Spent The Day @ Lake & Hiking The Gatineau Park - Wednesday June 19th 2024

Healthy4Life - Hike & Swim +45 outside
Gatineau Park is a federal park located in the Outaouais region of Quebec, Canada. Administered by the National Capital Commission as part of the National Capital Region, Gatineau Park is a 361 square kilometres wedge of land extending north and west from the city of Gatineau. With a perimeter of 179.2 kilometres, the park includes parts of the municipalities of Chelsea, Pontiac, La Pêche, and the City of Gatineau. The main entrance to the park is 4 kilometres north of downtown Ottawa, Ontario.

The park's area has a long history of human inhabitation and usage predating the arrival of European settlers. Its more recent pre-park history includes various forms of human exploitation such as farming, logging, hunting, and industrial activity. The idea of creating a park in the Gatineau Hills for recreational purposes was proposed as early as 1903. In 1938 money was allotted for the acquisition of Gatineau woodlands and the construction of a parkway.
1. Hike The Pink Lake Gatineau Trail Loop
The Pink Lake hike is a scenic trail that curves along the lake, with a dense forest on the other side, providing shade on hot summer days.

The Pink Lake trail length is a 2.3-kilometer (1.4 miles) long loop, which takes around 1 hour to complete.

There are multiple informational panels along the way where you can learn more about Pink Lake’s ecosystem, as well as the history behind its name.

There are also plenty of lookout platforms and stairs throughout the hike. If you want to know what to expect, a helpful map at the trailhead describes which parts of the trails are stairs, boardwalks, and dirt trails.

The trail is kid-friendly and a beautiful hike to enjoy with family.

Where to look for the trailhead
From the Pink Lake trailhead parking lot, there is a small staircase on the right-hand side. The trail on your left-hand side heading into the woods does NOT lead to Pink Lake.

Hiking Difficulty
The hiking difficulty at Pink Lake is considered easy-intermediate. The path is made up of stairs, ramps, and a few dirt trails. Some of the trails, however, do go over deep bluffs and climb some hills, which is why it is sometimes considered a moderate hike.

Stairs
Be aware that quite a few stairs are on this trail, making this particular hike not universally accessible. If you have any injuries or you’re carrying a stroller, this is not the hike to go on.

Don’t worry, though! You can still visit the beautiful lookout point, as there is a ramp from the parking lot.

Elevation Gain
The total elevation gain throughout the Pink Lake trail loop is 63 meters (209 feet).

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