hushed, almost reverent. The panoramic tower offers views of hills blanketed in snow, the sky a sharp blue above.
At night, Lumagica transforms the trail into a glowing dreamscape, lanterns and sculptures casting shadows that turn the canopy into theatre. Couples wander hand‑in‑hand, families pause at illuminated surprises, and the forest becomes a place of reflection as much as exploration.
Spring Awakening
Spring brings mild light and children’s laughter. Quizzes and games spark curiosity, mascots roam, and hot chocolate warms hands. The forest wakes beneath your feet, buds unfurling, birds returning. The walkway becomes a playground, a place where education and play intertwine. The slide reopens when weather permits, adding a whirlwind of fun to the season.
Summer Vitality
In summer, the forest is alive. Birds dart across the path, ponds shimmer, and families linger in rest areas. The boardwalk feels warm underfoot, the air filled with the scent of pine and earth. Wildlife encounters are more likely, and the forest hums with activity. The experience is vibrant, filled with colour and sound, a celebration of life at its peak.
Autumn Blaze
Autumn sets the hills ablaze in red and gold. Crisp air sharpens every view, and the forest feels both infinite and intimate. The tower becomes a vantage point for foliage, the landscape a mosaic of colour. It is arguably the headline season, a time when the Laurentians reveal their most dramatic face.
Lumagica Nights
When the sun goes down, Lumagica transforms the walkway. Lanterns and glowing sculptures cast shadows that turn the forest into a dreamscape. Married couples wander hand‑in‑hand, families pause at illuminated surprises, and the trail becomes a place of reflection as much as exploration. The experience is immersive, serene, and unforgettable.
Practical Notes
The full circuit — boardwalk, tower, net, slide — takes around 2 hours, though sunset lingers stretch the visit longer. Washrooms are only at the entrance, so plan ahead. Bring a backpack for sweaters and coffee cups — there are no garbage bins along the trail. Parking is ample but paid, around $5. Dogs, bikes, and drones are not permitted.
Photography is welcome, but commercial shoots require authorization. Admission is tiered: adults $29, children $19, seniors $25, students $23, with family passes available.
The Heritage Site
The Sentier des Cimes is rooted in place. Built on the grounds of an old fish farm, it carries the memory of water and landscape into its new life as an ecotourism destination. This grounding gives it a character that purpose‑built adventure parks rarely match. The transformation feels poetic: a place once devoted to life beneath the surface now invites visitors to ascend into the trees.
Beyond the Walkway
Garden paths and ponds extend the visit naturally. Families play giant lawn games — cornhole, Connect 4 — while cyclists connect to the nearby P’tit Train du Nord. The cafeteria in the renovated courtyard offers warmth and food, its patio decorated and illuminated in winter.
The site opens daily from 10:00 to 18:00 Eastern Time and operates year‑round, making it worth considering well outside the summer peak.
A Singular Destination
There are 11 similar towers across Europe, but this is the only one in North America. Each tower is unique, yet the Laurentides site stands apart with its suspended net — a feature that makes it truly special. The highest point rises to 40 metres, the equivalent of a dozen floors, offering views that stretch for miles.
The Sentier des Cimes Laurentides is more than a walkway. It is a place where past and present meet, where forest becomes theatre, and where altitude reframes the scale of nature. To walk here is to breathe differently, to be lifted and suspended, and to return with memories that feel both vast and intimate.
