Chutes Rouge: Trail Report

The secret is out! Chute Rouge is only 1.5 hrs (ish) from Ottawa are wonderful, incredible trails full of highlights like this one. There are plenty of options on this trail system, ranging from a few hundred metres (to see the waterfalls) to over 10kms if you joined some of the trails together for an epic hike.

Suggested Stops

The White Tailed Deer Interpretation Centre is a fantastic family friendly stop with an interpretation centre, incredibly friendly staff, and an opportunity to interact with wildlife. They also have flush washrooms and picnic area onsite.

Important Insights

Make sure you wear covered footwear (aka not sandals) and do not wander off trail. First of all, Pero Outaouais and the local area is very much geared towards protecting the environment. Wandering off trail destroys precious flora and effects the ecosystem in place. Secondly, if that doesn’t move you to stay on trail, this should – there is plenty of poison ivy in the area. Cool. Stay on the marked trails.

Note: You you have two vehicles, you can hike the approximately 4km route from the White Tailed Deer Interpretation Centre to Chute Rouge and then continue exploring the area from there.

Land Acknowledgement

These are the lands of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ and Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin) people.⁠ It is important as avid hikers and stewards of the land, to acknowledge and understand the full story our surroundings along with the people that care for her, both past and present. As sourced from native-land.ca, if there are corrections please send to victoria@girlgonegood.com.

Land Management

Chutes Rouge trail is managed by the PERO Outaouais. PERO Outaouais expertly manages 11 trails in the Outaouais region.

GPS Coordinates

46.29361117766777, -75.86108927278637

Street Address

C.P. 155, 6 Chem. du Barrage, Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau, QC J0X 2X0

Directions

Google “lac la veille” in ‘sainte-thérèse-de-la-gatineau’ to give an idea. Chutes Rouge is between Lac la Veille and Petit Lac Ronde. From Chemin Principal in Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau, turn on to Chemin du lac Michel, and follow the signs for ‘chutes rouge’. Don’t miss the last sign at Rue de Cerf! The parking lot and trailhead is near the end of Rue de Cerf.

There’s a small parking “lot” near the two trailheads. It is indicated by a large map of the area and across from the new Pero Outaouais trail map. There is enough room for perhaps 6 vehicles, although not to worry, this is not a heavily trafficked hiking trail. There is also additional parking further down the road near the camping sites. Driving into the area, you’ll have the chute rouge trailhead on the left, and the ‘le bond’ trailhead on the right (where you park).

Parking

Small parking lot at trailhead.

Cell Reception

Yes

Washrooms

Outhouses located at the parking lot.

Accessibility

Trail Details

Entrance Fee

Hours of Operation

All seasons. Open dawn to dusk daily.

Trail Map

Available from PERO Outaouais.

Trailhead

Located at the parking lot.

Number of Trails

Total Distance (km)

Elevation Gain (m)

Cell Reception

Yes

Features

Woodlands, Ponds

Activities

Hiking

Dogs

Permitted on-leash

Trail Description

There are two lookouts, one on the Chute Rouge trail and the other on the Le Regalis trail. Both lookouts overlook the lake and boast a wonderful landscape in the fall. The highlight of the area are the waterfalls of course! Chute Rouge is nestled between ‘lac de la veille’ and ‘petit lac round’. There’s a beautiful new covered platform for everyone to enjoy the waterfalls from and a new bridge across the water leading to the Chute Rouge, Le Regalis, Lac Lefebvre, and Traverse Est trails. If there is one thing that the vallee-de-la-Gatineau is gifted with – it is all-the-lake-views. Something that I love to enjoy on hiking trails, and that for some reason, immediately feels grounding. #wellnessandwilderness

Other Hiking Trails

AOG Gallery Art Trail in Frankville: Trail Report

Chutes Rouge: Trail Report