Montréal, June 9, 2026—As Mount Royal Park marks its 150^th anniversary and Les Amis de la montagne commemorates 40 years of protecting and enhancing the mountain, the summer is set to be full of exciting adventures. Guided hikes, sound walks, rowboat rides, outdoor games, and gourmet experiences at the Café des Amis are among the many activities that visitors can enjoy during their visit. These activities invite Montréal residents and tourists to fully appreciate the natural and historical significance of this unique site.

At the Root of the Tree

As an ongoing feature of Mount Royal Park’s 150^th anniversary celebration, At the Root of the Tree is a two-hour immersive sound walk that plunges you into the very core of the park’s history and natural beauty. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about the trees that line the park’s pathways, discovering their unique histories and landscapes that shaped them. This captivating experience will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the park’s rich heritage and the countless stories hidden within its verdant surroundings.

The recent scientific discoveries about trees, the testimonies of experts, and the stories of loyal Mount Royal Park users have inspired this project, which aims to highlight the fragility and exceptional nature of our heritage. It offers a sensitive reflection on our place in the living world.

• An activity by Portrait Sonore, in collaboration with Les Amis de la montagne
• Meeting point: Sir George-Étienne Cartier Monument
• Distance: 4 to 5 km | Trail difficulty: intermediate | Duration: approximately 2h | Accessible at all times
• For everyone, ages 16 and up | Free, no registration needed
• Accessible on the free Portrait Sonore mobile application, available in the App Store and Google Play.

Note: to enhance your walk experience, we recommend downloading the audio files beforehand to minimize data usage. Make sure you are connected to a Wi-Fi network or have adequate mobile data. Also, remember to enable location access for the app in your device settings, and bring good headphones.

Frederick Law Olmsted Legacy: Exploring the Therapeutic Value of Mount Royal

Part of the 150^th anniversary of Mount Royal Park, this hike invites you to discover the vision of its designer, Frederick Law Olmsted, who wanted to improve the health and well-being of Montrealers, as well as the legacy of Les Hospitalières, whose garden, a true jewel of the Mount Royal heritage site, has played different roles throughout history. The walk takes participants from the garden of the Hospitalières monastery (Cité-des-Hospitalières) to the Camillien-Houde Lookout.

• An activity by Les Amis de la montagne and the Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal
• Meeting point: Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, 201, Pine Ave. West
• Distance: 3 km | Trail difficulty: intermediate | Duration: 3h | For everyone, ages 12 and up
• Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Thursday, July 9, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Mountain’s Best-Kept Secrets

Located on the eastern slope of Mount Royal Park, this hike is an invitation to be enchanted by the Piedmont woodland, its flora and rock formations. Participants will discover, through games, the many hidden secrets of the park. A great way to learn while having fun, whether you are 5 or 88!

• An activity by Les Amis de la montagne
• Meeting point: Sir George-Étienne Cartier Monument
• Distance: approximately 2 km | Trail difficulty: easy | Duration: 2h | For families, ages 5 and up
• Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Saturday, July 11, 2026, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Saturday, August 22, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon

Summit Woods, the Mountain’s Hidden Gem

Little frequented, Summit Woods is a true hidden gem of Mount Royal. This hike gives you the opportunity to explore wooded trails where nature reigns supreme and to discover the history of this protected area, its unique biodiversity and the evolution of its landscape over the years. Between dense forest and unexpected viewpoints, this route reveals a new side of the mountain, far from the busier trails.

• An activity by Les Amis de la montagne
• Meeting point: Côte-des-Neiges Metro Station, 5316, Côte-des-Neiges Rd.
• Distance: approximately 3 km | Trail difficulty: intermediate | Duration: 2h30 | For everyone, ages 12 and up
• Schedule: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Thursday, July 23, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Saturday, August 29, 2026, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Shinrin Yoku Walk on Mount Royal 

Inspired by Japanese forest bathing, this walk, led by our certified guide Éric Richard, offers slow sensory immersion, fostering relaxation, contemplation and connection to nature. This walk invites you to anchor yourself in the present moment while letting yourself be carried away by the natural and historical landscape of Tiohtià:ke Otsira'kéhne Park.

• An activity by Les Amis de la montagne and the Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal
• Meeting point: Édouard-Montpetit Metro Station, 2040, Édouard-Montpetit Blvd.
• Distance: approximately 2 km | Trail difficulty: easy | Duration: 3h | For everyone, ages 16 and up 
• Schedule: Saturday, September 12, 2026, 9 a.m. to noon | Free (registration starts August 10, 2026)

Registration for activities, pricing information, and payment of fees (40% discount for the 40^th anniversary of Les Amis on selected activities): https://www.lemontroyal.qc.ca/en/public-programming 

Rowboats and Outdoor Games: Activities for the Whole Family

Les Amis de la montagne offers rowboat rides until the end of September 2026, as well as a selection of outdoor games for young and old: Mölkky (Finnish bowling), Spikeball, Cornhole and, new this year, Pickleball and Disc golf, very popular.

The rental service is installed at the leaning kiosk near Bever Lake, from June 20 to August 30, 2026, every day, depending on weather conditions; in September, Saturdays and Sundays only.

Information: https://www.lemontroyal.qc.ca/en/rowboats-and-outdoor-games 

Le Café des Amis: Gourmet Experience, Beverages and Ice Cream

The Café des Amis is located at the Beaver Lake Pavilion and the Mount Royal Chalet. Each offers its own signature snacks and menu choices for families, hikers, and other park users to enjoy. Whether you need a quick snack, a refreshing beverage or a full meal, the Café des Amis has it all. New this summer: slush, matcha and iced cappuccino; new sandwich recipes; and delicious soft serve ice cream.

“This summer, we wish to invite the public to rediscover Mount Royal: through hiking, listening, playing, contemplation and the thrill of being outside. On this anniversary year, each activity is also an opportunity to remember that this exceptional park is a living heritage that needs to be loved, understood and protected,” emphasizes Christophe Derrien, Executive Director of Les Amis de la montagne.

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Photo credits: © Les Amis de la montagne