A Guide To Mount Royal Park, Montreal

Mount Royal Montreal
Karina
Karina 
Updated
| 4 min read

Montreal is a beautiful mixture of North American atmosphere and European cosmopolitan charm, a blend of history, culture, fine dining, architecture, and lush greenery. Tourists can stay in hotels with parking near the airport in Montreal for convenience. If you want to experience a luxurious stay, there are also a few mansion rentals located here. While the city is buzzing with events and activities day and night, locals and tourists alike sometimes look for a quick escape, a place where time slows down, without having to leave the city. That magic place is Mount Royal Park, a mountain in the middle of the city, a large outdoor area sprinkled with vibrant vegetation and abundant wildlife. The park sits on a hill in Montreal, west of the city’s downtown area. Read on as we go for an adventure on the trails and alleys, and discover the best things to do and eat, and how to get there. Here’s a guide to Mount Royal Park, Montreal.

Things to do / Highlights

View of downtown Montreal and Mount Royal-panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jiaqian AirplaneFan used under CC BY 3.0

Once in Mount Royal Park, the things to do and see are abundant. A space for the entire family, Mount Royal has activities for all ages, no matter the season or weather. Take a look below if you’re unsure of what to do in Mount Royal Park:

Explore the park on foot

One of the best ways to explore as much of the park as possible is through a walking tour. Whether you decide to wander on your own or join a discovery walk, it’s a great way to spot wildlife and admire the abundant flora on warm days. Come winter, join an organized snowshoe excursion and enjoy the fresh air while keeping yourself warm with a cup of hot chocolate.

Winter sports galore

As soon as the snow covers the once lush greenery of the park, Mount Royal becomes a winter sports paradise, where people come for ice skating under the starry sky, snow tubing on the hills overlooking Beaver Lake, and even cross-country skiing. There are lots of organized events available for all ages.

Activities for the warmer days

Trade the heated city streets with the shaded forest paths in Mount Royal Park. Come summer, the park welcomes visitors to go paddling on Beaver Lake, rent a remote-controlled sailboat, or stay on dry land and explore the trails. There are lots of outdoor cafes to cool off, as well as other events to take part in.

Volunteer

The park hosts a variety of events meant to protect the park and raise awareness on different environmental issues. Join other volunteers during the annual Mountain Clean-up Day or become a volunteer birdwatcher.

Point of interest

While exploring the park, make sure you spot some of its landmarks, including Smith House, a former private residence, and Beaver Lake Pavillion. Check out Camillien-Houde and Kondiaronk belvedere spots for breathtaking panoramic views of the city from high above.

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What to eat

Camillien-Houde lookout
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Roisinroci used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Café Suspendu

After a day packed with activities on Mount Royal, you’ll be looking forward to sitting down for a snack and a drink. Luckily, there are lots of cafes in the park. We recommend stopping at Camillien-Houde Belvedere on the north-eastern slope of the mountain to enjoy the panoramic vistas, and savor a drink and a bite to eat at the on-site Café Suspendu. They serve a variety of drinks, from hot chocolate and coffee to beer and wine. You can also order snacks like hummus and pita bread and fruit salad. The café is open only in the summer and fall months.

If you wish to eat at any restaurant in Montreal other than the available cafes in the park, then there are a few best restaurants to indulge in your favorite food.

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Travelers tips

Fallen leaves @ Mount Royal @ Ville-Marie @ Montreal (30298114452)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Guilhem Vellut used under CC BY 2.0

Accessibility

The buildings in Mount Royal Park (Mount Royal Chalet, Beaver Lake Pavilion, and Smith House) are all wheelchair-accessible and have special amenities for people with disabilities.

Dog-friendly

While Mount Royal is a dog-friendly park, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times to ensure the safety of your pet, other animals in the park, and other park guests.

Don’t feed the animals

Mount Royal is home to lots of animals, including - but not limited to - raccoons. For safety and health reasons, feeding wildlife is not permitted.

Park rules and regulations

Mount Royal has several rules and regulations concerning safety and security in the park, as well as keeping the nature intact and protecting its animals. Make sure you check out the full set of rules and regulations on the park’s website.

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How to get there

Road in Mount Royal Park
Source: Photo by user Robbie Sproule used under CC BY 2.0

Bike

One of the most convenient ways of accessing Mount Royal Park is by bike. There are several options available: via the Du Parc entrance and Olmsted Path, the Peel entrance, and Serpentine Path. These paths are reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.

Public transport

Since Mount Royal is such a vast park, there are several ways to get there by bus. Lines 11, 80, and 165 all stop near the park.

Car

If you’d rather drive to the park, you can leave your car on one of the two paid parking lots on the premises and pay the allotted parking fee. It is difficult to drive, if you’re wondering how to get to the Mount Royal lookout by car. You must only walk from the parking lot which is five-minutes to the Belvedere point and Mount Royal Chalet.

Walk

Mount Royal Park is such a beautiful place to explore, so you can always warm up on the way to the park and get there on foot. There are several entrances available, so you can access the park depending on where you’re coming from.

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Mount Royal Park information

Beaver Lake @ Mount Royal @ Montreal
Source: Photo by user Guilhem Vellut used under CC BY 2.0

Mount Royal Park

Address: 1260 Remembrance Road, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1A2 Canada

Official website: Mount Royal Park

Department of tourism: Discover Montreal

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Montréal: Electric Fat Tire Bike Ride on Mount Royal

Duration: 2.0 hour

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Karina, a content creator rooted in Bucharest, Romania, embodies the spirit of a globetrotter. Her fascination with the beloved series F.R.I.E.N.D.S and a fervent love for coffee add vibrant layers...Read more

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