Olmsted-designed Mount Royal is a beautiful park in the heart of the city and a signature Montreal run. Wide, well-marked, wooded trails criss-cross the mountain, switchbacking their way to the summit. The highlights of running Mount Royal are up to the 700-foot summit (“Croix”), the entire “up and over”, and the thigh-burning Olmsted Stairs. Take in Beaver Lake (Lac au Castors), and grab a coffee or a snack at the lovely snack bar and changing area. In winter, the trails on Mount Royal are used for cross country skiing, and there’s a renowned sledding area. Beaver Lake is also a popular skating spot – romantic at night! Winter Running Note: there are enough folks on the trails that the snow on popular ones gets packed, so running is possible — especially on Chemin Olmsted. Caution and Yak-Traks advised!
Running Options on Mount Royal
There are many miles of trails on Mount Royal.
Ch. Olmsted in winter. Mark Lowenstein
Chemin Olmsted. This is the best option for an easier, longer run. The wide gravel path is more like a road, as it switchbacks its way up the mountain. We’ve mapped the entire 4.4 km (one-way) path, starting at the Jacques Cartier Statue off Ave. du Parc. The path winds its way up the mountain, passing by Beaver Lake and terminating at the Olmsted Statue. From there, you can add the route to the summit/Croix. Chemin Olmsted can be also be accessed from other areas of the park, including from Beaver Lake.
Summit Loop. Add the 2.2 km summit loop, called the Boucle du Sommet. 3.7 miles RT. Numerous points of access. A good place to start is on off Ave. Des Pins. at the Olmsted Stairs. Downtown access from Peel Ave — straight up Peel to Ave Des Pins. Follow “Chemin Olmstead”, which switch backs you around the mountain, by Beaver Lake, the Cross, and to the Summit. It is a good climb, about 400 feet.
Other Options: The trail map shows the other trail options. Get your heart rate up on the Olmsted Stairs — 374 steps!
Olmsted-designed Mount Royal is a beautiful park in the heart of the city and a signature Montreal run. Wide, well-marked, wooded trails criss-cross the mountain, switchbacking their way to the summit. The highlights of running Mount Royal are up to the 700-foot summit (“Croix”), the entire “up and over”, and the thigh-burning Olmsted Stairs. Take in Beaver Lake (Lac au Castors), and grab a coffee or a snack at the lovely snack bar and changing area. In winter, the trails on Mount Royal are used for cross country skiing, and there’s a renowned sledding area. Beaver Lake is also a popular skating spot – romantic at night! Winter Running Note: there are enough folks on the trails that the snow on popular ones gets packed, so running is possible — especially on Chemin Olmsted. Caution and Yak-Traks advised!
Running Options on Mount Royal
There are many miles of trails on Mount Royal.
Ch. Olmsted in winter. Mark Lowenstein
Chemin Olmsted. This is the best option for an easier, longer run. The wide gravel path is more like a road, as it switchbacks its way up the mountain. We’ve mapped the entire 4.4 km (one-way) path, starting at the Jacques Cartier Statue off Ave. du Parc. The path winds its way up the mountain, passing by Beaver Lake and terminating at the Olmsted Statue. From there, you can add the route to the summit/Croix. Chemin Olmsted can be also be accessed from other areas of the park, including from Beaver Lake.
Summit Loop. Add the 2.2 km summit loop, called the Boucle du Sommet. 3.7 miles RT. Numerous points of access. A good place to start is on off Ave. Des Pins. at the Olmsted Stairs. Downtown access from Peel Ave — straight up Peel to Ave Des Pins. Follow “Chemin Olmstead”, which switch backs you around the mountain, by Beaver Lake, the Cross, and to the Summit. It is a good climb, about 400 feet.
Other Options: The trail map shows the other trail options. Get your heart rate up on the Olmsted Stairs — 374 steps!
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Essentials
Depends on route chosen. Ch. Olmsted is 4.4 km one-way. Summit loop adds 2.2 km
From downtown, good access is Ave. Des Pins. at the Olmsted Stairs; Even easier access is at Ave. de Musee and Ave. Dr. Penfield, there are some stairs there
From downtown: Ave. Des Pins. at the Olmsted Stairs; Also stair access at Ave. de Musée @ Ave. Dr. Penfield. Parking at Beaver Lake (paid)
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.
This is a hilly but rewarding run. Climbing the stairs in front of the iconic St. Joseph's Oratory, and enjoying the residential streets and loop around the summit of Westmount -- one of Montreal's most affluent areas.
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
Depends on route chosen. Ch. Olmsted is 4.4 km one-way. Summit loop adds 2.2 km
From downtown, good access is Ave. Des Pins. at the Olmsted Stairs; Even easier access is at Ave. de Musee and Ave. Dr. Penfield, there are some stairs there
From downtown: Ave. Des Pins. at the Olmsted Stairs; Also stair access at Ave. de Musée @ Ave. Dr. Penfield. Parking at Beaver Lake (paid)
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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!