Kenauk Nature in Montebello: Trail Report

Kenauk Nature in Montebello: Trail Report

Kenauk Nature is graced with some wonderful hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing trails. They have over 100kms of trails, two waterfalls, and two fire towers that you can climb if brave enough.

Suggested Stops

Montebello for the best chocolate, cheese, and brews.

Important Insights

Day use is permitted for an entry fee but users must be off the property before dusk. If you’re able, download Ondago. It is a free map that hosts both trails and cabin maps for Kenauk Nature. Once downloaded, the GPS in the app works even when offline to help guide you on the trails. The main office also has printed trail maps available.

Land Acknowledgement

These are the lands of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk), 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

Kenauk Nature is private land and self-managed by Kenauk Nature. Their mission is that "Kenauk Nature offers the opportunity to contribute to a unique conservation initiative in the comfort of a luxurious off-grid chalet while trying new and exciting activities that will reconnect you with yourself, your loved ones and nature".

GPS Coordinates

45.71252265009605, -74.88761003047355

Street Address

1000 Chem. Kenauk, Montebello, QC J0V 1L0

Directions

An easy 90 km (roughly 1hr 20 min) drive from downtown Ottawa. Hwy 417 East after St-Laurent, take the split to Hwy 174 East. Approx 8 kms past Orleans, at the lights, turn left from Hwy 17 to the Cumberland/Masson Ferry (24hrs operation, 10$ cash only per vehicle). Exiting the ferry, continue straight then turn right (east) on Main St. / Hwy 148 East. Drive through Thurso, Plaisance, Papineauville, and finally Montebello. Just pass Montebello, turn left (north) on Cote Angele. Follow signs for Kenauk Nature.

Parking

Large parking lot at trailhead.

Cell Reception

Yes

Washrooms

Located at the Nature Centre

Accessibility

No

Trail Details

Entrance Fee

Hours of Operation

All seasons. Open 0900-1700hrs daily.

Trail Map

Available from Kenauk Nature.

Trailhead

Located at the parking lot.

Number of Trails

7

Total Distance (km)

100

Elevation Gain (m)

180

Cell Reception

Yes

Features

Woodlands, Ecological Significance, Interpretive Signs

Activities

Hiking, Birding, Snowshoeing, Skiing, Nature Centre, xCountry Skiing

Dogs

Permitted on-leash.

Trail Description

Trail # 10: The trailhead starts 14.5 kms from the front gate, between Makwa and Wilson cabins on the right (east) side. It is clearly marked with a trail information board. Trail #10 is 8.5kms with an approx. 180m elevation gain. This trail is rated as difficult. We completed this hike in 3.5 hrs during the winter. The trail itself is well marked, 1-2 persons wide, and crosses many streams. It is a steady incline until you reach the lookout. Along the way you’re hiking through an area that is wooded with brush. Once at the lookout, the trail splits. The sign has a written ‘the tower’ on one of the yellow arrows. The other direction, south, is what you take to hike the full loop on the return from the tower. The trail to the tower has slight decline again, followed by a stream crossing before the final incline up to the observation tower. The observation tower is a typical wood and metal structure offering 360′ views from the top. You can spot Mont Tremblant off in the distance! During the winter, the tower windows may be frosted (like it was for us) – giving an obstructed view. Trail #1 With approximately half the distance and half the elevation gain, we saved Trail #1 for Sunday after checkout. Figuring it would be an easy enough one to quickly enjoy before going home. Trail #1: This trail is about 4.5kms total, with multiple elevation points, and is rated as intermediate. The trail head is located about 1 km from the front gate on the right (east) side. There a wooded structure with the trail map and room enough for 1-2 vehicles to park. The trail is very wide and easy to define which is great since the trail markers are more spread out on this one. It starts with a steady gentle incline and takes you through multiple elevation points and a water crossing. On the final incline you can see the break in the trees before you notice the tower itself. This observation tower it higher that the one on trail #10 and also offers 360′ views (great spot for sunrise!) with the Adirondacks in the distance on a clear day. These towers are not for those who are afraid of heights, and although sturdy, climbing them is at your own risk. These towers are not for those who are afraid of heights, and although sturdy, climbing them is at your own risk. Trail #2: One of the two waterfalls on the property, trail #2 is a short and easy 500m trail that ends along the river with a fair sized waterfall. The trailhead is at 2kms from the front gate on the left (west) side, with room for 4-6 vehicles to park. There is a metal gate at the trailhead. In the winter, do not block the gate so that the staff may access it to groom the ski trails. Other Trails: There are also trails #4, #5, #6 (waterfalls), #8, and #9. Hopefully I’ll be able to hike those sooner rather than later and update this hiking guide. For the incredibly adventurous, there is also an 100km trail system. Kenauk Nature states on their website that: “Kenauk Nature is actively working on developing a 100km trail loop on the property. Sections of the trail will be ready for the summer of 2018, allowing self-reliant trekkers to discover the beauty of the property, with set campsites each on the shorelines of a beautiful lake. Hikers will be expected to be self-sufficient, and come with the ethics of “no trace left behind”.”

Other Hiking Trails