Gault Nature Reserve of McGill University — Attraction in Mont-Saint-Hilaire

One of my favourite places for a day hike, and it's only an hour from Montreal by car. Unlike municipal, provincial, or national parks, this is a privately endowed nature reserve—harkening back to a time when Anglo philanthropy built and nurtured communities, rather than bureaucratic, Catholic-minded top-down institutionalism.

Pretty much the entire trail, and every loop, is fully wooded. You’re under tree cover, shaded, very gently squeezed by nature’s fingers. The leaves are a uniform light green, the ground a medium brown, and the sunlight that filters through is diffuse, creating a dreamy and soothing atmosphere.

It’s never overly busy, likely due to the day pass system that limits tickets for different times in the day, so visitors stagger in.

Going up and down the mountain is about 12,000 steps. The uphill climb will make you sweat and pant, giving you that satisfying, post-hike feeling of exertion—but not overexertion—especially since you’re mostly shaded and safe from sunstroke.

The reserve also has a rich history, as seen in the photo I’ve added. Gault was a fascinating and classy guy—he served in the Wars and donated this land to McGill. It was a place for him to walk and clear his thoughts, and he wanted to share that with others. He even has a Wikipedia page.

Once you're about 10 min into the trail, it's incredibly quiet. I think it’s something about the sound absorption of the trees and the low number of people. It feels very still.

I’ve done this trail nearly a dozen times. It’s a great spot to go with a friend, on a date, or with family. Perfect for quality time to walk and talk....

Of all the years, this one was the worse. I used to love coming here. Today a MONDAY, they had limited places per certain number of hours?? I mean LA RONDE would never.. And we are talking about WALKING IN NATURE. THE STAFF don't care about anything. One came up to my window as I was purchasing my ticket on the side (like I always do), and she bang on my window and start yelling. I mean lady, if you do NOT like your job, there are plenty. It gives a bad reputation to Saint-Hilaire town and people. Even Mont-Royal is always overcrowded and never they would turn people away. Oh an now it is almost 10$. I may never come back again. Such a shame because the view up there is magnificent. The stress of the entering is bad enough to leave a bad taste and ruin what should be a great experience. Oh and even with a ticket, there is a wait at...

Drove from Montreal to take a nature walk on the mountain. Never passed the front gate, apparently you require a reservation to hike up a mountain? Hello..... Its a mountain, means its big, means there is plenty of space. Doesn't matter that I just drove an hour to support your little town, all those little lunch spots, parking spaces, tourist attraction, ice cream shops and cafés are alive because people from Montreal come for the day. Turned us around, waste of time. 30-50 infected people in a province of 9 million, wake up everyone, time to say its enough, time to say its ridiculous that I can't walk on a mountain trail without a reservation! You think I'll be coming back, no chance! So don't ask why your job is eliminated when people are fed up of being sheep following your...