La Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve: Trail Report

La Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve: Trail Report

Have you ever been to Forêt-la-Blanche? This beaut is a rare gem in that it’s an ecological reserve not far from city life. The flora is untouched and fauna roams wild and free. A great escape to go explore with family and friends.

Suggested Stops

Picked up the littles (my niece and nephew) and headed straight to La Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve! It was a full day planned with this hike first, then Chutes de Plaisance, following by swimming at the local public pool. I may or may not have had the goal of giving the little an adventurous yet full day so that they’d sleep well (and early) – ha ha ha.

Important Insights

No pets (dogs, cats, etc.) allowed on the trails. No harvesting allowed (plants, mushrooms, rocks, etc.). No camping of any form allowed. No fishing allowed. No swimming allowed. No biking allowed

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

High Lonesome Nature Reserve is managed by La Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve. "Having recently won the prestigious “Phénix de l’environnement” award, Forêt-la-Blanche is a leader in environmental education."

GPS Coordinates

45.70977, -75.29566

Street Address

300 Chemin Saddler, Mayo, QC J8L 4L8

Directions

An easy 60 km (roughly 50 mins) drive from downtown Ottawa and 45kms from Orleans. Take the King Edward bridge to cross over to Quebec and stay on hwy 5N. Exit hwy 50 E. Continue on 50E then exit on route 309. Turn left on route 309 then take the first right on to route 315 towards Mayo. Once in Mayo, continue on the 315 following the signs for La Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve.

Parking

Large parking lot at trailhead.

Cell Reception

Yes

Washrooms

Yes, at office.

Accessibility

No

Trail Details

Entrance Fee

15

Hours of Operation

Open 0900-1700hrs daily.

Trail Map

Trailhead

Located at the parking lot.

Number of Trails

6

Total Distance (km)

5

Elevation Gain (m)

10

Cell Reception

Yes

Features

Woodlands, Marshlands, Ecological Significance

Activities

Hiking, Birding, Nature Centre

Dogs

Not permitted.

Trail Description

There are six different trails in Forêt-la-Blanche for visitors to enjoy, varying in length, and each with their own set of lookouts. On recommendation from the guide, we took trail #3 as it had the most bridges and a distance that the kids would tolerate well. The waterfalls along trail #3 is among the advertised highlights of la Forêt-la-Blanche. Along trail #3 you’ll discover Lac aux Herons and Lac Amik, both with long boardwalks and lookouts which makes it an easy section to hike and enjoy. This was a fun section with herons flying, bright red cardinal flowers, and for some reason…the kids loved watching the spiders in some webs along the route. The lakes are in their eco finest, the area is untouched, and wild, and free. There’s something incredibly peaceful and beautiful about it. One of the perks about an ecological reserve? All the natural beauty! The lakes were framed with bright red cardinal flowers along with other wildflowers flaunting purples, yellows, and whites. The trails themselves have wild mushrooms almost at every turn. I definitely don’t know the first thing about mushrooms, but it was still fun for us to see and discover how many variations we could find.

Other Hiking Trails