Gatineau Park | Ottawa Trip 2018

We never expected to fall so completely in love with Gatineau Park during our Ottawa getaway, but here we are, already planning our return trip! Just a short drive from downtown Ottawa, this incredible park felt like stepping into a completely different world.

The fall colours were absolutely spectacular when we visited in October. Coming from Toronto, we thought we'd seen the best of Ontario's autumn displays, but Gatineau Park took our breath away. We spent hours hiking the Pink Lake Trail (which, fun fact, isn't actually pink!), stopping every few minutes to take photos that honestly didn't do justice to the real thing.

What struck us most was how diverse the landscape felt within just one park. One moment we were walking through dense forest that reminded Samantha of her family's camping trips in Northern Ontario, and the next we were overlooking sweeping valleys that had Amir reminiscing about mountain views from his childhood trips to BC.

The Champlain Lookout was definitely our highlight – the panoramic views across the Ottawa Valley were incredible, especially with the Parliament Buildings visible in the distance. We packed a picnic lunch and spent a good hour just sitting there, talking about how lucky we are to have these natural spaces so close to major cities.

If you're planning an Ottawa trip, definitely carve out at least a full day for Gatineau Park. The hiking trails vary from easy walks to more challenging climbs, so there's something for every fitness level.

Have you explored Gatineau Park? We'd love to hear about your favourite trails or hidden spots we might have missed!