Gatineau Park — Attraction in Gatineau

I need to leave a bad review for Gatineau Park.

We rarely have a good experience in Gatineau Park these days, mostly it is stressful rather than relaxing in nature.

In short: Management is making the PARK INACCESSIBLE to most people, other than people who have a certain high level of physical fitness who can bike the hills, and those who can afford expensive bikes that can go up the hills. The make-shift school buses they use are FEW AND FAR in between, long lines inside stops, sometimes the vehicles don’t have enough seating (the small school bus). Buses don’t stop in Ottawa/Hull, only in weekends/holidays, making it EVEN MORE inaccessible.

Meaning you have to drive to the visitors center, buy a bike attachment for your car, and still bike inside the hills on most days.

It really is a veritable gem for Ottawa/Gatineau. But there are problems that could be DANGEROUS. It literally is a stone’s throw away from where I live in Hull BUT I’ve only been there 3 times this year, only when we have guests, and during the autumn season colors. What’s the problem:

The Website lists that cars can come in on certain dates from NOON TO DUSK. You arrive with your whole family, and NO EXPLANATION at all, no signs, park personnel block off the entrance and ask you to “go away”, with traffic behind you and not much time to talk. You circle back after 15 minutes and for some reason the personnel that blocked the road have now left and you can pass. No EXPLANATION. Inside finally, cars AND cyclists DANGEROUSLY share a narrow 2 lane road, that twists and turns and goes uphill, with traffic piling behind the bikers, many cars trying to overtake the bicycles along the twisting, uphill roads. SUGGESTION: (CARS and BIKES should not allowed at the same time in Gatineau Park. Bikers have majority of the days, exclusive access to the park. Cars should have exclusive access days. In terms of accessibility, cars are more accessible to people because it’s a very difficult bike ride in Gatineau Park.) Park personnel block off all entrances to parking areas, saying they are “complet” or full, EVEN if there are visible free parking spaces inside. Cars not allowed to park on the side of the road. In other words, there’s nowhere to go. The only place we could stop and leave the car was Champlain Lookout. Park personnel do not explain nor are they empathetic about coming to Gatineau Park with everything blocked off. As mentioned above, long lines for the make-shift buses, with early last bus times, and buses with not enough seating. Bus schedule has a lot of time in between, and very early last trip, otherwise you’d be stuck...

In turn fir a 6 night stay. We headed unfortunately before noon on a weekday ( not understanding closures). Parkway closed unless you are athletic with a bike or on there is a periodic bus ( we did not see it while we were there). Sorry we are older so cannot cope with that. While it’s great to provide quiet car free times, on a super quiet weekday seemed strange. No one seemed to be going on the parkway. But plenty of folk doing U turns. And what about folk with accessibility issues or just older? We left to visit Wakefield ( awesome by the way!).

Day 2. Friday. Headed back. It’s now accessible as open. Headed to a lookout. 9 parking spots so that was a no stop. Headed to Champlain lookout. Lovely!!! The leaves were perfect snd it was a lovely day. Wonderful fresh air. We are not so gimpy yet that we couldn’t handle a short trail which was lovely and took us to another view spot. All 4 of us enjoyed immensely abc enjoyed reading about the geology etc etc. With a stick it was a doable walk.

Then to the washrooms. We travel the national parks alllll the time and use the outhouses. Like them fine. We have never seen any that have pretty well no natural light. I held the door open for one of us. Another used the flash light function on phone, etc. there are windows but they are covered probably as they are too low. Hint. Covered means no light. We saw similar structures and they are being used for other purposes with the windows uncovered. Nice structures but someone needs to figure out users need a bit of light. Maybe add a skylight? Obviously NCC staff don’t use these toilets otherwise they would realize the issue. So folk, pee in the bush behind or bring a head lamp. Too funny how project managers don’t think of the...

Today, i visited my favourite hiking park during this COVID-19 lockdown period, and my oh my, what a wonderful experience it turned out to be. I really missed this park.

What to do: Hiking, Snowshoeing, Biking, Running, Body Exercises, Yoga/Meditation, Walk dogs, Photography, Birds Watching.

What Makes It Interesting: It is one of those parks where you could get actually natural body exercise. The trails are natural, not paved, so you get to work every body muscle. The trail consists of elevation, so your legs and body get great exercise. There's also bike trails for mountain biking.

Tips: Park the car on street in closet neighborhood because there is no official parking place yet. Drop current location pin on Google maps if you think you could get lost. Bring a snack because you'll get hungry. Bring a doggy bag if plan on walking your dog. Yoga mat if you plan on spending time on the top...