This is a challenging, yet rewarding tour of one of Montreal’s toniest residential areas, we well as the iconic St. Joseph’s Oratory. Starting at the Westmount location of one of Montreal’s best running stores, Running Room (Coin des Coureurs), you’ll quickly get a sense of the “Mount” part of Westmount, heading straight uphill toward The Boulevard. Then, head downhill, on Roslyn Ave., and onto Cedar Crescent. There are good sidewalks throughout.
View from lookout
After a brief jaunt on Chemin Queen Mary, you will enter the Oratory grounds. This super-imposing shrine, built in the 1930s, is Canada’s largest church. Though perhaps not 100% appropriate, we’ll have you run up the steps (avoid the middle section where pilgrims mount on their knees) toward the dome. Total number of stairs is 270 if you want to go to the top. Make sure you end up on the side stairs (see picture), and then through the upper parking lot, to small road that turns left uphill at the Brother André statue. This will take you to the area of upper Westmount, where you’ll do a tour of the summit, which includes a lookout with a great view of the city. The final mile of the route heads straight down hill, passing Murray Park, about halfway down. Note you will be taking an Olmstedian ‘stair path’ off Summit Crescent, which provides an express route to the Boulevard.
This is a challenging, yet rewarding tour of one of Montreal’s toniest residential areas, we well as the iconic St. Joseph’s Oratory. Starting at the Westmount location of one of Montreal’s best running stores, Running Room (Coin des Coureurs), you’ll quickly get a sense of the “Mount” part of Westmount, heading straight uphill toward The Boulevard. Then, head downhill, on Roslyn Ave., and onto Cedar Crescent. There are good sidewalks throughout.
View from lookout
After a brief jaunt on Chemin Queen Mary, you will enter the Oratory grounds. This super-imposing shrine, built in the 1930s, is Canada’s largest church. Though perhaps not 100% appropriate, we’ll have you run up the steps (avoid the middle section where pilgrims mount on their knees) toward the dome. Total number of stairs is 270 if you want to go to the top. Make sure you end up on the side stairs (see picture), and then through the upper parking lot, to small road that turns left uphill at the Brother André statue. This will take you to the area of upper Westmount, where you’ll do a tour of the summit, which includes a lookout with a great view of the city. The final mile of the route heads straight down hill, passing Murray Park, about halfway down. Note you will be taking an Olmstedian ‘stair path’ off Summit Crescent, which provides an express route to the Boulevard.
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Essentials
4.55 miles RT
626 feet
Running Room (Coin des Coureurs) store, 4873 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest (near Victoria)
Mount Royal defines the city and this Olmsted-designed park is the iconic Montreal run. Many km of hilly trails, from the wide, 4.4 km Chemin Olmsted, to some more rugged options. Try the summit loop or the 374 Olmsted Stairs! Access from downtown, other points.
A national historic site, the Lachine Canal is a lovely linear park, following the historic canal and its series of locks. A great run is to start at the famous Atwater Market, to its terminus in Lachine.
Montreal has a wonderfully preserved and refurbished old port and old city. There are numerous running options, down to the paths in the Old Port and the “Basin de Horloge”, and passing the famous Notre Dame church.
Lovely urban park with fields, statues, paths, and cafes. One can put together a good couple of miles within the parks's paths. For a longer run, the adjoining Plateau neighborhood is fun. Or do a bagel run to Fairmont Bagel!
Our favorite Montreal residential neighborhoods for running are Westmount, the Town of Mount Royal and Outremont. In the city's east end, the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie is a classic Montreal neighborhood.
Run the sites of the 1976 Olympic Games and adjacent Maisonneuve Park for a nice 6-7 km route. The adjacent residential neighborhoods of Montreal's east end are also good for running, especially the Rosemont-La Petite-Patri neighborhood
A unique and spectacular route, running from downtown to St. Helen’s Island, site of Montreal’s historic Expo 67. The island is now a large park, with pleasant walking/running paths and lovely views of the St. Lawrence River.
Some of the most scenic running in Montreal. Gorgeous, park-like paths along the St. Lawrence River, with loops around Parc René-Lévesque and the Prom. Père-Marquette. Option to extend further west through several waterfront parks.
A 13.5 mile long path along the St. Lawrence River, from Verdun to Parc René-Lévesque in Lachine. Take in the magnificent views of Lac Saint-Louis and the spectacular Lachine rapids.
Angrignon Park has wonderful walking trails through woods and around ponds. It's nearby a metro stop. Can also combine with the paved trail along the Aqueduct Canal, and even the Lachine Rapids paths.
Wonderful running options on this island that sits between the city of Montreal and the South Shore. 10+ km of waterfront park paths on the island, a lovely path to Verdun, the Ice Control Structure path, and connections to the Champlain Bridge.
Some 25 km of multi-use paths celebrating the St. Lawrence River. Run over the Champlain Bridge on a new pedestrian path. The 'Ice Control' & Petite Voie du Fleuve bike paths run literally on the river, with great views of the water and Montreal skyline.
Lakeshore Drive goes for 25+ km along the St. Lawrence River from Lachine to Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. Many sections have lovely water views and attractive homes. We've mapped the entire route, with recommended sections.
Some nice, large parks for running on Montreal's West Island. The centerpiece is Centennial Park, which features ~3 km of paths. 2 km east of there is Bois-de-Liesse Nature Park, which has 5+ km of wooded nature trails. Combine the two for a ~15k!
Scenic running on 10+ km of pedestrian and cycle paths in this park along the Prairies River in Montreal North. Combination of paths along the river and interior, wooded trails. The park features a historic mill, cafe, and other facilities.
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Essentials
4.55 miles RT
626 feet
Running Room (Coin des Coureurs) store, 4873 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest (near Victoria)
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!